I got a little heated in this thread.
Here is why.
I was "fine" until I asked for something to help me sleep... I was having trouble adjusting to a regular schedule after 6 years of rotating patrols and days without sleep.
"Well, we should look at WHY you aren't sleeping" (guy with paper on wall)
"Hmmm....well, we think you have PTSD.
"But I just can't sleep sometimes and over the counter stuff makes my hands hurt. What the hell? Forget it then.."
"You just told me you are having symptoms of PTSD....well, I will give you something to sleep then. But you now have PTSD. You have to take klonopin, depakote, zyprexa, seroquel and see a therapist or we will stop your benefits and have you committed."
Congratulations, you now have a customer.
And heck, if we try hard enough, we can support three, maybe four "counselors" and more bureaucracy by over inflating my not being able to sleep.
My former military service is now bigger business than the equipment I used to kill.
This is the way of North America now.
I've gone to two different doctors with chest pain and both of them prescribed Prozac! Trying to convince me that I have anxiety when I'm a very laid back person.
Got X-rays from a chiropractor and he showed me how my spine (outta whack) was pulling on my rib cage causing the chest pain I was experiencing.
Haven't had problems for a few years now.
I wouldn't doubt if half the continent isn't on some kind of anti-depressant. More and more "text book" diagnosis for kids now than ever. For anyone!
Here we have this textbook terminology..........Let's see who fits in.
The problem is......Everyone has their OWN EXPERIENCES that make up their character.
How can all these DIFFERENT people be lumped together?
Everyone has their own way of dealing with things based on the experiences that make them who they are.
I'm sure the intentions are good with most of those who have a job "helping people" like physicians and counselors.
But somehow it all leads to more profits for big pharma in the long run.
Here's a pill for your problems.
IMO, if anyone happens to feel symptoms of PTSD, get together with a bunch that served with you, have some beers and get sh*t off your chest.
These are the people that would know best with what you're going through. They all may cope with stress differently which is good. More options.
Cheers,
Dave.