You don't have to tell anyone your whole story, just what they need to know. If you have an exaggerated startle reflex because of wartime gunfire or cry easily or whatever, simply notify those whom it might affect of the facts."Sorry, I tend to cry easily these days" or "Since my accident, I am more nervous than usual." That's enough info for most people.

I warn people who stay with me that I scream every morning as I wake up, but I don't go into why.

I usually attribute mood swings and crying jags to hormones, it's something people are more comfortable with. The joys of being female. :-)

I don't talk about what happened to me (except with my therapist). It's nobody's business but my own.

I have lived with a man for 42 years and for the first 24 years, I didn't have a name for his condition...just thought he was weird and anti-social and paranoid for no reason! Then we were contacted by an old army buddy who had been searching for him for 20 some years to invite him to a reunion of his old unit..173rd Airborne (SEP) 2 Bat/A Co. that was in Viet Name in 65-66...He was wounded 2 times, received 2 purple hearts and got his 100% Rating for his injuries and PTSD. We lived for years with no mirrors on the walls...ceiling fans were a no no and he would check the locks on the doors several times a night and wake up sweating and screaming!

Well, we went to the reunion in 96 and his life has changed...he is able to deal with what happend and has been able to talk about everything openly and honestly especially wth his grandsons.

There is hope, fortunately drugs are a big part of recovery...but you do what you have t do and make sure you have a good support system!

Hope this helps

I grew up in an abusive environment...6 kids in my family.I've got a brother 7 yrs older than me..he served in Vietnam,paratrooper.Just now diagnosed with ptsd.

All 6 of us I believe have it,he had the added Vietnam to his.He saw some horrible things over there,used to carry a photo alblum in his car w/pics,awful.

He was sober for over 20yrs..started again when we went into Iraq.

We all have our open wounds,can't speak for them,but I just do the best I can.I've raised 3 wonderful daughters,have 4 beautiful grandkids.

Still,I suffer physically..chronic migraine...I guess things can take their toll.I take nothing for granted ,but being human,have my flaws.

take care,

marge

James Mc Laughlin,

I suffer from PTSD and understand how it's not recognized. The thing you and I must understand is we need to get help. WE NEED TO RECOGNIZED IT AND TREAT IT.

was diagnosed with it several yrs ago because of an accident and for things that were not addressed from yrs ago.I tell people to excuse me when I hibernate with depression and anxiety it;s due to the accident.i donot care to discuss the other events.some understand, some dont.I periodically seek counceling.sometimes helps for a little bit/most people don't understand but good friends do.Wish i could get over it so i don't worry them but it's a longgg process and i'll know who really is my friend when i have my periods of being able to handle it. good luck and god bless