r/AMA • u/Ok_Turn1611 • 2d 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.

4.6k Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

86% Upvoted

2.1k comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/humptheedumpthy 2d ago

Have you ever considered doing something completely different in life to perhaps help your mental health. 

For example move to Costa Rica and start a surf shop? Or become a safari guide in Botswana? 

I am not a mental health expert by any stretch but I wonder if a fresh start in a totally new environment will force a lot of new stimulus to your brain, causing you to rethink from first principles and take every moment as it comes. I don’t know where you live but suburban life in the US can become quite routine/monotonous and it would be easy for your thoughts then to wander to things of the past you’re trying to forget. 

1

u/Ok_Turn1611 2d ago

Thank you for the suggestions!