Comments on: PTSD: The Child of a Combat Veteran http://www.veteranjournal.com/ptsd-the-child-of-a-combat-veteran/ Veteran Journal Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:53:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: G http://www.veteranjournal.com/ptsd-the-child-of-a-combat-veteran/comment-page-1/#comment-3276 G Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:14:38 +0000 http://www.veteranjournal.com/?p=103#comment-3276 Thank you for sharing this! I have felt my whole life like I was the only one dealing with this. The explosive anger, the silence, the "code of silcence" about it all. One thing I have learned is that I am determined to give my children a better childhood than the one I experienced. One filled with love, kindness, mutual respect and genuine joy. Thank you again for sharing. It's comforting to not feel so alone. Thank you for sharing this! I have felt my whole life like I was the only one dealing with this. The explosive anger, the silence, the “code of silcence” about it all. One thing I have learned is that I am determined to give my children a better childhood than the one I experienced. One filled with love, kindness, mutual respect and genuine joy.

Thank you again for sharing. It’s comforting to not feel so alone.

]]> By: Margaret http://www.veteranjournal.com/ptsd-the-child-of-a-combat-veteran/comment-page-1/#comment-3268 Margaret Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:47:52 +0000 http://www.veteranjournal.com/?p=103#comment-3268 My father died twenty years ago and I still find myself defined by growing up in his house. A veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam he retired from the army after 30+ years and proceeded to drink himself to death. Every summer as I approach the anniversary of his death,which was also a nightmare for his children, I reaffirm my desire to live in the present. I think one of the most difficult issues with growing up with these wounded warriors was the iron curtain that was wrapped around our childhood experiences. We were bound by a code of silence. I think a book, a gathering of stories and experinces both good and bad could provide some healing. Recently I visited with an old high school friend who was an officer's daughter and frequently visited in my home (my father was a first sargeant) and we told each other our true experiences, the ones no one talked about back then. ItI was not only cathartic but created a space for a real friendship, and laughter. My father died twenty years ago and I still find myself defined by growing up in his house. A veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam he retired from the army after 30+ years and proceeded to drink himself to death. Every summer as I approach the anniversary of his death,which was also a nightmare for his children, I reaffirm my desire to live in the present. I think one of the most difficult issues with growing up with these wounded warriors was the iron curtain that was wrapped around our childhood experiences. We were bound by a code of silence. I think a book, a gathering of stories and experinces both good and bad could provide some healing. Recently I visited with an old high school friend who was an officer’s daughter and frequently visited in my home (my father was a first sargeant) and we told each other our true experiences, the ones no one talked about back then. ItI was not only cathartic but created a space for a real friendship, and laughter.

]]> By: Carolanne http://www.veteranjournal.com/ptsd-the-child-of-a-combat-veteran/comment-page-1/#comment-2325 Carolanne Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:26:25 +0000 http://www.veteranjournal.com/?p=103#comment-2325 The postings really hit home for me. I'm 45 years old now and my father was a decorated DDay vet. He recently died in the VA hospital of complications from his substance abuse and dementia. My only consolation is that we were able to communicate (substance free) for the last five years of his life. We were able to forgive each other -- however this has driven a wedge between me and the rest of my family. It has also been extremely challenging to make the necessary changes in my life---especially at work, I feel like I'm falling behind despite all my acievements as a "high performer" in the past. I am currently involved with my doctors and counselors to improve my life, but I still feel isolated. I have not been able to sustain relationships. I was in the Pentagon on 9/11 and this has compounded my feelings. All of my life I have felt my father's anxiety, nightmares and anger. Despite this I always loved him. Is anyone aware of support groups available to adult children of combat vets? Thank you. The postings really hit home for me. I’m 45 years old now and my father was a decorated DDay vet.

He recently died in the VA hospital of complications from his substance abuse and dementia.

My only consolation is that we were able to communicate (substance free) for the last five years of his life. We were able to forgive each other — however this has driven a wedge between me and the rest of my family. It has also been extremely challenging to make the necessary changes in my life—especially at work, I feel like I’m falling behind despite all my acievements as a “high performer” in the past.

I am currently involved with my doctors and counselors to improve my life, but I still feel isolated. I have not been able to sustain relationships. I was in the Pentagon on 9/11 and this has compounded my feelings. All of my life I have felt my father’s anxiety, nightmares and anger. Despite this I always loved him.

Is anyone aware of support groups available to adult children of combat vets? Thank you.

]]> By: Douglas Rohde http://www.veteranjournal.com/ptsd-the-child-of-a-combat-veteran/comment-page-1/#comment-1210 Douglas Rohde Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:55:02 +0000 http://www.veteranjournal.com/?p=103#comment-1210 I work as a manager in a law firm that specializes in VA claims and most of our cases surround PTSD. I can't tell you how many times I have spoken with children of Veterans who suffer from PTSD. I hear a lot of these people discuss the difficulty of maintaining a consistent relationships with their fathers due to the illness. It's tough. I work as a manager in a law firm that specializes in VA claims and most of our cases surround PTSD. I can’t tell you how many times I have spoken with children of Veterans who suffer from PTSD. I hear a lot of these people discuss the difficulty of maintaining a consistent relationships with their fathers due to the illness. It’s tough.

]]> By: cledrarlysosy http://www.veteranjournal.com/ptsd-the-child-of-a-combat-veteran/comment-page-1/#comment-673 cledrarlysosy Sat, 22 May 2010 12:17:14 +0000 http://www.veteranjournal.com/?p=103#comment-673 Just want to say what a great blog you got here! I've been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work! Thumbs up, and keep it going! Cheers Christian Just want to say what a great blog you got here!
I’ve been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!

Thumbs up, and keep it going!

Cheers
Christian

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