Dave,
My first reaction was that the therapist
got me mixed up with someone else.
(I'd mentioned her saying to me that I
was molested at 5 to my regular private
counselor during our last session before
I made the transition to VA MST therapy.)

I was confused and began to doubt myself
and my sanity.

But, I had gut reactions to the VA therapist
and felt sick around her and she requested
that we have a 30 minute appt. on my last visit to her, but she kept talking to me for the whole hour. The VA therapist versed me on what to say to the C&P doctor and she also warned me that
the VA psychiatrist was viewed as 'cold' by some people and did I want her to be in the room with him. After I saw the VA psychiatrist, my therapist asked me if the VA psychiatrist wore his GREEN pants. I said he didn't, but I felt that she was critical of his green pants when he wore them???

Dave, all I ever shared with that VA therapist was a 14 page stressor letter that I also gave to Mr. Gibney with DAV at Stratton VA.
The VA therapist told me to imagine getting on a horse when I had intrusive thoughts and on the second appointment, I told her the horse stomped on the people/person in my intrusive thoughts.
Then she said I was mad.

I never once told her about childhood molestation. She wrote in my progress report
that my mother's boyfriend molested me at 5,
but my mom NEVER had a boyfriend. She was married to my dad until I was in my twenties.

The therapist wrote that I threw myself down some stairs. We lived in Texas in a house with no stairs! My progress report from the VA therapist also said I bang my head on walls.
I know it sounds terrible, but I've never banged my head unless it was an accident.

The progress reports from the VA therapist do not represent me or anything that happened to me. Like I said, I presented the therapist with a long stressor letter. That's about it.

I met another woman veteran in my town who goes to VA and sees the same VA therapist and also has Mr. Gibney at DAV for her VSO.
I'm just wondering if her progress report got mixed up in mine!

I don't know if Mr. Gibney can do damage control because I contacted Womens Health Care after I read my progress report and they pretty much told me 'my issues have been addressed'.
That's why I don't go to VA anymore.
My issue was ignored!

The VA psychiatrist would not release his progress report to me.

Thanks for your insight and maybe a direction on how to fix this? It happened last April.

Cindy

I have had a claim for PTSD since 82, But now is listed as 1997, And who knows they keep mentioning 2002 as a start date. All Psychiatrist say I have PTSD and the VA agrees, But the Pychologist who did the 4th and last test (did not use the entire test) stated he felt my childhood was the stressor. My case was at the appeals center in WA DC but was shipped to St Louis for overflow, (not sure that is a good thing) After the stressor I fought for a discharge after being in the Hospital 6 months at Travis. The VA says that because I didn't stay in they had no way to 1. see that I requested a change of duty. 2. did poor at work. ect ect. The fact that I have a doctors record that says I didn't want out and suddenly requested a discharge is the same to me as a request for duty status change. the fact that with 2 college degrees I have in 30 years never held a job longer than 9 months and have been totally unable to work for 10 years. Besides panic attacks, social anxiety attacks and heart stints (two of them), prostrate and kidney problmes, perminate rash, high BP, digestive problems since day one out of the military, and now a nodule on the lung. Hearing loss, and border line diabetes, they still are fighting me. At present I have a 10% for my legs. So is the St Louis thing a good or bad thing?

...Good day everyone,...

...well, being the poster boy for PTSD isn't easy, assigned to service post vietnam, 1977, enlist after JROTC, gung ho, etc, involved in an off base shooting, dragged a woman, and her infant from under a wounded man, disarmed the shooter, torn arm, pissed on, 29 years later 3 surgerys, 2 hearing aids, 70 % sevice connected, 50 % PTSD, but first was 10 %, that's all your worth, shut up, and leave us alone until you can prove it, WELL, took me 6 years, and one divorce, ( after the first two), to put it together, and stop fighting on my own, went to the DAV, and signed up, and learned the truths about what we fought for wasn't always on the battle field, they ask me "we you ever in hand to hand combat?", and i answer yes, and I get, but your years of service do not coincide with "THE PROPER YEARS OF ENGAGEMENT",, and again the explanation begins all over,...

