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.

 

Add Your Comments

If you would like to submit a comment please click here and leave the message in the form provided

 

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

Oct 2007 - Mar 2008 Comments               April 2008 - Sept 2008 Comments

Oct 2008 - Mar 2009 Comments

 

I need to apologise to anyone who has tried to send in messages over the past few months, I have had technicalities with my website but I hope that these are being resolved now!  Unfortunately I still may miss some periodically until everything is fixed.

I must also remind everyone that if you wanted to contact me on a personal level then email me at Andy@ptsd.org.uk as I will not publish messages I feel are too personal to protect the sender.

I do not get your emails address through the guestbook either so cannot respond personally to you this way.

Andy

 
Date:
2 Jul 2009
Time:
20:37

Comments

I received a message on the 2nd July from a soldier who was in Gornji Vakuf and needs to talk.  Please email me at Andy@ptsd.org.uk and we can chat some more.  I too was out in Bosnia and went through Gornji Vakuf to and from Tusla and know what a hell hole it was.  I am here for you and look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Andy

 
Date:
27 Jul 2009
Time:
21:45

Comments

Hi Andy, I have just qualified as a Person-centered Counsellor and I am very keen to specialise in PTSD.

I would like to offer my services and skills to people who have a genuine need for support and who could make use of the skills I have spent the last four years training for.

I look forward to getting a reply from you and perhaps some guidance.

Yours very sincerely

Ella Lund MBACP,

Dips Person-Centered Counsellor

 
Date:
27 Jul 2009
Time:
22:47

Comments

Well done with the site, learnt more here than the 10 years since diagnosed I'm a single parent and really worried about the future my drinking and general health I do not want to go to combat stress they have ask me to go several times over years but I always find a reason not to social services are now on my case which adds more stress. Well that's me done thank you well done

 
Date:
29 Jul 2009
Time:
08:59

Comments

Hi Andy, thank you for your help with my mental health training what you have shared with me is so valuable , I hope in some way in my future work I can help to change the way the N H service sees service personnel, they certainly will wherever I work anyway.

Lynn

 
Date:
29 Jul 2009
Time:
17:22

Comments

Having been out of the Army for a few years now, I have finally decided that I am not some kind of superhuman, who can handle what he saw and done, that real men don't have emotional/mental issues, and that I really do need help. Without having a clue where to start, your site has been a great source of inspiration in getting the ball rolling.

Thanks.

 
Date:
5 Aug 2009
Time:
09:02

Comments

Hi there,

I am a wife of an ex-military personnel, my husband has been on many tours. The last being the Gulf War (Op Telic). He is attending Audley court at the moment. Things go up and down and it has not been easy. I cannot thank them enough for the support they give to him. I have three children of which my husband finds hard to relate to, he goes from one extreme to the other, he is either all over us or so distant that he cannot even talk to us. It is very hard for the wives out there. 

I have researched into PTSD to help me understand but, was wondering if you know of any web sites that the wives and partners of sufferers can let of steam and support others in the same situations as we tend to be the ones giving the support and not receiving any. I was warned a long time ago that things get worse before they get better. 

I love my husband to bits, but I am sure many reading this can relate to this comment my loving caring husband was lost in the gulf war and only his shell came back. I would be willing to listen to anyone who would like to join a support network, as the saying goes a trouble shared is a troubled halved.

I would also like to say thank you Andy for this web site as you have cut through all the jargon and offered an easy to read explanation of PTSD.

Take care and God bless

Julie

Hi Julie, this is one area that struggles to get recognition however Combat Stress do hold days at their treatment centres for wives where they can meet and get support from one and other.  If you contact Morag @ Audley Court, I am sure she will give you the details of the next meeting?

Andy

 
Date:
24 Sept 2009
Time:
17:15

Comments

thanks for this site. semper fi.

 
Date:
28 Oct 2009
Time:
09:24

Comments

Thank you for creating this site. Having suffered from PTSD following an explosion in my house, it's so good to be able to relate to the comments, though often I found it hard to read due to the tears in my eyes - maybe of relief to find I'm not alone. I've been lucky in having treatment which has helped me begin to come to terms with it. It's a long process.

 
Date:
28 Oct 2009
Time:
21:49

Comments

My name don't matter on this message I wrote to you once before saying I just crack on I only did two tours of NI I left in 98.

three years ago I hit a wall and went ballistic in a car doing about 80 with my wife and kid only a heated argument ,since then I've been put on anti depressants I have cut my self I really didn't no why I did I have had the counselling which didn't work for me for all I thought about this fella aint gotta clue or oh crap I'm gonna get my kids taken away.

also I thought that way on my anger management and I was defensive with them and played their game.

Now I'm off the course and going through with drawl from the anti depressants I'm on .

I don't no if I have ptsd no one would say so again I'll crack on I'm sorry if this sounds negative but I don't no how to say it

Have you thought about contacting Combat Stress and asking to talk to a welfare officer?  They really are the experts and could help you with many things as well as getting you into one of their treatment centres where you will meet up with other vets who have similar issues with PTSD?

Andy

 
Date:
06 Nov 2009
Time:
18:01

Comments

Andy, brilliant website, so informative am having panic/anxiety attack as I am working my way through your site. Reassuring to learn that I am not alone in my symptoms and feelings thank you so much....best wishes to you all and thank you...

 
Date:
03 Dec 2009
Time:
09:36

Comments

Hi Andy,

I am so very proud of you !!

well done and congratulations with the release of your autobiography!!!

Tulip.

