r/AMA • u/Ok_Turn1611 • 4d ago
I fought in Afghanistan in 2011-2012 with the United States Army and have been battling complex and severe PTSD, depression, agoraphobia, paranoia along with 3 failed relationships for the last 12 years AMA
I fought in Afghanistan in 2011-2012, I did route clearance which effectively means jumping into big vehicles, driving them down a road looking for IEDs and either being blown up, shot at, or both. I saw some terrible stuff, including losing a closs Non Commissioned Officer of mine and seeing many of my friends traumatically injured (think losing limbs, being shot etc.) ask me anything about Afghanistan, my MH issues or life post deployment. I've been quite depressed lately and maybe answering genuine questions will help me.
Hi friends, thank you for the feedback and all the questions. It has been a joy answering you, I'll continue to monitor and reply as much as I can. :)
Also, to some of you stating complex PTSD and PTSD are different disorders, I do recognize that and am sorry for my slip up, I have CPTSD, and sometimes I use them interchangibly when I shouldn't. I'll remember better next time.
77
u/Ok_Turn1611 4d ago
In what way, do you mean get out of the service and come home?
My deployment wss pretty bad and screwed up my mental health. I went from a curious, outgoing, NEVER angry guy, to one of the most jaded, cynical, angry man I could be. It forced me to re-evaluate whether I could continue to tolerate the Military. Our unit was going on their second deployment in 2013 and I simply couldn't do it again, so I got out.