Couple of questions, charlie. How long has it been since you reported?

Have you seen a doctor (psych) since returning??

I can understand your fright--I would be scared, in your circumstances. You can contct a chaplain at the nearest base and they will help you get back into the hospital for further treatment, if that is what you need, or back with your unit, if that is what they want for you. As I am no doctor, I would never presume to tell you whether you are suffering from PTSD, nut I would say that you could definitely use someone to talk to and help.

It'll probably never completely go away, but you've got to recognize that here aint there. come to terms with who and where you are. G.L.

I support you.. Please try to get some medical care asap.. You need help.. I don't think anyone could judge you because you had a breakdown.. Love D

Hi my name is Andy I am retired Air Force. Please get help. You are active duty military,so you can go to any military hospital any branch/ instilation. Go to sickcall/the ER. Talk with a doctor tell him what is going on and ask for help, It will do u no good to run and will really hurt your family with worry. They will probably end up giving u a medical discharge or if you need hospitalization might arrage for you to enter VA facility. If you become AWOl there is an automatic bounty on you. Hope this helps

Hi.

I am the wife of a Vietnam Vet that also has dementia. I am not a dr but you seem to have the classic symptoms of PTSD. You need to get to the nearest VA Med Center asap to get the proper treatment. When my husband finished his tour of duty in Vietnam, he was never debreifed. He served during the Tet offensive and fought at Khe Sanh. When he went stateside, he couldn't handle being away from his fellow veterans -he felt guilty leaving them even though he had been wounded (and refused the purple heart) and served honorably. He went awol and served time in the brink but at that time there was no diagnosis of PTSD. He left the corps and immediately applied to be a fireman and was one for 28 years. During most of his post military time, he suffered as an alcoholic and I never thought of this as possibly being related to his service. Ten years ago he was arrested for a DUI and it changed his life. He went in for rehab(privately-not through the VA) and after finishing his 28 day treatment he continued in therapy. It was fortunate for him that the therapist had done alot of work with Vietnam Vets and she diagnosed him with PTSD. He suffered a long time and if he were treated 20 years before this, perhaps he wouldn't have suffered so long. My point is, no matter what happens, running will not help anyone-least of all you. At least now there is a huge focus on returning Iraq and Afgan vets and PTSD. You are not alone and a medical professional is the only person you should be talking to. We are all here to support you and you will not get better "wishing this away" nor will "tomorrow be better". It may be better temporarily but in the end, you need to have professional help. Good Luck.

Thanks katho9 I think what you wrote is so very helpful to this young man..we faced some of the same issues..it would have been nice to know what it was sooner then later good luck Love D

Hi Charlie. As a wife of a veteran who just returned home from Iraq, I beg you to go get help. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Please don't run, it will only make things worse. There are people who love and support you. My husband has also been diagnosed with PTSD. It is scary, but one must face his fears and problems in order to learn from them and conquer them.

well, you are not a horrible person. you are a hero. need to present yourself back to the military because your unauthorized absence is now heaped on your other problems, and you don't need that. Your defense is mental illness. I don't know what your latitude is re: civilian counsel. You want that on your side (good counsel) before turning yourself over,.. if you can prearrange it. If not, turn over anyway. I am fairly certain you will have some kind of counsel one way or the other. Solve this problem first, then you are availed to many other opportunities to tackle the other.

you're not horrible you're one of millions who still suffer from it. I have it too and had it even before there was a name for it.. Unfortunately, in my mind the VA only knows how to pop pills, we all need someone to talk to. I used to go to the local vet center. They specialize in counsiling vets either individually or in groups and its usually free for vets. Look them up. Their NOT directly connected to the VA but work closely with them.

Check the VA's PTSD website at:
http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/index.jsp

and also at the Gulf Vet VA site at:
http://www.oefoif.va.gov/

for any clues that may be of help, treatment under VA care may mitigate any Army response.

While in the civilian mode, check through the local Mental Health Hotline or the local United Way about agencies that offer PTSD services and meds. As all of us know, PTSD slams people, kids, women abused, etc., on the streets everyday in our America, so you might be able to get treatment from local non-profits.

Either way, sooner or later the date with the Man will come, so prep for that. Look up the Legal Aid Society, they are everywhere, they might be able to point you in the right direction when you are ready to start your way back.