 
Date:
03 Dec 2009
Time:
10:42

Comments

I feel guilty saying I have ptsd. my problems started a couple of months after a very stressful day at work - I work as a support advisor for the elderly - this particular day I found a tenant dead in the morning and another dead in the afternoon-at the time I coped., but recently cant face the though of finding anyone else and the slightest thing un-nerves me- get very annoyed with myself that something like this could effect me this way - have been doing the job for 10 years and never had a problem.

Please do not feel guilty, what you need to do is to go to your GP and get some real help and support.  If you want more support or advice please email me direct?

Andy

 
Date:
03 Dec 2009
Time:
21:14

Comments

Andy,

Still going strong mate well done buddy. How do I get a copy of your book?

It came out 1st December so I'm told?

Andy ex 2 R Anglian

I hope it will be available on Amazon really soon, the book was printed this week so it is now down to the publisher to get it on sale ASAP.

Andy

 
Date:
08 Dec 2009
Time:
13:56

Comments

Hi Andy, great site, nice to know I'm not alone. My accident can NO way compare with you guys, but I was an electrician with London electricity board and back in'98 had a 3 phase flash over in a substation causing a fault current of 43000 amperes. Shouldn't be here, gone off my nut!!

 

 
Date:
23 Dec 2009
Time:
02:41

Comments

Very simply, thank you for being here.

 
Date:
13 Jan 2010
Time:
04:19

Comments

Good work! Really interesting site.

 
Date:
26 Jan 2010
Time:
01:16

Comments

I'm not an ex-service person, but have PTSD after suffering domestic abuse, then being stalked and harassed for years by my ex-husband- he also hurt my child. It's taken several years to accept the horrendous problems I'm left with, which just won't go away. I just wanted to say thank you because your site is one of the most helpful I've found. I'm finally starting to get some good help now but still have flashbacks, panic attacks , nightmares- well, you know how it works...Feel like I'm intruding since I'm obviously a civilian and have never experienced war or death, but didn't want to read and run. So much of this site has such valuable and sensible advice and information. I'm bookmarking it to help me with my own fight against PTSD- thanks again.

 
Date:
24 Feb 2010
Time:
12:40

Comments

Andy, after reading your book, my heart goes out to you and all those who are suffering with this terrible illness PTSD. I bought your book to gain a better understanding about PTSD and what it can be like for the sufferer. My son is 21 and is about to embark on his second tour of duty (Afghanistan)... I want to be able to pick up on any signs on his return should the need arise. I want to be there for my son, to be able to allow him to talk and fight any demons which may be lurking. I am willing to listen, to learn and to understand and if I can help in anyway I will do.

I want him to know that he is not alone and I would never turn my back on him if he were be diagnosed with PTSD later on in his life.

To all those who are dealing with this illness, I wish you all Godspeed and pray that you will one day be able to live a normal life, free from hidden demons. Don't let the darkness win, thanks to Andy and this site and the help which is available, you will conquer.

Love, hugs and Angel blessings

Mrs Michaela Turner (aka Kale) proud mother of a serving soldier xxx

 
Date:
06 Mar 2010
Time:
22:52

Comments

Hi, I am the wife of a vet who has just been diagnosed as having ptsd and I have found it of great help going through your website. It has helped me understand it more. I have also read the poems which were so emotional and brought me to tears, I just cant imagine what these guys go through.

Living with someone who has ptsd is hard but is a lot harder for them.

Society needs to do more for these guys.

 
Date:
08 Mar 2010
Time:
15:32

Comments

What a wonderful site! I am unfortunately a PTSD victim. My experience was whilst a serving Police Officer some twenty years ago. I had to go down the private sector route for treatment the NHS did not offer the treatments which were suitable for me at that time. I was not diagnosed in the early stages of my condition, and I still live with the condition today but have learnt how to manage my symptoms. I am presently seeking help for a relative he was a victim of combat stress in the first Gulf War and came across your website.

I just wish there had been this information available for me! I can't thank Andy enough for his patience and dedication to the website. I am sure more people will benefit from this site now and in the future.

Once again a bigg thank you your work is much appreciated.

Lynne

 
Date:
31 Mar 2010
Time:
22:14

Comments

Hi Andy just to say your book is brilliant!! You must be so proud....I found it very interesting and informative, I would love to read more....any thoughts about another book. Your website is the best one I can find re PTSD. It was a real life saver for me. THANK YOU so much Andy, thank you.

Please take care and best wishes to you and everybody that visits your site x

 
Date:
19 Apr 2010
Time:
14:35

Comments

Thank you for giving some of yourself to help another.

 
Date:
27 Apr 2010
Time:
15:54

Comments

Just Simply Thank you

 
Date:
27 May 2010
Time:
19:57

Comments

Hi Andy,

Is this site still active?  Had a flick through and noticed that the archive is only to 2009.

The insight is remarkable :)  PTSD has been a 'constant companion' for me for well over 30 years.  Didn't get diagnosed until 2003.

Being a civilian, we sort of got 'overlooked'.  Mine is an accumulation of numerous extreme 'events' spanning from early childhood to the present day...  I was wondering how many PTSD sufferers experience this relentless onslaught?

Kind regards,

Lynda 

Hi Linda

Yes the site is still active, I have not backed up any of the guestbook entries since July 2010, I will do so soon but nothing is lost, just that the live guestbook has 10 months of data in it ;-)

There are many people who have suffered like you have but there are not many websites that address these and provide information and support.  I hope that you find my website both informative and useful?  You can always email direct if you want to chat confidentually.

Andy

Revised: 27 May 2010 21:55:27 +0100.                                                                                                                       Top          

Definition

 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a natural emotional reaction to a deeply shocking and disturbing experience. It is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation.