Blog Feed: PTSD: A Soldier's Perspective

This answer keeps changing over the last 20 years, it used to be various family members and friends. This becomes too much for our caregivers if they alone bear that burden as I learned the hard way. Today varying by degree this sacred duty I charge to select few friends whom I try and educate beforehand. But, the brunt falls to my dog Smokey. I've had him for almost four months an 80lb, 10 month old black lab. I am learning to train and looking for trainers to help me train him as a psychiatri [..] > read more

Army Review of PTSD Will Reinforce Combat Veterans Not to Seek Help

Published on 2012-02-08 20:15:53

This article seems to say they are passing out PTSD diagnosis to anyone who walks by and sneezes. It is not easy to get a PTSD diagnosis, that is the truth. When this same issue was brought up in the Veterans Administration, the government investigation showed that there was less then 1% actual fraud on PTSD diagnosis and service-connection compensation. When we do get that term put on our records as a service-connection, it is not a favor done for us. It means that we owe these men and women wh [..] > read more

A Ruse Indeed: Wanna Be Therapists

Published on 2012-02-08 19:35:31

Comment from a guy who originally placed on his Facebook education and work page that he worked for me here on this blog. I asked him to remove it, he apologized and gave me a huge line, I accepted his apology and gave him the benefit of the doubt. But then he makes this comment on my last article, this guy says he is a clinical social worker and I am sure he is. I was astounded when he referred to his clients as "wanna be's". Please plow through his wordage, at the end you will be rewarded as I [..] > read more

Why a Combat Veteran Holds onto Anger

Published on 2012-01-31 15:56:57

Anger was a successful way to get us and our guys through war, a tool that was honed and perfected for effective use. But, today this way of thinking – faulty thinking or defensive state of mind– keeps us from building the kind of relationships we need. It pushes people away, a defensive mechanism we developed in combat that was very effective at saving our lives and the lives of our squad members. Today it keeps us from building a ‘squad’ at home. To let it go is counter intuitive and [..] > read more

The Price to be Superman: Combat PTSD

Published on 2012-01-31 15:29:26

Hey, we have those moments that run into eternity sometimes it seems, lol. We must cry to grieve the part of ourselves that we lost in those moments when we had to hold it together. Who said we always had to hold it together? Did we do what was required to save more then we lost? That is why we must cry today, for in doing what we needed to do then we paid a price. Today, you cry for those who were lost. And for what we must accept as our personal responsibility in our actions as weighed against [..] > read more

Combat PTSD: A Psycho-Social and Spiritual Wound

Published on 2012-01-13 19:35:39

America, I gave you my soul in 1991. I didn't know it then that I would receive a psycho-social and spiritual wound that not even I could see. Of late we have heard much on the common symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD in the media and the soldier or veteran, you won't hear me talk about that much. I deal mostly in the chronic nature of Combat PTSD and it's many flavors and identities as it relates to me. I'm all about talking about the mental, physical, social and spiritual aspe [..] > read more

Darktimes Indeed

Published on 2012-01-10 10:43:39

Comment from On Dealing with the Combat PTSD Veteran.wshat a lod of shit. yh0out think you know ptsgd becaue you a brad driver? step outsi8d edand ytell me what is ptsd . fuck all od you that felel sorry for soldiers. we chowse this profdssion sna we know whaT WE get oursxledves in6o. you think oyu know ptsdL> ypou ever put yuour friends in a ody bvad? jyou ever see peolpe melted to th eground from an ied. fuck you .spr4eadign this bullthis. oyu know wh0o tis is bootsw onty the groundMy respons [..] > read more

ON Dealing with the Combat PTSD Veteran: We Came Home in Spirit as Warriors and Will Forever Be

Published on 2012-01-04 17:26:19

Unconditional love is to surrender, it is faith in the other and spontaneity unleashed, it is emotional freedom and nurturing of the spirit. All of these things we had to shed before combat; we had to be steadfast, precise and deadly - the exact opposite of unconditional love. Now we are conditioned to it and operate from a Combat Values structure, which can leave our family and loved ones attachments broken. We can experince these states of mind and spirit again, but usually in spirts and sputt [..] > read more

