ptsd Ptsd Info / Va & Dod Directives

[PayBack]

FYI,

According to the directives, it says that a family practioner CAN diagnos and treat PTSD. Check it out and comment, please...

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPub...asp?pub_ID=1391

http://www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/PTSD/G/ptsd-04-2.pdf

[Berta]

Regardless veteran -you will need proof of the stressors.

Eye witness accounts or anything whatsoever that proves what happened when-

If you get a buddy statement- have the buddy be very specific as to what unit they were in and when (should be same as your unit most of the time), the date and place as best as they recall,describe the stressor,describe how it involved you- and then they sign it, have it notarized and they should put their phone number and email addy on it too.

The VA does call buddys once in a while for a claim.

Also if you can access any old news account -Stars and Stripes has a archive- etc- anything at all published that can prove the stressor,when you were involved in it-even any base newsletter-

This is what VA needs.

My point veteran is- in about an hour I will see a documentary on TV of thousands of people who might have PTSD-

they lived in New Orleans last year around this time.

The Kobi earthquake in Japan in 1995? caused PTSD in thousands.

Victims of rape and child abuse can have PTSD.

I think I have it from dealing with the VA for 20 years.

You need to so some internet searching for something that proves your stressor.

Did you write home about it? those letters- if they were saved and have the whatchamacallit -

military postage thing- they have been invaluable evidence for vets who had to prove inservice stressors, as in psycho talk this is an "outcry" after a stressful event.

[RockyA1911]

Payback,

Yes a family practitioner that is either a psychologist or psychiatrist can provide a diagnosis of PTSD. In fact the first thing for filing a claim for PTSD is the DIAGNOSIS. But as Berta correctly stated the practioner cannot furnish the nexus to military service with reviewing your SMRs and Personnel Service Records. Think about it, how can a practioner verify your stressor for you? Stressor equals service connection if the stressor (incident) occured on active duty and while in line of duty.

If it was an accident on base and folks were killed or injured or you were and it was not combat related there are still reports and regardless of what branch of service injuries and accidents are reported to the Officer of the Day and logged in the Official Unit Daily Log.

Reading your previous circumstances it appears the bottom line is your were gravely wronged and retaliated against by superiors causing you much distress to say the least. Nothing like being innocent and proven guilty, even when reversed after a period of time the stigma and stress goes on. I feel for you and the way you were treated.

That said, just my personal opinion that don't account for squat because I have not walked in your shoes. But I am not sure what you have here is PTSD. There is no doubt you have suffered much anxiety, stress, and feelings of being a hopeless situation with even possible thoughts of suicide without a plan. Even though those are also some symptoms of PTSD but also I think what you have is Severe Depression and Severe Anxiety.

Be prepared for the psych to sum it up with "So you have been severely wronged and have suffered materiel and mental anguish". If that is true, he may not see PTSD, hopefully he will see the nexus of being so wronged in the military, losing promotions, and condesended constantly, and in constant fear of being charged with something again you didn't do. Make sure you say exactly what and how this all effects you today both socially and occupationally.

Good Luck

[PayBack]

Thanks for the response. If attempted vehicular homicide, terroristic threats to kill me and my family members, threatened involutary psychiatric ward admission (which would've happened if my congressman hadn't intervened), and court martial with 5 to 10 yr sentence if convicted don't qualify as stressors, then I guess I don't have anything. I guess I've spent all those sleepless nights practically going out of my mind because just wasn't mentally tough enough. Administrative actions I could deal with. Getting run into 2 lanes of on coming traffic during rush hour, canvassing the neighborhood for hours because my 8 yr old stopped by a friends house after school ( I received a call the previous day that they were going to kidnap her), being held against my will and drugged on a mental ward, or spending 5 to 10 yrs in Ft. Leavenworth, KS for a crime I didn't commit were all things I couldn't quite wrap my mind around. Migraine headaches that last for days, insomnia that's lasted for years, severe depression, anxiety, 4 distinct reoccuring nightmares are really products of my imagination. I'm prepared to hear it all, that's why I've always kept it to myself. Which is what I'm going to continue to do. Thanks for making my decision to cancel the appt easier.

[Guest terrysturgis]

Payback, I don't think anyone on this board is trying to talk you out of your appointment. They are honestly trying to give advice to you regarding your post. If you need help the VA has come a long way on recognition of symptoms of PTSD and treatment of said. My 100% rating is for DMII and related conditions. I do suffer from some of the symptoms of PTSD and I did go to the Vet Center and it helped me. Point is no one can make you get help with PTSD it has to be your decision, so from one Vet to another I suggest you seek the help. God Bless. Terry Sturgis

[RockyA1911]

Ditto Terry,

There was no recommendation for you to cancel your appointment and it is strongly suggested you seek help. And nowhere did I minimize the terrible things you are dealing with. I suggested you tell the Dr everything and how this is impacting your life both socially and occupationally currently. Get the help, the diagnosis, and file your claim. I surely don't see where there was any recommendation or insinutation to cancel your appointment.

[carlie]

If you choose to cancel the appointment you are truly hurting yourself AND your family.

JMHO

carlie