... you take on a civi that opens fire in a crowd in a town that holds 15 k normal, and there is 150 k in the city, and expect them to just egress away without trampling,screaming, etc,...

...but any way, PTSD is 3200 frames per minute of a never ending 8 track tape, stressors can be from any one of the 5 senses, I hear the screams of hundreds, I see the flash backs, I smell urine, and I become a steel band, I taste the blood of the wounded, I feel pain,...


...but I served in peacetime,....

...and because I served in peacetime, I don'r even get a veterans credit for my property taxes,(I'm working on that through the state),...

...we all are brothers, and sisters, and that bond shall never be broken, those that served know that they are an elite group, and our honor is untouchable,...

...now call me a *****in wannabe, happened before, and you deal with it, as we have to deal with every moment of every day for the rest of our lives, there is no such thing as a REMF, ain't no FNG here, and the government has no right to tell any of us that we didn't earn every bit of our compensation,...

...rambling as I may, I earned it, and now serve those who need help in my state,...

...NYSDAV,...

...

quote:

...but I served in peacetime,....

...and because I served in peacetime, I don'r even get a veterans credit for my property taxes,(I'm working on that through the state),...

...we all are brothers, and sisters, and that bond shall never be broken, those that served know that they are an elite group, and our honor is untouchable,...

Welcome, you are home now. Many men died in peacetime combat, some women as well. Now we have men and women who shall die in peacetime combat in the future.
What defines combat? When you are under fire, or being assaulted, that's what defines it for you (and me).
You can become service connected for PTSD. Review my website and ask questions.
Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Colin_R:
I have had a claim for PTSD since 82, But now is listed as 1997, And who knows they keep mentioning 2002 as a start date. All Psychiatrist say I have PTSD and the VA agrees, But the Pychologist who did the 4th and last test (did not use the entire test) stated he felt my childhood was the stressor. My case was at the appeals center in WA DC but was shipped to St Louis for overflow, (not sure that is a good thing) After the stressor I fought for a discharge after being in the Hospital 6 months at Travis. The VA says that because I didn't stay in they had no way to 1. see that I requested a change of duty. 2. did poor at work. ect ect. The fact that I have a doctors record that says I didn't want out and suddenly requested a discharge is the same to me as a request for duty status change. the fact that with 2 college degrees I have in 30 years never held a job longer than 9 months and have been totally unable to work for 10 years. Besides panic attacks, social anxiety attacks and heart stints (two of them), prostrate and kidney problmes, perminate rash, high BP, digestive problems since day one out of the military, and now a nodule on the lung. Hearing loss, and border line diabetes, they still are fighting me. At present I have a 10% for my legs. So is the St Louis thing a good or bad thing?

Please go to my website and read all of the PTSD information. You need to e-mail me direct using the link. I need more information as when and where you served, MOS and stressor. We are here to help you.

quote:

Cindy: "The therapist wrote that I threw myself down some stairs. We lived in Texas in a house with no stairs! My progress report from the VA therapist also said I bang my head on walls.
I know it sounds terrible, but I've never banged my head unless it was an accident.

The progress reports from the VA therapist do not represent me or anything that happened to me. Like I said, I presented the therapist with a long stressor letter. That's about it.

I met another woman veteran in my town who goes to VA and sees the same VA therapist and also has Mr. Gibney at DAV for her VSO.
I'm just wondering if her progress report got mixed up in mine!

I don't know if Mr. Gibney can do damage control because I contacted Womens Health Care after I read my progress report and they pretty much told me 'my issues have been addressed'.
That's why I don't go to VA anymore.
My issue was ignored!

The VA psychiatrist would not release his progress report to me.

Thanks for your insight and maybe a direction on how to fix this? It happened last April."

Cindy

The report could have crossed. Please call your DAV rep and ask them to check. It sounds like something is in grave error. It happens now and then, it just needs correction.
Please review my website and e-mail me.
Dave

I'm looking for your website.
Where do I find a link to it?
Thank You,
Cindy

quote:

...rambling as I may, I earned it, and now serve those who need help in my state,...

...NYSDAV,...

...

