PTSD Before Deployment?

[SarSardonic]

My husband developed PTSD (and asthma- but that's another post...) after his 15 month deployment to Iraq.
At first it was really bad-- flashbacks, nightmares, outbursts, couldn't drive, anger, depression, panic attacks, etc.
After a while (almost a year) it got better; he was almost back to "normal" with only the occasional issues.
Now another deployment is coming up and his issues have returned full force and actually seem worse than after his deployment.

Is it normal for PTSD symptoms to increase before a deployment?


I'm really worried about him.

Right now he's facing an Article 15 for disrespecting an NCO and I think it is because of his PTSD.....
His car went off the road when he hit a patch of black ice and he got stuck in the snow on his way into work one morning. He was right outside of post and called his section chief for help because his section chief has a big truck. His section chief said it wasn't his problem and basically told my husband that he was on his own and that he better not be late for formation in half an hour. After about 10 minutes someone (some other NCO from some other Battery) finally stopped and helped him (and asked why he just didn't call his section chief who had a truck....).
When my husband finally made it into work (on time) he complained about how he can't believe that no one in his section is willing to help each other and what's going to happen when someone needs help down range....
His section chief complained, and now my husband needs to write a ten-thousand word essay on not disrespecting an NCO....

Sorry, I'm venting a bit....



So, does PTSD tend to get worse before another deployment?
How is PTSD during deployment?
How much worse will PTSD be after another deployment?
Can PTSD be 'cured'?

Thoughts on PTSD in general??





(Why isn't the military forum more active?)

 

[Gishin]

Before a deployment you are spun up again for active combat, so I can see where PTSD can flare up in such an environment.

As for the rest, I really can't answer. We're told if we have symptoms of PTSD to contact mental health or a chaplain, and that's pretty much it.

The section chief sounds like a dirtbag NCO, but I've seen plenty of them so I'm not surprised. If it was an Article 15 and not a letter of reprimand I don't think he can write a rebuttal. He can challenge the Article 15 and plead his case in Court Martial, but that is almost always a bad idea unless he can prove he did nothing wrong at all, and while he had good reason to be mad, the military only sees that he was being disrespectful, regardless of circumstances. If I were him, I'd include a special section emphasizing the Army Core Values, NCO Creed, the importance of camaraderie and having a battle buddy to count on, which his section chief will have to read.

 

[Jerry Horse]

In regards to the Article 15, there may or may not be more that led to that. If it is just based solely on that one event, then your husband needs to find that NCO who assisted him to speak on his behalf. He'll also need to develop a statement telling his side of the story, and also speak with Legal about the whole issue.

As for PTSD, yes it can come back anytime. I will pray for your husband, and hope he gets help for both his professional and personal issues.

 

[keith99]

Years ago I met an amazing boy at the dog park. Nothing you could see unless you looked very closely. If one was exceptionally attentive one could see he was a bit careful with the dogs.

He got on fine with may pair of bruisers (a Belgian Sheepdog and Presa Canario, both about 105 lbs).

So what was amazing? This kid had previously been badly mauled by some dogs, hours of surgeries. The amazing thing was that he could even step foot inside a dog park. After what he had been through it would have terrified me.

I hope this helps make it clear that yes a deployment coming up, back to a place and situation very similar to what caused PTSD in hte frist place can surely cause flareups.

 

[MaryannL]

Does he want to go on deployment? My husband had PTSD when he came back last year and it's not as bad as your's, but I have two extremes: either they want to go back as soon as they can, or they are going to try to everything they can to get out of it just short of being kicked out.
I have a lot more to say about this but I need to get going. Maybe I Will post later on.
Good luck and I hope all goes well with you and your husband.

 

[briareos]

My husband developed PTSD (and asthma- but that's another post...) after his 15 month deployment to Iraq.
At first it was really bad-- flashbacks, nightmares, outbursts, couldn't drive, anger, depression, panic attacks, etc.
After a while (almost a year) it got better; he was almost back to "normal" with only the occasional issues.
Now another deployment is coming up and his issues have returned full force and actually seem worse than after his deployment.

Is it normal for PTSD symptoms to increase before a deployment?


I'm really worried about him.

Right now he's facing an Article 15 for disrespecting an NCO and I think it is because of his PTSD.....
His car went off the road when he hit a patch of black ice and he got stuck in the snow on his way into work one morning. He was right outside of post and called his section chief for help because his section chief has a big truck. His section chief said it wasn't his problem and basically told my husband that he was on his own and that he better not be late for formation in half an hour. After about 10 minutes someone (some other NCO from some other Battery) finally stopped and helped him (and asked why he just didn't call his section chief who had a truck....).
When my husband finally made it into work (on time) he complained about how he can't believe that no one in his section is willing to help each other and what's going to happen when someone needs help down range....
His section chief complained, and now my husband needs to write a ten-thousand word essay on not disrespecting an NCO....

Sorry, I'm venting a bit....



So, does PTSD tend to get worse before another deployment?
How is PTSD during deployment?
How much worse will PTSD be after another deployment?
Can PTSD be 'cured'?

Thoughts on PTSD in general??





(Why isn't the military forum more active?)

I know this is an old thread but I am sorry to hear what happened. The sad thing is that the military has TONS of crappy leaders and IMO the military does a crappy job of teaching leadership. If your husband is a combat soldier his NCO could be some 22 year old kid who had hardly any work to do in order to make a leadership position and who is not obligated to learn ethical leadership at all and simply doesn't care. If you even mention the idea of leadership the way it's taught in the civilian world you'll get flamed and called all kinds of names.
The military does have literature and programs on leadership but I still say the military teaches leadership the way it teaches running... it doesn't, it just beats you and beats you and beats you untill you either run fast enough or you can't run anymore. The good thing is NCO's can't article 15 nobody and there's a chance his commander was smarter than that piece of crap NCO. The fact that little sayings like "MPH" exists in the military is evidence of the idea that ethical leadership is highly disregarded or nonexistence period.

 

[Gabe7]

I know a guy who was a Sergeant and threatened his Captain with a K-Bar. Stabbed it right into the desk. They kicked that Sergeant out fast.