For over 36 years I have been suffering from what I now know to be PTSD. Whilst serving in Kenya in 1984 I was involved in a serious Road Traffic Collision which as a young 19 year old soldier I found myself injured lying in a ditch on the road side giving first aid to other soldiers who had suffered horrific injuries as a result of the accident. This has had serious implications to my life and wellbeing. I was under the belief wrongly that you could only seek help for anxiety and depression (PTSD) if you had been involved in an explosion or incident involving active service.
On speaking to a former soldier he told me about the help that he had received from Beyond The Battlefield and suggested that I should make contact with them. I was initially apprehensive as I was concerned that I wouldn’t fall within their criteria. From the initial phone call with Annemarie she put me totally at ease over the phone explaining what the procedure would be and made my first appointment. My journey to recovery had begun.
Robert and I had served together in the Army and so we had that initial bond I was now talking to someone who understood military life which helped break down so many barriers from the start which you don’t get from speaking to someone who hasn’t got those life experiences. As I explained my symptoms Robert new exactly what I was talking about as he had suffered and continues to suffer from the same traumatic stress that I suffer from. On hearing Roberts journey I knew I was speaking to someone that could relate to me as he has battled with the same experiences as me.
I am only at the start of my recovery. I have lived with PTSD for over 36 years because I didn’t know I was eligible for help or where to find it .I would urge anyone who needs help to please make contact with Beyond The Battlefield the team there are passionate at what they do please make that call.
Anonymous