Terrror:
What is the protocol within DAV concerning
transferring to another DAV rep? Is it wrong
to do that? In what types of situations would a person transfer? For example: If I'm agoraphobic and do not have long distance and my DAV man is not into emailing, how can we communicate?
I need some advice on how to fix my VA claim.
Thank You,
Cindy

quote:

Originally posted by cindyhunter:
I'm looking for your website.
Where do I find a link to it?
Thank You,
Cindy

As it states in the introduction to this Discussion Board:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: intense memories of trauma that won't go away. Whether caused by the horrors of combat or other extreme trauma it lurks quietly in the background of ones day to day life. Some become so distressed by memories of the trauma that they begin to live their lives trying to avoid any reminders of what happened to them. This forum has a deliberately limited number of special purpose topic threads. The main PTSD Discussion thread is Open Topic Discussion. Please read the additional forum rules before posting and please post to existing threads.
About Dave Barker - Dave is a highly experienced Veterans Services Officer and written several books and articles in this area. His web site is http://www.geocities.com/dave_barker_amvet/index.html

quote:

Originally posted by cindyhunter:

quote:

...rambling as I may, I earned it, and now serve those who need help in my state,...

...NYSDAV,...

...

Terrror:
What is the protocol within DAV concerning
transferring to another DAV rep? Is it wrong
to do that? In what types of situations would a person transfer? For example: If I'm agoraphobic and do not have long distance and my DAV man is not into emailing, how can we communicate?
I need some advice on how to fix my VA claim.
Thank You,
Cindy

You need to call the DAV office and ask why the move. When I was a County Veterans Service Officer, prior to coming to AMVETS, some of my claims were with the DAV. Periodically the DAV rotated the NSO's in Ohio, as in their opinion to give better attention to the clients. Somewhat of a fresh approach. Some like it, some do not.

OK I understand I'm posting to the wrong section.
Thank You,
Cindy

quote:

Originally posted by DaveBarker:

quote:

Originally posted by cindyhunter:
I'm looking for your website.
Where do I find a link to it?
Thank You,
Cindy

As it states in the introduction to this Discussion Board:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: intense memories of trauma that won't go away. Whether caused by the horrors of combat or other extreme trauma it lurks quietly in the background of ones day to day life. Some become so distressed by memories of the trauma that they begin to live their lives trying to avoid any reminders of what happened to them. This forum has a deliberately limited number of special purpose topic threads. The main PTSD Discussion thread is Open Topic Discussion. Please read the additional forum rules before posting and please post to existing threads.
About Dave Barker - Dave is a highly experienced Veterans Services Officer and written several books and articles in this area. His web site is http://www.geocities.com/dave_barker_amvet/index.html

quote:

OK I understand I'm posting to the wrong section.
Thank You,
Cindy

You are in the right section. I was giving you the link w/the intro!

I will be on assignment out of area until Sunday evening. Please be patient for responses by me.

quote:

Originally posted by Terrror:
...Good day everyone,...

but your years of service do not coincide with "THE PROPER YEARS OF ENGAGEMENT",, and again the explanation begins all over,...

...but I served in peacetime,....

...now call me a *****in wannabe, happened before, and you deal with it, as we have to deal with every moment of every day for the rest of our lives, there is no such thing as a REMF, ain't no FNG here, and the government has no right to tell any of us that we didn't earn every bit of our compensation,...

...rambling as I may, I earned it, and now serve those who need help in my state,...

...NYSDAV,...

...

Hi Bill, Welcome home, BROTHER.

I like the Quote "THE PROPER YEARS OF ENGAGEMENT", did Osama bin Laden verify the proper years before he attacked us? It's the same BS they tell me...15 months in Vietnam, 4 "close calls", BUT because I am a Seabee and Seabee's are considered "non-combat" there's no reason I should suffer from PTSD...GO AWAY!!! This government sure knows how to treat it's fighting forces, before, during and especially after.

VA people who believe SeaBees were/are non combat have real problems with reality. I have read hundreds of SeaBee records. You guys have
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!

quote:

Originally posted by DaveBarker:
VA people who believe SeaBees were/are non combat have real problems with reality. I have read hundreds of SeaBee records. You guys have
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!

