ptsd Triggers...do You Know What They Are?

[halos2]

Triggers...wow what a common subject brought about to us, especially those with PTSD(other mental/behavioral conditions).

So you are diagnosed with PTSD. You put in your va claim because you can't take it anymore...you wait...maybe get a c&p with-in a year, if lucky.

Then wait ...tension builds, you become more irritable, this does not just effect your mental status, but all of your body systems. You go through all the gambits, depression, maybe addictions, laugh/mostly cry, yell, fight, avoidance, introvert, or extrovert s/s, secrets abound you, paranoia sets in...you wait... scream, isolate yourself, demand to others"I am not crazy!"...you don't sleep, or you lock yourself in a room and try to use sleep as your coping mechanism...waiting for a reply, you check the mail, call the va#'s but it just increases the anxiety. Still waiting on your claim..grant/deny/low ball/appeal/bva/etc.

There are so many symptoms we all go through but how we can try to cope with these is something we all have to hopefully find to HELP us along the way. To have some type of sanity in our disturbed life. Finding some solace.

I think here at hadit I personally can find some peace, even if a brief moment..I find "friends" who don't really know me but care about me...care to listen/read and mostly offer encouragement, in a very private place where I can be me, no judgements/no phoney bologna just me. They can be frank and direct and still show kindness and compassion.

I had some issues at the VA yesterday, and as it progressed my B/P and Pulse rose...thump thump thump my head was pounding and I could feel my pulse abounding in every nerve/muscle of my body...I requested the policy and procedures they were trying to use with me...after 30 minutes they gave me a copy"I was right there was nothing in them that validated what they were doing/why they were doing it...I won, but I lost as they say"We have the right to change blah blah blah...But I made it known to put in addendum of exception rule? Who know...

My point I contacted Pete53 prior...can I change it/probably not...is it worth it to let them with "their triggers"(or as I chose my triggers at that moment) make me physically and mentally and emotionally sick? No...I stepped away cried, got more pissed off, then took his advice, don't let them make you sick! Yes I know easier said then done, but the more anxious I got the more it dawned to me..."Let it be and Think of me!' Went to a 3 hour pain group after this...did a relaxation exercise and told EVERYONE ABOUT HADIT!

I think I get caught up in the system and let the "triggers" run me instead of stepping back and "letting it be and thinking of me." That I will try to use as my new motto, at least sometimes/maybe/hopefully. What can I change/not/accept and LIVE.

Today I will try to avoid some triggers, if not I will try to choose to accept what I can and breathe...breathe...deeply breathe...BTW I have known the techniques for years but application has not been practiced.

Thanks to so many friends here at hadit letting a hard headed right person vent!! :D

Edited October 27, 2009 by halos2

[Commander Bob]

Yes, when the VA practically accuses you of blowing yourself up on purpose it does motivate you to really go at them. They bring it on themselves by their disgraceful treatment of vets,...

Yes john, I've heard it all... I once had a VA MSW councilor tell me that I did not have to go into that mine field. I have had several doctors and caregivers call my combat wounds , an accident. I wouldn't call it an accident, when the enemy was trying to do it on purpose...LOL Several times I've been told it was my own fault.

Edited November 1, 2009 by Commander Bob

[halos2]

What really gauls me is like you guys stated...anxiety and depression were the diagnoses used way back then...with the advent of PTSD diagnosis code, things clumped more together and alis depression, anxiety were definitive reasons noted in the new ways looked at PTSD.

So what about diagnoses in 1968, 69,70 which clearly note anxiety and depression...medications ordered for these conditions...outpatient treatment ordered yet the military refused to schedule such...after discharge the vet sought out treatment for the anxiety/depression and took medication on and off for years...

stays over busy/working/attending college/raising a family/never sleeps over 1-2 hrs/does not take time off, no time to focus on self/as memories-trauma try's to creep in/stay busy...finally has an operation and forced into retirement...all the FEELINGS EXPLODE...

so waits..becomes zombie-like puts in claim and low and behold granted 30% for PTSD...puts in appeal, wait we the VA think she died so d/c and family ordered to pay back last mth compensation...Notified by HAND DELIVERY vet is alive...so they propose to sever...WTF...The va rater stated no PTSD in file just depression and anxiety( and she wrote the VA cued itself when they gave the 30% in error ...personal hearing had and 50% granted. So how is it some can see how PTSD signs/symptoms can/do demonstrate anxiety and depression, and others don't know their butt from a hole in the ground.

Just venting now...........or should I say ranting and raving as I have time time time but not on my side...boo hoo bad day for me.

