There are certain cues or stressors which can be harmful to those with PTSD.

We've had some comments from those with PTSD to avoid the Saddam Hussein videos.

I think that's a good idea.

Also beware of news media on TV and newspaper! When you know what your "trigger(s)" try to avoid them . Sally

[quote] We've had some comments from those with PTSD to avoid the Saddam Hussein videos.(quote]

Very good advice. Flash

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I had my C&P last August and still nothing from Seattle.

You need to call your veterans service officer. That is an extremely long period from a C&P not to have a decision, unless there is a problem.

Taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do for your family, your loved ones and for the rest of us here.

Being aware of your stressors and dealing with them under competent supervision makes life a whole lot more pleasant.

Happy New Year!

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talking about stressers , i just heard jane fondas back inthe news , protesters aginst the war in iraq, my stress went up 110 percent on hearing this

I can,t believe I,m watching demostrations on TV right now. It was a year ago I drove by one of these on the way to a job in fresno.Their was a crowd of people waving flags and yelling at me in spanish.It took me back to 6-2-66 in Santo Domingo when on a two man patrol we made a turn and drove into hundreds or thousands of dom. reps. having a anti. amer. demostration after their elections of 6-1.The mob went crazy on the sight of us and our radio could not reach to anyone in that narrow street.We drove thru the mob with our weapons pointed at them.I was scared that we could be overwhemed and burned to death in the street as they had done that to some of there Nat.plolice force.We got thru somehow and stoped a couple blocks away to take our shirts off since they were soaked thru from people spiting on us.

Last year the crowds sent me to the vets. hosp. with BP over 240--this year I stayed out of Dodge. I should not watch TV today , but here I am. dumm--tkanks for listening

I live in Valencis Spain.fireworks 300 days a year!but my PTSD goe back many years ago(when it was not recognized )My evaluation was a 30 minute session with a shrink from Switzerland.I was rated at 30%but thanks to the infamous sliding scale,I was awarded 10%( I still don't understand the reason for the sliding scale)The clinic I went to was a VA appointed clinic in Madrid.I am adicted to the medication,but it is the only thing that helps me to get through each day,however it keeps me in a stupor.Some times I feel like just ending it all so I can be at peace.This is not living,it is just existing.

Hello All,
The VA claims process is a stressor.

The claims process only works because of the appeals process.

You must Appeal, Appeal, Appeal,..until you receive what you are appropriately entitled to.

Speaking of stressors...

I've got my hearing at the VA Regional in a week... I'm already having anxiety attacks over it... I have to drive 50 miles one way, and not really even sure where I'm going (never been there) and I have to go by myself (hubby has to work -- it's the busy season).

I'm really nervous, and stressed, and then there's being around all those men I don't know... ugh... we shouldn't have to be subjected to triggers just due to someone's screwup.

This is a stressor for me. My wife started going to a group for women who's husbans have PTSD. May sound dumb to some of you, but after years of wanting her to go she is at a group at VA. Now I have to talk to her about it instead of just being quite.

Well,I have appealed,and it only took about three weeks to get my turn down reply(too bad you cannot get good news that fast.When it comes to stressors,who knows what may trip their trigger,I can be in a restaurant where there are a lot of people,and it will hit.Sometimes I get ill and think I am having a heart attack,and sometimes The least little thing will cause me to go into a rage.I cannot even go four blocks from our apartment without getting lost,so I am pretty much home bound.I guess what the VA is telling me is "take your 10% and be thankful"I have never met any VET yet who has won an appeal.I just wonder when Bush will take what compensation we do get away from us.Don't laugh,I have a feeling that is going to happen.Sorry for the spelling,I have forgotten a lot of things,spelling being one of them.I don't mean to slam the Prez,just saying what I think and feel.

