This removing of the "D" is a very polarizing issue. Why is it that you think it should be removed?

Many I know, believe that removing the "Disorder" makes it NOT a recognizable, or "covered" condition and therefore it isn't covered by the VA?

Just curious. Thanks.

Hi friends. Yes the VA uses disorder because that is consistent with the DSM-IV. But in talking about the awful stress that follows a traumatic event, I simply do now view my brothers and sisters with this pain as disordered. These are wounds that can happen to anyone and take so many forms. They do not result from or lead to craziness or any other pathology that might cause people to judge.
In other words, just because one has a "diagnosis" of PTSD, should not categorize or pathologize the vet, but it seems to do just that. So, by not using the "D" is my way of not making any quick judgements. let' s work on the stress and its effect on families and let the "docs" work on the "disorder " which is a moving target. This is a debate we need to have with the VA too, but let's help each other on the non-medical side.
Thanks so much for your caring question.

Are there any groups on here for family of vetrans experiencing PTSD years into retirement? What are the available treatments and has anyone experienced physicians telling patient to get rid of family members in order to survive PTSD? or is this just an excuse to end our relationship?

Hello ,
Robert here...34 the engineers . Vietnam. 1967/68. 12 months.
Was in tdy. Phu loi. When tet broke out .
I'm 70 years old now . all the years that I've been back I never thought that I had PTSD . I knew that I WS different., but never thought much of it. In 2007 my wife left me after 38 years . I was divistated . I didn't know where to turn to so, I went to the va.
Right away they started to help me. I saw a psychiatrist regularly and went to classes. The divorce triggered my PTSD... I knew then that I had all these sythoms for many years. So I was dealing with the lost of a wife...and all her family. And vietnam PTSD. The dreams....?loud sounds .??jumpy... Aleay in fear..?.? Want to be alone a lot..? All that stuff.
I've been going to VA PTSD classes now for about 7 years. Yes, it has helped some. Just by understanding call about PTSD. I've met and made some really good VN vet friends we we get together here and there. It's nice to be with someone who understands whatvyoure going through..... Do, I would say..YES, get over to the VA. Sign up for some classes...
The question always comes up , is there anythig for family. Yes, and no.... No meaning there's some literature out there . the yes is that our Therapist said that we could have our spouses / family come in to participate if everyone agrees. Or she would even go one on one with us. So, there ya go..?ya gotta ask !!!! Ha ha.
I still have my dreams.. And a lot of the other sythoms but at least now . I understand why....?
Go take care of yourselves brothers.... It helps.
Carry on...... Bob

I realize this post is over 3 years old, but. . . Feeling nostalgic for fellow vets and this happens to be a subject which is pertinent to my own life.

I carried my PTSD into the Army with me in 1973, but I have benefited greatly from Army and VA support groups since before "Shell Shock" became PTSD. The Army shrink who worked with me in Germany was radical enough to put me in support groups with his shell shock patients on the theories he had formed in Viet Nam while working with civilian "shell shock" patients. I benefit from the civilian groups as well. Possibly more since there are more civilian groups with allot less red taped attached.

The explanation of PTS vs. PTSD which made sense to me used a surprise scare in the hallway as an example. The heightened pulse and rapid breathing is normal Post Traumatic Stress. Realizing the surprise in the hallway was just a family member is all the processing the trauma typically needs. If your pulse still rises at the thought of entering that hallway a year later, the normal Post Traumatic Stress has acquired the "D" of the disorder.

Sigh. . . It is kinda sad that this is such a slow-moving forum.