To the Combat PTSD Caregiver

Published on 2011-11-05 15:03:46

Reach out to other spouses in your area or online to help educate and support one another. There are many benefits you can apply for today such as the Caregiver Benefit of service-connected veterans. An organization I highly recommend is Family of a Vet, you can find their link on the upper right hand of this blog. When things between you two become confusing it is due to his perception of reality has been profoundly shaken. Everything he thought of himself has been shattered to the core includ [..] > read more

Under the Influence of War

Published on 2011-10-27 14:40:04

This article was written for the Graffiti of War Project where I will be doing a guest blogger spot once or twice a month; they are embarking on a new journey to include the veterans perspective. Read my story as it unfolds; from a student of Combat PTSD on and off the battlefield. Join us at the Graffiti of War Project as we uncover unconventional art in and around combat zones from around the world and bring the images to a city near you. This 4th of July was especially hard, one of those da [..] > read more

The Intimacy of War

Published on 2011-10-27 14:38:48

Reclaiming parts of my memory has helped to regain lost bits and pieces of myself; by putting together this Combat Narrative I will regain a significant part of my life that has influenced me in many negative ways otherwise. This recording of my narrative will assist me further in reclaiming my past and coming to terms with my complete Combat Narrative over time. Watch it unfold here and at the Graffiti of War Project Blog. This begins the epic story of the 3rd Brigade of the 1st AD in the Gr [..] > read more

Hallowed Day: 4th of July

Published on 2011-07-05 01:06:18

A new friend said to me, "I can't even imagine how the 4th of July feels for veterans..." and "Did you ever get hurt in the line of duty?" I shared with her my being wounded in mind for the last 20 years. She asked me how I deal with it on a day like > read more

Thinking Patterns of War Can Impede a Veterans Life

Published on 2011-07-03 14:58:46

People come here because they want to understand Combat PTSD. I appreciate your desire to learn, I am here to educate. War will change the way we think, feel and behave. Our minds can trick us into believing everything within ourselves is fine, the s > read more

Frustrated and Alone: Combat PTSD Awareness

Published on 2011-06-27 16:29:10

I received this comment on one of my better articles on Combat Rage and What We May Do With It; the Combat PTSD Veteran. Frustrated and Alone (FA) was me 6 years ago, I have come back from the brink of utter loneliness and abject isolation this young > read more

VA Late to National PTSD Awareness Day

Published on 2011-06-27 14:01:32

Family Of a Vet, Inc. / FamilyOfaVet.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brannan Vines E-mail: Brannan@FamilyOfaVet.comUPDATE: As of 12:47 CST and 1:47 EST the VA has FINALLY heard us! See, we can make a difference with social media! The VA has final > read more

Combat PTSD Blogger: Host at Voice of Warriors Talk Radio, Veteran Edition.

Published on 2011-06-27 00:27:30

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/voiceofwarriors/2011/07/01/veterans-edition--premiere Voice of Warriors Talk Radio, Veteran Edition with your host, Scott A. Lee the Combat PTSD Blogger, brought to you by FamilyOfaVet.com. Emphasizing the Warrior P > read more

Anger Needs a Target: Don't Ask a Vet About Their Medicine During Stressful Events

Published on 2011-06-20 19:12:58

The other day a friend unknowingly asked me the wrong question during a PTSD moment. "Are you taking your meds?" Asking a Combat PTSD Veteran if they have taken their medicine during times of stress can often be frowned upon by the wary Vet (attempt > read more

Kent School of Social Work Fucks Over Combat PTSD Blogger

Published on 2011-06-14 19:32:10

I went to Walmart about an hour and half ago and about had a meltdown, it surprised the hell out of me. The last time a panic attack threatened to engulf me was a year ago. Which TRIGGERED this rant at home on the keyboard; you heard it here first. > read more

False Hope and the Combat Veteran in Crisis

Published on 2011-06-10 18:24:17

False hope for a Combat PTSD Veteran can kill us ~ Combat PTSD Blogger > read more