Did you have a VSO help you with your claim? The VA is very good at denying claims that the veteran does on our own.I am going through that now myself. Contact a VSO that you can work with? I won my PTSD claim on first appeal with my VSO helping me. I dug up evidence that the rater had not even read in the complete claim folder! Also did you have a comp& pen exam? I still have panic attacks and tend to isolate. There is good stressors( positve things, music, friend& family that know that you have PTSD) and then there is bad stress ( negative things, triggers). Take Care, Sally

There are many veterans who have won their appeals!

Your VSO can and will prepare all the necessary paperwork. Some appeals can go before a Hearing Officer and are very expedient. (Fast). Others do take a very long time. It's important to try to listen very carefully to what your VSO tells you and follow their guidance. They are experts in their job and are there to help YOU.

Thanks.

VA Appeals huh? My hearing with a Federal Judge June of 2006 on camera in Denver, and as told to me, once it leaves the judges office it takes 6 months for a decision. Did anyone buy that one? It took 6 months to get TO his office after the hearing. It went from his office undecided in May of 2007 back to The VBA to sit for 5 months. Then off to an office called The Managerment Center where it sat for several more months. Then they sent me a letter stating my claim had been denied with instructions for yet another appeal. ( Mind you this all started out on September 2002!!!!! ). Then I find out that they hadn't denied the claim yet even though I had a letter from them saying it was. THEN yet some more months go by until I do get the official deniel May 2008! The VA, and many will agree with is this it does not know what the right hand is saying to the left. AND!!! When rated for 10% PTSD/Bi Polar from a brain injury (1983)NAVY SpecOps So. Am., rated in 1989 which was told to me by doctors at Madigan Army Hospital Ft Lewis, that I am 1 in 20 to be alive from the severity of this injury and to get a 100% permanent rating as of 12/2000 for the same thing and have been taking the same medication all along and will always. I don't know what more proof they need for an earlier effective date through the 90's. You know? Those years when my fractured skull was so bad I would vomit all I'd eat? Developed terrible stomach problems wondewring where and how I would survive living on the streets?
The VA IS DOING THIS on purpose. Denying claims. The fact of the matter is we served our Country and now that we need physical/emotional/medical, and financial help they'd really rather that we just die so they won't have to pay us.... Ask anybody

The VA's job is to follow Federal law and implement it. There are cases where the VA has not always been consistent in application of ratings. Some states have been noted as being far more lenient towards veterans than others. It's good to check with fellow vets to see what their experience is like.

That will give you a better handle on what to expect.

I have a Vietnam Vet buddy that is waiting for his, what is it?? Decision on 100% disability??

Anyway, he was told by the local VA, That average wait times are about 130 days, not much longer, so you should contact your VSO and find out, at least inquire about it...

Even a backlog shouldnt be that long, all this according to my friend, who is going through it, not my personal experience, I have no clue as to how it works...

Just think that is waaay to long to wait..

Good advice.

Regional Centers vary significantly in their processing time. A good VSO will do what is needed to help track claims for the benefit of the veteran. Stick with the VSO's advice and counsel.

hey guys, another stressor type movie, I think...

You may wish to avoid "Stop Loss". The story line involves a squad in Iraq, and what occurs after they return to the states, including one who is about to be discharged being "stop lossed". Some of it is graphic, but the part I think is going to be the worst is the pervasive feeling of helplessness and the various ways it's depicted.

A quote from the movie that really struck me...that so-called "stop lossing" is actually a "back door draft". Yeah...it is. Exactly.

Not to get super political but I watched a group of four movies in the last couple days, not at all related to each other but all on some different aspect of the most recent two "conflicts", and frankly it gets really clear that several things which are not at all illegal but still are only supposed to happen under very specific or very extreme circumstances have been made matter of course stuff without those circumstances in the past scant few years. "Stop lossing", which is only supposed to happen essentially in time of war to ensure people with badly needed skills who cannot easily be replaced due to such things as that war going on for a long time or the necessary skill group having been exhausted so no replacements are available to draft, is one such thing.

Between the movie plotline and the stuff it makes you think about...whew. It's well done cinematically but I can't watch it again myself.