It's been a long four years, but today DJ was officially diagnosed with PTSD.

Originally, they kept those four little letters out of all of his records because he was planning on being a career sailor. Because of the disorder and it's symptoms, he can no longer remain in the Navy.

He had a very mild form of it after being stationed at Guantanamo Bay for six months. The things he saw and did affected him greatly. The nightmares, insomnia, mood swings, weight gain were difficult, but he worked through them. He was doing good until February 2005 when he found out his father committed suicide. In his head, he relived everything that happened in Cuba, but this time he saw his father instead of detainees.

It's been a hard four years. He's not the man I married. His mood swings do scare me (mainly because of my past with my father) even though he's never made a move to hurt me. He's finally got a good psychiatrist who wants to work with him twice a month until we leave here in mid-January.

He brought home her report today and I cried while he read it to me. It's so hard to hear. She even wrote: "His wife is his only source of support, but she is afraid of his moods."

I know there are a few ladies who can empathize with me... Laurie, Lefty, etc. DJ is mightily embarrassed because he was never in combat, but the things he saw, did and had done to him while he was in Cuba did affect him psychologically.

The doctor is pretty optimistic that his symptoms will change and eventually fade after we leave Iwakuni. She feels like he's blamed Iwakuni for everything that's happened to him the last four years.

I guess I could use some prayers and good thoughts. It's going to be hard on us for the next six months while we pack out, transition, seperate and start our new lives.

:hug I am very sorry that he is suffering from this, but happy that it is being acknowledged and taken care of. I pray that your situation will only improve from here. Good luck!

You both will be in thoughts to make it through this rough period-together.

I teared up reading that because I could feel your emotions in what you posted :sadeyes

Thank you. :)

I'm sure that is all so hard :sadeyes I am wishing you guys all the best :hugs

I'm sorry that it's messing up his career plans, but I'm glad he's going to get the treatment he needs. PTSD is not much fun no matter what it comes from. It doesn't have to be combat (I was diagnosed with it years ago after a traumatic event). But with the right treatment, he can get through this. I expect staying in the Navy would only keep him in the mood swings and having those flash-backs and panics. Getting out is probably the best thing for him. It's a chance to start fresh at something new.

Hugs to all of you!

I'm praying for you and your family :pray

Getting out is the best solution for him right now. He used to love the Navy. He loved his job. Now he struggles to go to work every day.

He has bigger and better plans then the Navy. He's enrolling in the PreMed program next Fall. I'm very proud of him.

:sadeyes As Pebs said, I could feel your emotions. I wish you guys the best during the next 6+ months.

I'm sorry. But if I know you guys like I am pretty sure I do, you guys will make it through everything fine. Like someone said before, PTSD doesnt only come from combat. Look at Gabe, he has it. DJ will come through this with flying colors :hugs

:hugs

My husband has it but he won't seek help. I'm so sorry honey. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.:hugs

It can ruin your career.

Tell him he can go to Family Services for counseling and it never enters his official military record. He really needs to get help. But, if he decides to get out (or retire) and it is noted in his military records, he can receive a pension from the VA for disability.

:pray

i'm sorry for your situtaion my brother was also diagnosed with ptsd, hope it works out for you

:hugs

I'm sorry for all you've had to go through, as well as your family. At the same time I'm sure it's a bit of a relief to finally get a diagnosis and keep moving in the right direction. Hopefully the move will help too. Thinking of you & hope everything works out (with the move, changing jobs, medical treatment, etc.) :hugs

I am so sorry. I am glad that things seem to finally be getting settled. That will make things so much easier for the two of you to move on. :hugs

God Britt, like a few others have said, I teared up reading that. PTSD does not have to come from combat, as stated before, so DJ does not have to feel bad about it. DJ has made some good choices in getting help, and also in getting it documented. Steve was worried when he first went in for help, but it was already affecting his work, and he was so close to retirement so he didn't really have anything to lose. We struggle daily, but Steve has a pretty severe case. It's a roller coaster ride, so if you need anything at all, you know how to get ahold of me. You can PM me here, or my YIM is Laurie98311

:hugs I hope things get better once you're away from Iwakuni.

You can always take a vacation down here :D

I think him getting out is the best solution.

He needs to heal- he doesn't need daily reminders of the things that effected him in the first place.

You both will be in my thoughts, and if you ever need a shoulder Britt- we are in the same time zones- so don't hestitate to PM me.

:hugs You 2 will get through this. You guys have so much love.

It's good news that he has a diagnosis and a treatment plan now!!! It can only get better from here!!!!