Caregivers Need to Learn the Signs of Burnout and Secondary PTSD

Published on 2011-06-09 16:04:19

You are not alone; welcome home to our veteran’s means something more profound then setting foot back on our homeland. For the combat veteran returning from war does not mean it’s a done deal; coming home. I tell a veteran welcome home to honor t > read more

Mark Wills, Crazy Being Home: Combat PTSD Blogger's Review

Published on 2011-06-06 17:19:47

This video is of Mark Wills' song "Crazy Being Home," it's a tribute to the way the combat veteran feels when coming home and what we may expect to encounter. It captures the emotion and identification we mysterosly seem to lack when we return home. > read more

Memories, Flashbacks and Dissociation as a Function of Combat PTSD/TBI: Experiential Research

Published on 2011-06-05 18:18:12

I am a Combat PTSD Veteran of the First Gulf War, I saw hectares of blood stained sands strung as the death clock clicked, chimed and claimed 45,000 lives. I lay witness, on point for the 3rd brigade of the 1st AD and beheld the 20,000 lives my unit > read more

Purpose

Published on 2011-06-05 16:31:59

To live my purpose is to find a way ~ Combat PTSD Blogger > read more

Call for Local Community Organization

Published on 2011-06-04 17:05:43

If you are a family member of a veteran with Combat PTSD, OR a family member of the fallen. You are welcome here. If you need support, I can assist you in understanding the Combat PTSD Veterans mind and how to communicate with your loved one. We can > read more

The Graffiti of War Project

Published on 2011-06-03 13:25:04

Used with permission from http://www.graffitiofwar.com/ Offering a unique perspective, experience the wars through the eyes of those living and dying through these conflicts. Each image represents a moment in time, when an emotion wa > read more

Applied for Psychiatric Service Dog Today

Published on 2011-06-01 19:06:29

I just applied for help in obtaining a psychiatric service dog for PTSD, the website Paws and Stripes, says there is a waiting list. Well for fucks sake, "You really think so?" When has a fucking veteran seen anything but? Hell I waited (not really, > read more

Memorial Day 2011

Published on 2011-05-30 17:40:29

To those that never made it back, I will never forget your sacrifice. To the family members, thank you for your continued sacrifices for our country and may you find purpose in your loved ones absence. > read more

Combat Veteran Eligibility: Enhanced Eligibility For VA Health Care Benefits

Published on 2011-05-27 17:34:59

I know, I know. I'm a little late on breaking the news (2008, hello), I just found it and posted it. If anyone has any experience in filing for these benefits let me know in the comments. Taken from the VA website: On January 28, 2008, “Public La > read more

Veteran Unemployment, War Stigma and Employers Misunderstanding of the Modern Warrior

Published on 2011-05-24 20:39:07

Veteran unemployment has reached critical mass. The stigma of the "Psychologically Wounded" veteran may be impacting employers decisions in hiring them. According to Call of Duty's Endowment (C.O.D.E.) website, veteran unemployment has reached 21.9%. > read more

Turtle Women Rising: The Tradition of Honoring Veterans

Published on 2011-05-24 15:58:43

Eli PaintedCrow, holds a proud history from the Yaqui Nation and Mexican ancestry. She is the mother to two veteran sons and a grandmother of eight. Eli is an advocate for Peace and an advocate for returning soldiers. A 22yr Army veteran whose eyes > read more

Call of Duty Endowment Memorial Day Campaign

Published on 2011-05-23 17:42:56

Memorial day will be here soon and I have just been invited by Activision’s Call of Duty Endowment to participate in an Host Media Call with UFC 130 Fighter, Brian Stann and BG James "Spider" Marks (USA-Ret) to discuss their 2011 Memorial Day Campa > read more

Comumbia University Violates Eli PaintedCrow's Civil Rights

Published on 2011-05-23 16:36:41

Eli Painted Crow, a featured speaker for Nadia MacCaffrey's VeteranVillage.org, her bio, My work is about feeding our spirit by expressing my truth in language that is from my heart, life experience and my personal truth. It is my hope that people u > read more

