Air Force Veteran Dave Hanson had built a life with his wife and two daughters, but he was carrying a not-so-hidden secret: undiagnosed PTSD. The invisible wounds of his service in Vietnam—where his duties included going out in night ambush teams—had not healed. Although he lived in a peaceful, rural setting, with the woods just beyond his back door, Hanson was uneasy.
Growing up, he had enjoyed hunting, but now he couldn’t even walk in the woods because it put him on high alert. The skills he had built in his youth that later served him well during wartime—scanning for movement, being alert to the slightest sound—meant he couldn’t be at ease in nature or at home.
His wife Lindy and daughter Cori were constantly aware of how Hanson never felt safe—he had a 9 mm gun under his mattress, a baseball bat by the front door, and would always check and recheck the locks.
“Vietnam was controlling me,” Hanson said.
Starting the road to recovery
When he finally sought treatment at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, he was scared, desperate and skeptical. His therapist seemed so young, and Hanson wondered if she could really understand what he was going through as an older Veteran.
Quickly won over by her skill and dedication, Hanson threw himself wholeheartedly into a treatment known as prolonged exposure therapy. He faced the memories he had been avoiding for so long, and did it again and again until they weren’t as terrifying. It was tough, but over time it worked. Slowly, he felt Vietnam’s grip easing.
Now, thanks to the care he received at VA, the support of his family and his own determination, Hanson has finally been able to leave PTSD behind. He is proof that it is never too late to seek PTSD treatment.
“It’s been wonderful,” he said. “My treatment has been an absolute return of my life.”
Watch’s Dave’s story at AboutFace, where Veterans talk about how PTSD treatment has turned their lives around. Learn more about PTSD and how treatment can help at the National Center for PTSD website and find a mental health provider at your local VA Medical Center.
If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, dial 988 then press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.
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This guy is a liar. A phony, a wannabee. Ask any actual combat Veteran of Vietnam and they will agree. This guy should be charged with a Federal Crime for violating the Stolen Valor Act. He is a disgrace to all real combat vets.
Cybele Merrick,
It is totally disgusting you would be so gullible as to believe the lies of this Hanson guy. Don’t you verify things like this to be factual. He is a wannabee combat veteran. Guys went into the Air Force to avoid close contact combat guys like myself were trained for and did. Hanson is the typical phony, even has his wife fooled into believing his BS lies. Apparently the VA also. Army, Navy SEALS, Marines, are the guys who did what this phony has claimed and conned you into printing. Telling lies and financially benefiting from those lies is a Federal Crime under the Stolen Valor Act. I suggest this “story of yours” be corrected to tell the truth. Phony DD214s are easily available today on the internet. I served in Army infantry in Vietnam in the late 60s. I don’t need to pull my own chain with invented stories but it is my responsibility to call out blatant lies by wannabees and irresponsible reporters, gullible ignorant reporters. This article is a slap in the face to all of us who really did go out on night ambushes. !!!
Hanson is full of crap, a liar and a fraud. Air Force guys did NOT do what he claims he did. He is just another wannabee violating the Stolen Valor Act. As are many of the commentors posting here. Doc, 173rd Airborne, Vietnam, 68/69. You phonies with the wild stories make me sick.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is not something that there is a magic pill that you can take and it goes away. It is treatable, but events, sounds, and smells can trigger an event even during and after treatment. At least that’s what I have experienced. Counselling does help to reduce the most severe of these incidents, but they never really go away for good. In other words, I do not see that there is a cure for PTSD, only the increased self-awareness of what is happening and the understanding of why it is happening. for me, I still cannot be in crowded areas, or even heavy traffic on the interstate, which triggers anxiety and the fight or flight response. I keep to myself most time and I spend holidays (that use fireworks) in my basement so I don’t hear the noise. It can be difficult to live with, but I thank God for the VA and PTSD Counselling. At least I have better awareness, and I can cope with it. At least I am now functional for the most part.
After Vietnam I was ‘undomesticated’. I left a good engineering job because I was in a cubicle without windows to see outside. I found jobs that kept me outdoors or in an office with big windows. Later in construction I went through periods of depression, like when we had a long rainy spell (like in the jungle). When I retired at the end of 2019 my depression got worse; I’d wake up around 2 am & think of Vietnam the rest of the night, finally giving up on sleep & getting up ~5 or 6 am. A Vietnam veteran friend told me I had PTSD so I went to the Salem VA and got help. I didn’t want drug therapy. They tried different counseling methods and the third one really helped…writing about one traumatic time every week for 6 weeks. The VA Counselors are really great. I cans sleep now.
Bob Flint
The VA needs to stop using the word “disorder” and instead use “injury.”
Tragically, when most people hear Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, they subconsciously think of a mental or sexual disorder.
And disorders are difficult, if not impossible, to heal or solve.
However, an injury can be healed.
Imagine the massive change that could happen to millions of veterans if the VA would just diagnose them with Post Traumatic Stress Injury.
I also suffered with anger, stress and violent episodes that would just spring up for unknown reasons. I finally got help through the VA and their PTSD clinic. I attended anger management classes, stress management classes and then I continued with the life management sessions for a few years. Through these sessions I was able to get a handle on exactly what my issues were and how to keep them in check and avoid all the unnecessary violent outbursts that were destroying my chances for a good life. Today I still have many issues but I know how to control them and keep them in check. My life is back on track and I am much more at ease and confortable with my surroundings. I know my limitations and what to avoid and when I feel that I might have a relapse I know exactly how to avoid that and stay in the moment. All this is due to what I learned through the VA PTSD departments programs that are designed to help veterans just like me. Believe me when I tell you, if you really want help and are willing to follow the instructions and lessons they teach, go, get help and start living the life you were meant to live. I did and I am greatful to the VA for all they have done for me. Thank you.
Never too late. I too used to say that. My darling hubby, a VietNam vet, 100 percent disabled service connected, just died at age 77. He never recovered from his physical injuries nor PTSD, nor 6 other mental health diagnoses. Oh he tried. He went to bazillions of doctors, phycologists, psychiatrists, you name it – he tried it. He is now at peace (I hope and pray). I also am hopeful that more Combat Veterans will be able to have the same relief as Dave Hanson!
Being my time in Vietnam Dave story is great to know I’m not alone. I also have PTSD (not happy about the letter D)., I feel it makes me feel I’m not right in the head) with people. One thing I noticed a lot of people come up to me now and thank me for my service, as we all know it wasn’t that way in 68-69 my time in Vietnam. I knew something was wrong with me once I got home for good. Stories like Dave helps me get through another day! Thanks Dave for your positive feed back and “Welcome home”!
We as Veterans have access to some of the best Therapist & Drs in the country & Thank God Brother Dave got the help he needed (have to drop your guard) which is definitely hard to do
I never, ever heard of anybody in the Air force going out on night ambushes! This man is a liar!!
Stolon Valor!!!!~!
I truly suffer with everything every day and it’s terrible, I truly still get nightmares and I’m lucky to get a couple hours of sleep. Nothing makes me happy like i used to be???
This recount of Dave Hanson’s life & wartime experiences is very up lifting to me. I am now approaching 60 years post Vietnam. I was an 11 Bravo. I spent 90 % of my time in country, in direct action, in rice paddies, swamps, jungles, and teak forests. I still have PTSD. I am hopeful that more Combat Veterans will be able to have the same relief as Dave Hanson! Welcome Home Dave!
Therapy at Boise VA helped me with my PTSD