Well this isn't about PTSD, I just didn't know where to put this. I am in the Army, I am a 11B. I have only been in for about 7 months. My problem is that I am really depressed and don't know who to go to or what I should do or say. I been having depression problems before I joined. I haven't been to a pyschologist or anything so I really don't know what I have. To be honest the Army is really stressing me out and is making it alot worst. Can anyone tell me what I need to do?

AD people have a great deal in the way of resources. If any AD person has health issues of any kind, get to your closest medic, clinic or base hospital. Depression can be treated rather easily. Personnel are not any good to themselves or to their unit if they are not in top shape.

Thanks for the visit here. Stop back often and tell us of your progress!

what he said!

Also if you are not clinically depressed you may wish to speak with one of the chaplains first. That's one of the things they're there for, to talk with. If you opt to try that and a couple meetings don't change anything, go talk to the folks at the base hospital.

Sometimes we just need someone to help sort something out, and sometimes we need some kind of treatment. Let us know how it works out.

I am also depressed a lot. After a mental breakdown 2 years ago I went from a very angry,confrontational "road rage" sort of guy to total depression. I don't want to leave the house and am afraid of my own shadow. I can sit and stair for hours.

I'm 30% disabled due to wounds received in action in RVN (Tet 68) and 70% for PTS. According to VA math I'm paid at 80%. The thing about depression is it doesn't show. People can tell if you're angry but not depressed.

I was standing in line at a store recently and for some reason I knew the guy in front of me was about to explode in anger. Well he did and was a real verbal jerk with the clerk for no reason. Depression doesn't show outwardly.

Does the VA have any programs for vets to keep our minds occupied?

The differential diagnosis between PTSD and depression is a tough call. Depression can be part and parcel of the spectrum of PTSD. Depression can be very difficult to treat. It is best treated with a combination of medication, competent clinical intervential and a lot of good work on the part of the veteran. Stay ahead of depression as it can become an uneeded burden for a veteran who has already experienced the stressors of PTSD.