This is the battle I've fought with the VA since I started my quest almost 4 year ago. Now, I have the additional disadvantage of having a nonservice connected disability. In 1999 I was diagnosed by a private doctor with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (enlarging of the heart wall) and backed-up by the VA's testing, it is supposedly hereditary. It has forced me into retirement at age 61. Because I collect SSDI, the first question I am asked during any interview for additional disability from the VA is "are you STILL collecting SSDI?" I know SSDI is a separate program and is NOT to be considered for VA disability compensation, but the VA evidently doesn't.

That, my friend and brother Dave, is why I become so disheartened with the constant battle that forces me to relive every terrifying minute of my 2 tours in Vietnam as a Seabee, over and over again. The VA won't listen to me.

I'm sorry, this probably doesn't belong here. Dave, if you want to move it to a more appropiate thread, please do so. THANKS!!!!

Dave, I just found this section.

I don't know if others were like me. I was going to OldAFcop and thought that was all there was.

I went back to Military.com, health and benefits and found you here.

The links that were posted in open discussion on the old site only bring me to AF Cop.

Just mentioning this in case anyone else is having trouble finding you, or if some people have dissappeared.

Bill

Dave,

Since Depression can be apart of PTSD. Does the VA require seperate proof of both?

I suffer/suffered from depression, I have been told some of the things I have seen growing up could be PTSD, but honestly, those images never bothered me as much as the depression.

I guess what I am asking is, do they see them as different things altogether?

Can it be both?

Just courious, It took me many years to accept that I had depression and at one time I even denied I wanted to kill myself. When I finally "woke" up, I was able to talk about it without breaking out in a sweat, or getting sick.

I denied it because remembering the gun in my mouth was to painful, knowing that I tryed for days pull the trigger. That all I wanted to do was die, but I couldnt finish it. I didnt want to remember that.

Thanks Dave, you will never know how much you and the others here have helped me. Being able to talk with you guys and to share my feelings have made me a better person.

I know that my depression or PTSD(if I have it) is not the same as war PTSD. Depression however takes many forms, and I know how one feels when you think death is better than living. Without my wife, who came into my life just as I was at my wits end, was a blessing.

I dont know how many more days I would have been able to hold on, but meeting her, well, God must have been watching, because at the time, he was the only one who knew how bad I was.

I am here to tell you there are not always signs of someone suffering from depression. I went to work, did my job, would talk with neighbors, and you would never have guessed I was in my house later that night sitting with a gun in my hand, pizzed and scared at the same time.

I beg of anyone that is doing that, please speak out, get help, talk with someone, hell, email me. I will be glad to listen and/or help anyway I can. I dont want anyone going through what I did. Please, please, get help.

I promise you, once you do, you will realize its not as bad as you think.

Thank you and God Bless.

You can have depression unrelated to PTSD, you can have PTSD with depression. PTSD is reliving of a traumatic event, which is out of the normal realm of existance. There is no simple answer as everyone is affected differently.

Hi,
I also have a PTSD related question. My bf came back last week from Iraq and has been diagnosed with PTSD. It was his second tour and even before that he was diagnosed with it but it went untreated somehow. Now the question I am having is: I was supposed to go to be with him after he comes back from his deployment. He wanted to find a house which is what he is still doing. He also tells me he loves me and misses me and wants to be with me. But he said he doesn't want to see me before Christmas at his parents and that I should come after that to stay with him.
He said he has a lot to deal with and he just wants to get back to himself and not be bugged with things. I told him this is all ok with me, but he never told me any of this and I am not mad when he needs time on his own but that it is important that he talks to me about this so I can act accordingly. Now I started to read about PTSD and how people withdraw themselves from their surrounding and their loved ones.
I am not sure if I should do as he wishes and wait until Christmas or go there on my own risk and try to help him. I only want him well and I want to do the best I can do to support him and be there for him. I just get this feeling that he is withdrawing himself from me. And also his family (parents and brothers and sister) from what I can see so far. It is really hard to figure out what the right thing for me to do is.