By Larry Nader, US Navy Veteran
PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder did not start with the Vietnam war, and has been known by different names over the centuries of war. While PTSD has only been officially recognized since 1980 it’s origins can be traced back to the civil war at least.
During the Civil War it was referred to as “Soldiers-Heart”. During World War I it was called “combat fatigue”. During World War II it was called “gross stress reaction”. It has also gone by the names “Battle Fatigue” and “Shell Shock”. So many names for the same condition.
PTSD is form of anxiety disorder that can occur in persons, military or non, following their witnessing or being exposed to a traumatic event, something they perceive as horrible or frightening. For the purpose of this article we will be discussing military related PTSD and how to navigate the VA system.
While PTSD is usually an ongoing condition, it is not always. Much of its longevity is dependent on how soon the disorder is diagnosed and properly treated, as well as the support system around those affected. Those with no support system around them, or a support system of loved ones who do not understand the condition, have a higher risk of increased severity or they just plan decide not to be treated. It’s very hard for those with PTSD to see how their behavior is out of control or how it is affecting their loved ones and others around them.
Many times, we, as military personnel or veterans, do not seek out the help that is needed because we feel that we were warriors and should be strong enough to handling these demons on our own terms. We never went into battle alone, why start now? Battling PTSD is never won by doing it alone.
While PTSD is associated with anxiety issues, it also can bring about depression as well as alcohol or other substance abuse. Treating PTSD through self-medicating is a recipe for disaster every time. The disease will continue to grow using this method, and, in many situations, the person affected turns more and more inward and withdraws from reality and those around them.
For those who seek out treatment through Veteran Affairs, many times are denied a proper diagnosis because their military records do not show any record of the triggering event. The lack of proper treatment and the collapse, or non-existence, of a good support system many times will lead the veteran to becoming a statistical number in the veteran suicide column.
While the VA does have a lot of issues surrounding improper care for our veterans, we as the veteran community need to reach out to those we know are suffering and let them know that we care, love them and that they are not alone in this fight.
Personally, I have found my share of deadwood in the VA system here in Phoenix (which is an unfair comparison to deadwood as deadwood still has a purpose), but I have also found some very good, caring doctors and staff that try to go the extra mile only to have the system tie their hands. The thing with the VA is that you must be persistent, demanding and fight for your right to a diagnosis and proper medical treatment. Do not be afraid to get your US Representative involved if you are getting stonewalled by the system.
When I started my journey towards diagnosis and treatment through the VA decades after my triggering incident, I was told by the Phoenix VA that they could not schedule an appointment for me as I did not exist in their system. I explained that I had the VA approval paperwork that instructed me to call their office. I was then told, “Sorry but if you are not in our system, you do not exist.”
That came at a very bad time for me as my business was crumbling because I was unable to focus on it as I needed to and had done in the past plus my spouse was at her wits end trying to deal with my mood swings and misplaced anger.
After being told they would not help me I went into an even deeper depression with extreme anxiety issues accompanying it. It was then that one of my brothers said that I needed to contact my US Representative and have them investigate the situation.
Being one who was always used to doing for myself and helping others, I did not immediately act on this suggestion but instead waited a couple more weeks before I realized that I had to do something uncomfortable if I wanted to maintain my marriage and family life.
Finally, I reached out to my Rep through their web page providing them a full detail of my situation, or lack thereof, with the VA. I was called the next day by Congressman Trent Franks Veteran Liaison who told me to scan and email him my paperwork and they would get back to me. I fully expected that I was being blown off, but I followed through on my end anyway.
Congressman Franks office opened a congressional inquiry with the VA regarding my status. Within one week I received a call from a person at the VA Regional Clinic in Surprise, AZ asking me when I can come in to see him to get set up in their system. He immediately booked an appointment for me with a primary care doctor in that clinic while I was on the phone with him. The appointment was for three days following our phone call. I was amazed at how fast the wheels can turn when your locals’ leaders in DC get involved.
After meeting with my primary care nurse practitioner who ran several tests and recorded my medical history as well as my service-related complaints into the computer, she also provided me with a referral to a Psychiatrist. This was nearly three years ago and the main lesson I have learned with the VA is, much like anywhere I life, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
My Psychiatrist worked with me on a prescription treatment plan where I wasn’t going to be so heavily sedated that I could not properly enjoy life. This took a couple of years to get the med levels correct and for me to adjust my life so that I was able to get enough sleep nightly, a factor which is key to treating this disease.
The biggest issues I have had are with the nurses and the people in charge of answering the phones. In three years of calling the VA, I have never had a phone called answered. They all go straight to voicemail. But do not let that detour you, leave that message and follow up in a day if you have not heard back from them and BE PERSISTENT.
After a couple of appointments, I found that my Psychiatrist had me on auto pilot. No calls to check up on my status ever few months as he told home his nurse would do and, whenever I would call to try to schedule a follow-up appointment, my calls were never returned.
Finally, I was complaining to my primary care NP during one of my six-month follow up visits and was told that I need to walk into the schedulers office personally and tell them I need an appointment. I did this and had an appointment for a couple of days later. At that point I have started booking my follow up visits with the doctor and the scheduler before leaving from my appointment.
There is no easy way to navigate the lunacy of the VA system, but the key is to never give up my brothers and sisters. You served your country proudly and you deserve to have your health issues and concerns treated with respect and dignity. You never gave up on the battlefield, why start now. Navigating the VA system is about putting your effort into forcing them to do their jobs. We all learned about teamwork in bootcamp and those lessons served us well throughout our careers.
The biggest lesson I can offer you in dealing with the VA is to never stop fighting for your medical and mental health needs. Do not take no for an answer. Get your Congressional Representatives involved if needed and do not be afraid to throw out the Vet card.
At an average of 22 veterans a day committing suicide in this country, we must be our own support system. The government is not going to do it. Once we retire or leave the service, we are nothing but burdens and liabilities to them in their eyes. You are not a burden or liability to society or your family. You did not do this to yourself. You donned the uniform proudly and did your job protecting our nation every day of your service. Now its time to protect yourself and your loved ones.
In closing, I ask anyone who is reading this that may feel that they cannot continue, please reach out to a fellow vet, your clergy person and yes even the VA for help. If things are severe and you are contemplating taking your life, please call the Veteran Crisis line immediately at (800) 273-8255 and then press 1. Do not ever believe that your family or the world is better without you in it. That is not true and is the PTSD talking, not you. Fight for your life. Fight for your loved ones.
Do not allow anyone to tell you they cannot help you. You and your loved ones are too precious, and you all deserve the best you that you can be. They key is they need you in their life no matter what the disease is telling you.
During our military service we worked as a team, do try to do this on your own. Team effort wins every time. Stay strong brothers and sisters, and NEVER give up the fight.
The Ranting Vet 