I'm excited to see what the next 6 months to a year has in store for you both! You are wonderful people, an amazing couple, and very strong!!! He will come out of this a stronger man and you will be a stronger woman for standing behind him the whole time!!! :hugs

My prayers are with you and DJ right now Britt!!!! :pray :hugs

If you need to talk I'm usually up when you are so just send me a should!! YIM stephie071985 :hugs

:hugs Britt. It sounds like you have been through more than your fair share in the last four years, but you are on the right road to making it better finally. There is no reason why your hubby should feel embarrassed about having PTSD even though he wasn't in combat. It doesn't matter how it happened, just that it happened and he is getting help. I wish you all of the luck in the world with all of this. :lovesign

:hugs Britt, from what I have read and heard about Guantanamo Bay, I'd be the same way DJ is now if I went through that. Who cares that he wasn't "in combat" he was in a awfully horrifying place that has affected him in a negative way. :sadeyes I hope he is able to get the help he needs and you can both pull through this and move on with better, healthier lives. :)

You guys will make it through this, Britt :hugs

Who knows, maybe being around his mom (as I believe that's where his family is, in OR, right?) will help him to deal w/ his grief better, along w/ the counseling & starting a "new life"?

We'll all be praying & thinking about you guys :hugs

:hugs

Oh Britt :bigsadhug

I'm glad they put a name on it. I'll keep you in my prayers, please know that things will get better. You need to come home. :hugs

:hugs

You guys are in my thoughts..

:hugs

Thinking of you sweetie

I am so sorry to hear that you guys are going through this. I am very happy to hear that he is getting treated. hugs to both of you!!

Britt many many prayers going out to you and DJ. I know you two can make it theu this.

you guys will be in my thoughts and prayers during this time.

:hugs

Britt, you and DJ are always in my thoughts and prayers :hugs :hugs :hugs

This is just a suggestion. With your husband going through therapy, I would highly recommend that he also incorporate massage into his recovery. His emotions are held deep inside him and massage for some odd reason forces them to come out. I have dealt with several clients that have had a SER while I was massaging them. Here is what an SER is:

SomatoEmotional Release (SER)
SER helps the body release traumas stored within the tissues safely and appropriately. Stored traumas can cause recurring behavioral problems, chronic pain, structural imbalances and other 'general’ disorders that are difficult for traditional medicine to diagnose and treat. Effective SER sessions reach deep within to the source of the symptoms, restoring health, balance and freedom.

I hope that all in due time your husband recovers from his past and you both can get through this tough time. If you would like any other information regarding massage please let me know. Thanks for listening. :)

This is just a suggestion. With your husband going through therapy, I would highly recommend that he also incorporate massage into his recovery. His emotions are held deep inside him and massage for some odd reason forces them to come out. I have dealt with several clients that have had a SER while I was massaging them. Here is what an SER is:

SomatoEmotional Release (SER)
SER helps the body release traumas stored within the tissues safely and appropriately. Stored traumas can cause recurring behavioral problems, chronic pain, structural imbalances and other 'general’ disorders that are difficult for traditional medicine to diagnose and treat. Effective SER sessions reach deep within to the source of the symptoms, restoring health, balance and freedom.

I hope that all in due time your husband recovers from his past and you both can get through this tough time. If you would like any other information regarding massage please let me know. Thanks for listening. :)

That kind of thing isn't really offered in Japan, but thank you for posting about it, it sounds interesting.

DJ was pretty drained when he came home from his appointment. The doctor kept asking if he was suicidal/homicidal, so that was frustrating for him. :( He did have class with his favorite English professor last night, so he was perked back up when he came home. (It helps that I had fresh banana bread waiting for him. :))

He did look at me and said, "I'm sorry I'm such a mess." My response was a quick, "I love you no matter what."

I know we'll make it. I'm just scared. He was irked/embarrassed that I posted about, but I told him that you guys weren't family. You go through the same things. You won't judge.

:pray You and your husband are in my prayers.

:hugs to you guys. PTSD is not fun. Thank God he's getting the help he needs and with your great support I know you guys will make it through. I'll keep you guys in my prayers and hope for the best out come from this.
DJ we care about you, a lot of us have been there and a lot of our SO have been there too. We would never judge you.

I'm so sorry Britt. You and DJ will be in my prayers :bigsadhug

Everything happens for a reason, so even though it seems like this door may be closing, another one will open. Hang in there! You are a strong person, and you have a very strong marriage!

Britt, if you ever need to talk about PTSD, please let me know. I suffer from it and I can totally sympathize with how DJ is feeling, and what both of you are having to go through. Atleast he got a diagnosis, and hopefully can get treatment and such if he needs it.

Lots of :hugs sweetie!

Britt I wish you the very best sweetie. I am sorry ya'll are having to go through that. :hugs

I wish you the best... (L)

It's been a long four years, but today DJ was officially diagnosed with PTSD.
DJ is mightily embarrassed because he was never in combat, but the things he saw, did and had done to him while he was in Cuba did affect him psychologically.

I guess I could use some prayers and good thoughts. It's going to be hard on us for the next six months while we pack out, transition, seperate and start our new lives.

Even though he wasn't shooting at people, he was in combat. That place just sounds horrible. My DH was suppose to go, but ended up in Iraq instead. Our guys are asked to do & experience things no human should have to. And then they are expected to just move on w/ their lives. I'll be sending prayers for your family.