Wives of Incarcerated Veterans Seeking Candidates for Reality TV Show

Published on 2011-05-22 20:06:00

A friend and highly respected advocate, Family of Incarcerated Veterans is looking for "Wives of Incarcerated Veterans" for a possible reality TV show. We need to push our message further into the media, this project will deliver a punch of awarenes > read more

The Forced March

Published on 2011-05-06 20:02:22

I was sitting here thinking about what it cost me to march 13 miles carrying 50 pounds of gear plus another 50 in ammo and water for my Expert Infantry Badge (EIB) march or marching 100 miles through the thick German forest over five days carrying an > read more

Military Souse Appreciation Day

Published on 2011-05-06 12:22:42

The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release May 05, 2011 Presidential Proclamation--Military Spouse Appreciation Day Military spouses serve as steady and supportive partners to the heroes in uniform who protect and defend our > read more

The VA's New Mobile App: PTSD Coach

Published on 2011-05-04 23:16:00

Taken from the VA's website, modified from original; The PTSD Coach app, a free iTunes download, can help you learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur after trauma. Features include: Reliable information on PTSD and treatments that work T > read more

New VA Caregiver Program for Post-9/11 Veterans

Published on 2011-05-04 13:28:09

PRESS RELEASE May 3, 2011: VA to Take Applications for New Family Caregiver Program VA Implementing Enhancements to Existing Services for Veterans and Their Caregivers WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published the i > read more

30 Confirmed Kills: Surrender Hill Part 3

Published on 2011-05-03 19:59:05

Healing is not fluid. Sometimes it happens in jagged forms; one step forward and three giant leaps back. I have part 3 of one of my war time trauma accounts to share with you, Buddha said, "Do not believe what I say just out of respect for me, but te > read more

Osama Bin Laden's Death

Published on 2011-05-02 17:06:48

Photo by Scott Lee I feel torn, I understand people's elation with Osama's death. But, I do not feel that way. My only thoughts have to do with the 30% of veterans coming home with PTSD, maybe now we can call these wars a success and get the hell out > read more

New for March: Place in my Heart Where I Hold Sacred Memories

Published on 2011-05-01 20:51:57

Place in my Heart Where I Hold Sacred Memories Ok, update. Since last week I have been in communication with my sons and that "insecure" part of me has been abated, it is good to talk to my sons. It sure does give me much energy and hope for the futu > read more

Hard Time Keeping it Together Today

Published on 2011-04-23 17:43:34

Well, my world is all fucked up...lets say that my family sucks at communication. We were never good at keeping in touch with one another, and I'm even accepting a large portion of the blame for not breaking the cycle. But, it is now time to give my > read more

Healing and the 21st Century Warrior

Published on 2011-04-16 16:12:05

As a combat vet I am just now after 19 years starting to put back together memories and now I have an understanding of where my emotions come from. Before, I was unable to distinguish the roots of my emotions, which resulted in disorganized thinking > read more

I'm Here, But Not There

Published on 2011-04-16 14:45:54

Comment I left on another post in response to some positive feedback, "There is a way to break the cycle, awareness of these states of minds; learning our triggers, examining our beliefs, a willingness to engage and assert a mindful temperament witho > read more

Surrender Hill Part 2

Published on 2011-04-15 16:07:11

Surrender Hill notes from March 7, 2011: Continues from PASP post dated April 14, 2011...come on people catch up! pwilmao -Pause while I laugh my ass off -I just laughed my ass off, that was funny...shesh. At first I thought I was seeing things, but > read more

Surrender Hill

Published on 2011-04-14 15:37:12

My Trauma Account Re-write, dated March 7, 2011: After driving for 48 hours straight without any sleep...I was the point vehicle and a Bradley Fighting Vehicle Driver for the 3rd Brigade for the 1st > read more

Kognito Interactive: My Perspective

Published on 2011-04-13 17:26:03

I have been away for while now and wanted to let you know that I am back and ready to write again. Recently I have been invited by; Kognito Interactive (who)..is currently partnering with VISN 3 of the VA to develop an online training for the familie > read more

