Anxiety / Depression

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I work with combat PTSD veterans and some of them have anxiety issues.

Different people develop their own custom ways to deal with anxiety & panic attacks.

Meditation & exercise (wear yourself out if possible) on a daily basis really works for many people too.

Sometimes .... The simple things actually work the best.

Good luck and try to be "proactive" with your anxiety.
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Thanks.

 

one recommendation to you all, A BOOK..........

The Four Agreements by Don Ruiz

quick read.....amazing information.

 

Technically, they all have anxiety issues. PTSD is an anxiety based disorder. At least that's what I was told by my doctor.

 

I used to have really bad anxiety and panic attacks. The only thing that helped, and it worked so well that I don't have any issues anymore, is meditation. John Kabat Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction book is a great place to start.

 

Co-worker also said meditation, when he did I looked at him funny. I will just have to try it myself

 

PM me if you want some advice/help. I'm actually a certified meditation instructor.

 

Depression is a bitch. I was diagnosed with bio-polar disorder when I was 15. I'm 31 now. It's a up and down struggle but I've been on a good streak for the past couple of years the meds I take seem to do a damn good job.

 

...^^^... I am not a doctor and have been doing this as a volunteer for a long time and helped about 60 veterans with their claims.

I work with some of the top doctors (MD's & PhD's) in the VA system and I will ask them that question.

FYI ... One Army Ranger (3 tours in Afghanistan) that I am working with now on his claim has been diagnosed with PTSD ... and the anxiety & depression blocks were not checked or mentioned anywhere in his records.

Good question though ... and i will ask if it is possible to have PTSD without anxiety in real life situations (with long term & short term PTSD).
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Even on weekends. Climb a hill, sweat it out. Once up there, drink plenty of fluid, sit it out and meditate and take your time. I tried it many many times and it was nirvana.

 

I know this makes me sound like an old man but after the war, having gone over a few times. Four people that were under my command in Iraq have committed suicide and one was murdered. So that's 5 out of the eleven I commanded. Having lost friends in combat zones I found it easier to cope with when they died in combat, then when they took their own lives. Because of being in combat zones and in heavy fighting I suffer from horrible anxiety and PTSD. But since my friends have started to commit suicide I have developed depression too. Here's the shitty part I have a degrees in psychology and anatomy/physiology so I think that can cure myself. After years of only sleeping only 3-4 hours a night and snapping at the drop off a hat at my wife and family members, and almost killing my neighbor I finally got help and I am glad I did.

 

Its always good when you realize you need help. I did not ask for help for years with my drinking problem now ive been sober for a year and 3months. But i still veey much have depression.

 

One thing I am incredibly thankful for is my non addictive personality. I did the drinking thing for a few months then stopped. I still drink but just socially now. I am glad you stop drinking bro.

 

Another issue I had was is I always wanted to be alone and never wanted to leave my house or go to stores by myself. The only time I would go somewhere by myself would be to surf or fish. I also used to just disappear for hours and even days without telling anyone.

 

...^^^... Yes ... that helped me a lot and many others too .... glad you shared your experiences.

Some need a kick start to get to that point ... but it really works.

I saw on TV news today ... special competitive athletic events where many of the WIAs were in organized sporting events and it helped them immensely.

But ... many men & women have to get that point too ... where they can leave the house, motivate themselves and/or have the energy to do those things.
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My hat is off to those of you who served. As an anxiety sufferer myself I can only imagine what that level of experience could do.

 

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I never had a drinking or a drug problem. But I hated to see animals killed (my hunting days were over) or children, women, elderly or animals abused or injured. A couple of years after I got out, almost lost it one time when I saw this guy beating a dog on a country road. Long story, but after some conversations, I paid him for the dog, and a friend adopted the dog later.

When it came to people ... many times I wanted to be alone and did not do things for long periods of time. Other times, I wanted to be around people. Working 24/7/365 was my choice to stay busy and heal. Had no life except work and that gave me all my satisfaction & fulfillment. Then slowly blended back into a regular life, but it took a while.

To this day, I am very aware of my "situational awareness" at all times ... in restaurants, in vehicles, walking, parking vehicle with a good field of view, no backs to people or doors in public places and etc. I have learned how to do this without making people uncomfortable. Staying in shape and exercising very hard is super important. Working with other combat PTSD veterans on their VA claims fulfills my needs for therapy in many ways. You just learn what works best for you in your situation & life style. But, good, hard physical activity will help almost any person (exercise as much as you physically can, but some of the guys have lost limbs or have other physical activity problems).

After you have started your healing process ... helping others to start their process is good for you in many ways too ... just be appreciative for being alive and breathing the sweet air of life.
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I too suffer from anxiety and depression. I've had anxiety as far back as I can remember as a little kid and depression came about 12 years ago. It's been a tough road but with medication, counseling and my wife I'm working through it. The thing I found with counseling is to find one that pushes you outside your comfort zone. I've also learned to not avoid what gives me anxiety. If I expose myself to it, I'll conquer it eventually. In the last few years I don't hide it anymore from family and friends. I've found people to be very sincere and helpful mostly but it's tough to understand unless you've been there. The one good thing about anxiety is that I can focus very well on my job and I'm very detail oriented.
Well that's my short version story. Keep going guys. It'll get easier.

 

WOW, some amazing stories

 

Your story is very similar to my son's. He did 2 tours while in the Marines,both in Helmund Province. He lost many buddies both in combat and when they returned. It has taken a tremendous toll on him,both physically and mentality. He is 100 percent disabled and struggles with hyper or acute awareness, depression as well as the physical scars, twice being hit by an IED while on foot. So he has memory issues and cognitive problems. He's a great man in my book, my everyday hero, who paid a hefty price for serving. I'm also aware that many paid a far steeper price. My prayer is that someday my son, and everyone who struggles with depression and anxiety can find peace. Sorry for the long winded post...