I'd like to know what you think about my website. Please leave your comments in this public guest book so I can share your thoughts with other visitors.
"Unfortunately I do not provide a phone service from my website as because I am not a professional medical person or trained in that, I do not feel comfortable being in a one-to-one verbal situation as this I feel is a very specialist skill.
If you would like to ask for anything specific you can email me direct at Andy@ptsd.org.uk
Please can I ask everyone not to send any attachments with their email (without previously asking), as I will just delete the email as an email virus precaution. This is due to many malicious emails being sent recently with viruses attached that my system has detected and removed.
I would like to ask that everyone respectfully observes the confidentiality and dignity of those who use this website and guest book.
Please do not put messages requesting information or ask for peoples identities... this will not be given.
Please use the links below to read the archived comments which have been left in my guest book.
July 2001 - March 2002 Comments April 2002 - June 2002 Comments
July 2002 - March 2003 Comments April 2003 - July 2003 Comments
August 2003 - March 2004 Comments April 2004 - Sept 2004 Comments
Oct 2004 - Mar 2005 Comments April 2005 - Sept 2005 Comments
Oct 2005 - Mar 2006 Comments April 2006 - Sept 2006 Comments
Oct 2006 - Mar 2007 Comments April 2007 - Sept 2007 Comments
- Date:
- 1 April 2008
- Time:
- 19:40
Comments
Many thanks Andy for taking the time to address a subject that many find difficult to even acknowledge. I've been suffering from PTSD for over 10 years now which eventually led to nervous breakdown. I'm on the tough journey of trying to rebuild my life and my career. Unlike the majority of guests to your site, I'm not in the forces, although, my parents were, I am in fact a serving police officer. However, my experiences are more than similar and share others in the despair of this condition not being recognised and funding not being available for the correct treatment.
I beg anyone who holds the purse strings for the medical welfare of personnel to take this matter seriously. In most cases PTSD was a result of someone helping or protecting another human being.
Just because you can't see our injuries it doesn't mean we don't suffer.
Wishing all your readers courage in their recovery - your not alone.
Dear friends, someone has tried on three occasions to leave a message via the guestbook but unfortunately only part of the message is getting through for some reason and unfortunately I cannot put half a sentence that has not context onto the Guest book.
If you are having difficulties please email direct and explain this and tell me you would like the comment placed on the Guest Book and I will help. It is important that you finish your message before you hit the submit comment button.
I would like to thank the many thousands of people who have contacted me and the hundreds who have felt they wanted to leave a message for others to enjoy.
Andy
- Date:
- 21 April 2008
- Time:
- 14:03
Comments
HI Andy
an excellent website as a gulf vet from 90/91 I know only too well what our condition is like ,people say they understand ,but they don't have a Scooby , combat stress helped me I owe them a lot ,I have not been there now for nearly 4 yrs ,my life has turned around for the better , I manage too keep a part time job down and I am in a long term relationship like many others I lost my home ,marriage and family the nights are still long and times I have a relapse it never fully goes away ,but with effort help and guidance it can be a different world, so I say to all fellow suffers no matter how bad things get hang on in there because you too can find light at the end of the tunnel.
- Date:
- 4 May 2008
- Time:
- 22:59
Comments
Having returned from Iraq a couple of months ago after my third time our there I am finding it very hard too cope back home. During my time out there we had some very close calls apart from one resulting in my friend being killed. On returning too the UK I had a top homecoming but after the initial happiness I have never felt lower in my life. I have a girlfriend of 1 year who I constantly push away, cant explain just don't want her too get close in case I lose her. I didn't really drink before I went away but now I drink every night till hopefully I get pissed then I might fall asleep straight away. Really finding it hard too sleep prob get a max of about 3 hours a night and feel so drained. Cant really say any of this too the work lads cause I don't wanna feel weak but feel that I do need help.
"If you email me direct at Andy@ptsd.org.uk we can talk in confidence and I will give you more detailed help where I can. You are not alone with the way in which you are feeling and these are classic PTSD symptoms and one which many of us have been through. I look forward to hearing from soon."
Andy
- Date:
- 8 May 2008
- Time:
- 21:20
Comments
Hi Andy
A good helpful sight I am ex army with five tours of NI under my belt a stubborn obstinate individual who thought he could cope with the rat race when he left three months in I was chewing at the bit trying to get back in the army unfortunately at that time it was the era of maggies millions so it was a no go. I joined the TA and served that way coping with civvy street just. Then a few years ago events took over hated not being able to deal with problems at work like we could in the military (book the boxing ring etc) got ridiculed because I was climbing the walls trying to get out to the gulf got offered Cyprus (not good enough the gulf would have been the way out as I wanted it) anyway it ends the other crap don't suppress anger and stress so much that I end up with psoriasis so no good even for the TA now. So I am an outsider in a world I don't understand and cant cope with.
After a bit of group CBT I am diagnosed with PTSD I don't understand at first because its nothing to do with my time served (I don't think so anyway still got to explore that end). Anyway get to see a CPN who finally tries to fully understand me and her help has brought me on so much so that I am at the final stages of studying counselling at level three when I pass this I will be going for the diploma. The areas my CPN thinks I should work are either abused kids or PTSD or something with the military.
I found this site because I was looking for Combat Stress and am glad I did as it has given me more of an insight into what it is and how familiar some of the symptoms are to me.
mike
- Date:
- 12 May 2008
- Time:
- 01:42
Comments
I found your web site very interesting and informative. I am the wife of an R.A.F. (ex) man diagnosed with p.t.s.d. I just want to say not only has my husbands life changed but so has mine and our children's. The man who went to Bosnia never came back he was lost out there and is still there, our lives will never be the same I am sad to say.
- Date:
- 13 May 2008
- Time:
- 00:12
Comments
I am a train driver and have just killed my second suicide under my train.
I know it's not the same as killing in combat and all the destruction and terror that you see but no one seems to understand what's happened to me.
I have tried talking to my family but they seem unable to accept what's happened. There are few jobs left now that put you in the position of killing someone ( with exception of the armed forces obviously ). I lay awake at night rather than have nightmares and when I do manage a bit of sleep I keep getting up to check on my children. I am a single mother with all the responsibilities that involves and I feel I can't let them down but I also feel I am going mad. I know that there are people on here who have seen terrible things and I feel ashamed to complain but the truth is I still killed 2 people through no fault of my own.
You need to go to your GP and talk to him or her about how you are feeling and the effect it is having on your life. They will refer to you your local Community Mental Health Team (no that does not mean you are mad), they are a group of professionals specially trained to help you. There is good help and support out there and people who can help you get through this. If you need any other help or advice please email direct and I will support you where I can.
Andy
- Date:
- 26 May 2008
- Time:
- 18:43
Comments
I am Ex Falklands diagnosed with PTSD just before Xmas, 25 years on.
The question I get asked, and see in peoples faces, is why when they got by after WW1 & 2.
The answer I have worked out is when they came home everyone had been through it.
Nowadays Veterans are a unique group who come home to bunting and proud friends and relatives. Most of whom have never served or been in a situation similar for an extended period.
WW1 & WW2 Vets could mostly go down the legion and laugh off there situations.
We come home, welcome their appreciation, but nothing stops the thoughts, reliving the tour, isolation we feel and many more depending on the person.
We sit on it and let it get worse until something breaks or nearly breaks if your lucky!
To all if on seeing this site and it jingles a bell, GET HELP.
It wont be easy, if you have a good doctor (I did) there will be a queue of people willing to help in my case. First contact to the help coming could be about 3 months so don't get disheartened, it goes in phases help, wait a few months, help etc.
All of you out their Take Care!
Another Andy
- Date:
- 8 June 2008
- Time:
- 14:40
Comments
This site is very helpful. I am dealing with my partners combat PTSD and I don't know how to help him. He left the Army 2 years ago and went through awful experiences on several tours. It helps to know other people are dealing with similar symptoms.
Is it normal for him to turn on me when something
- Date:
- 12 June 2008
- Time:
- 14:51
Comments
Been there and got the 'T' Shirt too.
Thanks for helping
Spent too long on drink'n'drugs with no help from the system I help preserve. Even after 25 years out I still have 'Night Terrors' and Flashbacks - now they are fewer and less distressing.
Wish there had been something like this when I needed it.
IF ANYONE READING THIS HAS ANY OF THE SYMPTOMS ON THE LIST GET HELP - NOW
God Bless, keep the Faith.
Shotgun 02 Clear