Hello,
I am looking for some advice on what may be going on in my life. I spent several years in the Navy and did 4 tours in Iraq mostly deployed with marine units. I always felt like I got through it all without to many problems. I am 27 and currently work for a transit authority. In my job I have to spend alot of time around large groups of people and in the last few months I have started becoming increasingly more uncomfortable in this setting. I find myself constantly watching the people around me on the trains. I notice the folks that have luggage or large bags and tend to distance myself from them. It makes me very nervous to have someone close by whose hands I cant see if they have them in their pockets. I tend to make sure I dont have folks standing behind me if I can help it. When I work around the buses loud noise surprise me alot more than they used to and tend to make me extremely nervous. I dont really have nightmares but I have had several times that I will wake up disoriented and looking for my gun and my gear. I have heard about things like PTSD and others but had never really associated any of this to myself. I just have noticed a change in myself that I cant really explain and it bothers me. I dont really consider myself depressed I tend to be an upbeat person but I have noticed once again in the last few months a decrease in alot of the motivation I used to show about the same time everything else started happening. I tend to spend alot of time on different forums and have gotten alot of advice about different things in the past and thats one of the reasons I wanted to start here and see what some folks may have to say about my situation. I know this isnt alot of info to go off of but maybe someone can ask me some questions that I havent thought to ask myself. Thanks for any help and replys I get from this.

Hi int1navy, and welcome to the forum. I don't think anyone here can diagnose you with PTSD. You will have to get that from your doctor. On the left side of the screen there are links to click on. One is PTSD forms. Read them and see if those can help answer your questions about your condition.

Good luck!
Tammy

Welcome to the forum....

I would suggest that you go see a therapist or psychiatrists as soon as possible. If you do have PTSD it will be much easier on you to start dealing with it now as to later.

Hi, Int1navy,

Welcome; you're in a good place here. A safe place.

Take a good look around the forum -- you will find many kindred spirits, no matter the source of our challenges. Anthony, the primary moderator here, has posted a list of good books to read, and other resources.

Check things out...ask lots of questions...see what others have written that "jives" with your own experience. There are lots of posts from folks who have soldiered.

I can't help but think that simply being in the military is a source of major stress. My husband served in the Canadian military and has had his share of horrifying moments.

My heart goes out to you -- four tours in Iraq.

I'd suggest getting an appointment with your physician and going from there (re: referrals to someone who specializes in PTSD/depression ... someone you can begin exploring your concerns and symptoms with).

Sending you best wishes for your journey and well-being...

Roo

Hi int1navy,

I think one of the things that you should do along with the other's advise is to go and talk to your nearest VA rep. He or She can get you hooked up with VA doctors and therapists who have a lot of experience now with PTSD and if it turns out you do have it you can file for VA disability. I've done 2 tours with the 101st ABN as an Infantryman and along with my other symptoms anxiety has really been a big one for me. I basically hate going out in public at all and being in traffic is a killer on my nerves.

I hope this helps,

BigGun1

welcome to the forum. i am currently in the army as a medic and i suffer from similar things as you have stated. i don't think it is entirely uncommon to have feelings stuffed away in a closet and then one day they do reappear. and after as many deployments as you have been through, it may take some time to trace down exactly what you are dealing with. i will say this though based off from what you have said. think about the way you were trained to operate out in iraq. does it seem to fit with some of the things you're dealing with now? military training in a civillian environment doesn't fit. its not normal. i mean, how many people do you see standing at parade rest for another in the civ world? best advice...get checked out to find out what it is, just to be safe. if you need help, just ask. respectfully, SM