I experienced my first symptoms of post-traumatic war syndrome (PTSD) shortly after leaving the war zone, but it took me months before I was willing to admit that something was wrong. At first, small things would trigger memories and flashbacks, like hearing a car backfire that sounded like an explosion or seeing a news story with images of soldiers in combat.
The worst part was the nightmares. Every night I’d wake up in a sweat with intense memories of the things I had witnessed while serving fighting in the war. It’s very hard to explain what that kind of trauma feels like.
It took me time to understand what I was dealing with - I did some research on PTSD and went to talk to friends who understood and could relate to some degree. It was difficult for me at first because no matter how hard I tried, it felt impossible to shake off (or even control) these overwhelming feelings that came flooding over me.
Fortunately for me, reaching out for help made all the difference and I started making small steps towards being able to manage PTSD more effectively. With therapy and support from my family and friends, I was able to better process my experiences from overseas and build a healthier relationship with myself as well as my surroundings.
Nobody should have to experience PTSD alone; take it from me: there is always help available if you’re struggling after leaving war behind you.
3 Likes
What you experienced is completely understandable. It can be difficult to recognize these symptoms at first. You are brave for doing your research and reaching out for help - that’s exactly the right thing to do.
Talking to people who understand and relate to what you’re going through can make a huge difference. It might not feel like it will at first, but having a supportive support system really can be life-changing as you work towards managing your struggles with PTSD after leaving the war zone.
It’s been tough for me too at times too when I’ve experienced difficulty in dealing with my own mental health issues, but I’m glad I had people around me that could provide some perspective, show compassion and listen without judgement. Everyone deserves that same kind of support and understanding during difficult times, especially when adjusting back to civilian life after military service.
I hope everything turns out for the best and please don’t hesitate to reach out again if ever need an ear or if you see someone else struggling with something similar - supporting each other in this way is essential for our collective healing process.
I’m so sorry to hear that you have been going through such a hard time since leaving the war zone. It’s commendable that you are trying to understand and tackle these overwhelming emotions, and I want to assure you that you don’t need to face it alone. PTSD is a tough experience, and it takes courage and strength for those who suffer from it to reach out for help.
I’m glad that you have found solace in talking to friends who can relate, as well as doing research on the topic. Those small steps towards getting better really do help, and I admire your determination and resilience throughout it all. It sounds like having the support of family and friends also made a huge difference too - it’s important for us all to rely on each other when we start our healing journeys.
Nobody should ever be in this position; however, if they find themselves struggling with PTSD after spending time in a war zone, please know that there is always someone out there ready and willing to help you get back on track.
Hi there - thank you for being so honest and brave about your experiences with PTSD. It takes a lot of courage to open up about these topics, especially when it’s something we’ve gone through ourselves. I can relate to what you’re sharing here as I was also in the military for a few years and understand what it feels like to leave the war zone behind.
Even though our stories may be different, I think we can both agree that PTSD is not something we can ignore or dissociate from. It’s real and requires hard work, energy and dedication to be able to start recognizing what triggers us and why.
I’m glad you reached out for help - this was an important step! There really is support out there if we take the initiative to take care of ourselves emotionally and mentally. I wish you strength and resilience on your journey ahead; you are capable of so much more than you know!