Edited November 2, 2009 by halos2

[Commander Bob]

What really gauls me is like you guys stated...anxiety and depression were the diagnoses used way back then...with the advent of PTSD diagnosis code, things clumped more together and alis depression, anxiety were definitive reasons noted in the new ways looked at PTSD.

So what about diagnoses in 1968, 69,70 which clearly note avxiety and depression...medications ordered for these conditions...outpatient treatment ordered yet the military refused to schedule such...after discharge the vet sought out treatment for the anxiety/depression and took medication on and off for years...

stays over busy/working/attending college/raising a family/never sleeps over 1-2 hrs/does not take time off, no time to focus on self/as memories-trauma try's to creep in/stay busy...finally has an operation and forced into retirement...all the FEELINGS EXPLODE...

so waits..becomes zombie-like puts in claim and low and behold granted 30% for PTSD...puts in appeal, wait we the VA think she died so d/c and family ordered to pay back last mth compensation...Notified by HAND DELIVERY vet is alive...so they propose to sever...WTF...The va rater stated no PTSD in file just depression and anxiety( and she wrote the VA cued itself when they gave the 30% in error ...personal hearing had and 50% granted. So how is it some can see how PTSD signs/symptoms can/do demonstrate anxiety and depression, and others don't know their butt from a hole in the ground.

Just venting now...........or should I say ranting and raving as I have time time time but not on my side...boo hoo bad day for me.

It gauls me too, sometimes, halos2. However we are still here and we are still breathing. Besides, who knows what tomorrow will bring. Best wishes. Hang in there...

[john999]

I think it is called blaming the victim. I never thought of myself as a victim by being sent to Vietnam, but I did not know those who were supposed to care for me would treat me like a leper. I hear people say they were spat on by hippies. It was the VA that spat on me.

[Wings]

Thanks John, ... I am prepared for anything after reading the VA's letter of denial. I'm surprised I was not accused of willful misconduct for my actions in Vietnam. Actually I was 18 years old, serving in a light weapons infantry line company, as an RTO, when I entered a mine field along with my company commander to render aid to several comrades who were wounded, dying, and trapped. Incoming fire was reported. I survived till the 4th explosion, and was severely wounded when someone close by trip an IED. The incident was well documented. I have many after action reports, as well as many expert accounts of that Sunday morning. As coincidence would have it, I found in my military doctors' notes and other medical reports during my treatment and immediate recovery that indicate, what we now would label as PTSD. Of course, at the time, with the lack of knowledge of PTSD, the symptoms went untreated. Hindsight clearly shows that I have the nexus in my military and early VA medical records. I have had VASRD's of 9400 and 9410 and even an early-on NSC rating for a nervous condition. LOL. The denial letter is a pathetic attempt to underplay my combat wounds and activity in RVN. Forty years ago, survival guilt embarrassment and for other reasons, I let all that ride. However, as I sit and stew over this denial letter, and recall all the injustice to other vets I have witnessed over the years and have read here on Hadit, the more I fell motivated to compel the VA to grant all the SC conditions that goes along with getting blown up at eighteen years old. Even if it takes another twenty years. Again, thanks for your support and advice.

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Bob, You're a smart man. I know you see their errors, clearly, and I trust you will see your claim through to the bitter end, and then you will have some peace. I'm sorry you have to deal with this recent denial, let us know if you need any support. ~Wings

[Wings]

What really gauls me is like you guys stated...anxiety and depression were the diagnoses used way back then...with the advent of PTSD diagnosis code, things clumped more together and alis depression, anxiety were definitive reasons noted in the new ways looked at PTSD.

So what about diagnoses in 1968, 69,70 which clearly note avxiety and depression...medications ordered for these conditions...outpatient treatment ordered yet the military refused to schedule such...after discharge the vet sought out treatment for the anxiety/depression and took medication on and off for years...

stays over busy/working/attending college/raising a family/never sleeps over 1-2 hrs/does not take time off, no time to focus on self/as memories-trauma try's to creep in/stay busy...finally has an operation and forced into retirement...all the FEELINGS EXPLODE...

so waits..becomes zombie-like puts in claim and low and behold granted 30% for PTSD...puts in appeal, wait we the VA think she died so d/c and family ordered to pay back last mth compensation...Notified by HAND DELIVERY vet is alive...so they propose to sever...WTF...The va rater stated no PTSD in file just depression and anxiety( and she wrote the VA cued itself when they gave the 30% in error ...personal hearing had and 50% granted. So how is it some can see how PTSD signs/symptoms can/do demonstrate anxiety and depression, and others don't know their butt from a hole in the ground.

Just venting now...........or should I say ranting and raving as I have time time time but not on my side...boo hoo bad day for me.

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Halos, The VA has put you through claims hell. Give it back to them, and just marry them! LOL! ZLike they say, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." ~Wings