Hello, I'M BACK: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Published on 2011-04-11 17:57:44

I have been away for awhile...I'm ready to talk about it again. I'm ready to add the Memphis Chapter where I am back from a six week stay at the Memphis VA. I gotta say from the start, it was a great program. I was able to work through some more stuf > read more

Cardiac Lab Procedure at the VA Hospital in Houston Texas

Published on 2010-12-31 11:04:14

Cardiac Lab Procedure at the VA Hospital in Houston Texas I had been having chest pains for a couple of months, which finally manifested themselves into my conscious realm of not being able to ignore them any longer. As it so happen > read more

Cardiac Lab Procedure at the VA Hospital in Houston Texas

Published on 2010-12-31 11:04:14

VA Celebrates National Family Caregiver Month

Published on 2010-11-08 16:27:56

WASHINGTON (Nov. 8, 2010)- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is marking National Family Caregiver Month by honoring the service of family members and friends who have dedicated their lives to caring for chronically ill, injured, or disabled Vet > read more

VA Celebrates National Family Caregiver Month

Published on 2010-11-08 16:27:56

Dreams

Published on 2010-11-03 16:38:01

I took a couple of elective courses during my Masters’ work and came away feeling like the courses were established for “normal” people and not Combat PTSD veterans… I know you are going; DUHHH!!! I was hoping to find some answers other > read more

Dreams

Published on 2010-11-03 16:38:01

MEDS

Published on 2010-11-03 16:37:15

Psychotropic medications for Combat PTSD that are prescribed for you by your doctor; DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU START TAKING THE MEDS… After my crash I came in under the old VA model of fill your butt full of psychotropic meds and adjust do > read more

MEDS

Published on 2010-11-03 16:37:15

Some Horse Sense, A PTSD Caregiver on Caregiver Care

Published on 2010-11-03 16:35:58

What This Blogger Learned From An Ass, Some Horses, Hula Hoops And Buckets Of Manure So the burning questions that you all have and I have been eluding up until this point is...What did I learn and does it really work? Surprisingly, it does work. So > read more

Some Horse Sense, A PTSD Caregiver on Caregiver Care

Published on 2010-11-03 16:35:58

First Person: Combat PTSD

Published on 2010-10-07 12:53:45

My name is Rob Honzell, Sr. and I am a Marine Combat Veteran who served in the Vietnam War. I served two tours with 1st Recon eventually assigned to the Phoenix Program. I am the author of First Person: Combat PTSD. The offering was self-published, n > read more

First Person: Combat PTSD

Published on 2010-10-07 12:53:45

Straight From the Horse's Mouth

Published on 2010-10-05 22:32:55

Between you and me, dear Readers.....You have read that I was pretty scared of horses, had a bitterness so deep within me for counselors and therapists, and that the Wounded Warrior Wives Retreat to Quantum Leap Farm, was somewhat of a trip full of s > read more

Straight From the Horse's Mouth

Published on 2010-10-05 22:32:55

Women of Warriors Retreat: Gone to the Horses

Published on 2010-10-05 22:22:09

~This Weekend was more than I can write in one blog so will be breaking this down into several~ I mentioned in an earlier blog that I was attending a retreat sponsored by Operation Homefront's newest group, Wounded Warrior Wives. The retreat, W.O.W > read more

Women of Warriors Retreat: Gone to the Horses

Published on 2010-10-05 22:22:09

My Scream List

Published on 2010-10-05 22:19:51

I really don't know what is wrong with me this week but, I have been in a foul mood every single morning I wake up. A ton of things are bothering me and I just feel the need to get them out of my head and try to move on. So rather than being long win > read more

My Scream List

Published on 2010-10-05 22:19:51

Credo - Needing Feedback for Faith-Based Vet Program

Published on 2010-09-15 13:22:20

So, here's my hope: That vet-safe circles will spring up in churches throughout the US. Grassroots, each looking different, each vet-safe. I'm a civilian, wasn't there, can't understand, but - like every American - MUST understand if we're ever goin > read more

Credo - Needing Feedback for Faith-Based Vet Program

Published on 2010-09-15 13:22:20

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