Find the PTSD treatment that’s right for you

There are many avenues for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I understand the frustration many veterans have due to the first-line treatment of antidepressants and antipsychotics that are pushed but are NOT ALWAYS THE ANSWER. My Care Team at the VA are also my advocates. I cannot speak for other clinics, but I’ve got a Team who really cares and listens to me. Caretakers need to learn to open their ears and really listen to their patients; mine do, and I am so grateful. The only drug that has ever worked for my symptoms is a mood stabilizer; all the others just don’t work on me or make me a complete zombie. Before the VA offered it, I paid out of pocket for TMS, which honestly saved my life. Please, if you’re struggling, request TMS. If your VA is backlogged more than 30 days, you must request a TMS Doctor’s office through Community Care. (No matter what you’ve been told, this is not ECT, Electric Shock Therapy). The VA will provide TMS, of which there are actually several different types. They also offer Ketamine Therapy (Spravato) and Ganglion Nerve Block for PTSD (great in combination with TMS as one works on the brain, the other resets the nervous system). They offer talk therapy. I love my therapist; never has he belittled me but rather has taught me skills to stop my outbursts or panic attacks before they spiral out of hand. It’s nice to be taught skills that help empower you and give you back some control in your life. I’ve done group therapy, which builds bonds and makes you realize you’re not the only one affected and struggling with these feelings.
Please don’t give up on the VA they’ve come a long way from there old days of only pushing pills. Take it from a combat veteran who’s been in that deep dark hole of despair and hopelessness. If you are not able to advocate for yourself or feel like you are being ignored every VA has assigned patient advocates for free and they will get the ball rolling and your voice heard.
Also, from a combat veteran whose father committed suicide when I was only 20: suicide is NEVER the ANSWER. If you’re headed that way, immediately go to the nearest emergency room and tell them you get your healthcare through the VA. The thought of suicide is a plea for help, but not the answer. It will pass, and you affect so many more people than you will ever realize. Be strong, brothers and sisters. You survived combat and/or some of the hardest training in the world, and you made it. I BELIEVE IN YOU AND I CARE, NEVER GIVE UP NEVER. GOD BLESS YOU.

I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. I GET TO EMOTIONAL.

sadly … this is a fake claim/article by the VA … the ONLY therapy the VA uses for PTSD, or any other mental issues a vet might have … is drugs, drugs, and even more drugs ……….. occasionally a VA clinic or hospital might allow an outside group to come in to offfer things like “music therapy” … after all, the VA does like to keep pretending that their “official policy” is more than just drugs, drugs, and more drugs

They didn’t qualify me for PTSD though the Dr said I had associative personality disorder from my time in service.
I qualified for spine ankle and feet issues. I live in pain all day for over a decade now. I can sign up for Tri care next November, I am E-6 retired, 8 years active duty and 12 years reserves as a medic.
I dearly want to know how to deal with my anxiety and how to feel pain less. I spend all day laying on the floor and I do not contribute to chores, or much else, in my marriage, or life. I watch utube and prepper shows all day. My hubby has a job at camp Humphrys. Where might I go to get on line support to make my pain affect me less and my anxiety not run me? Two different issues.