PTSD And Trucking

DK (aka Deweykid...aka Chris),

I commend you on opening up in this forum. I too have been diagnosed with PTSD, not until the last couple of years I've always "suffered" from the diagnosis. I learned that I had to "find" those things (tools) to help me thru difficult moments. Such as in the beginning, attending VA PTSD support groups, finding power greater then myself, listening to music, go on drives, hikes, reading, etc. I found that there isn't one tool that works 100% of the time for me. Keep looking for those tools that will help you.

Scott

Honestly, I have to use a whole arsenal of tools to keep me from exploding. Everything from long deep breathes, thought training (flushing out the negative and replacing it with positive), walking away, going for a jog, and at times just screaming bloody freakin murder.

The hardest problem for me is just ignoring the rhetoric and stupidity that people more often then show choose to display. And the thing that ****es me off the most is someone telling me that I need to work on my anger issues and not be so ****ed off all the time. (which is hilarious, because a lot of the time I'm not). Or that PTSD is not a real "condition". They fail to recognize that PTSD is something that you just cant turn on or off like a light switch, or choose to not let it take over at times. And for me once I start, its damn near impossible for me to stop. I have to remove myself from the situation, do my techniques, and work it off.

I welcome anyone else who has PTSD on this sight to comment and offer other ways of coping with PTSD on the road. Ways that they have found helpful for them. And I promise that no one with judge you on this. Its strictly voluntary and only if you feel comfortable.

I HAVE PTSD AND ITS FOREVER A PART OF ME!!!!!

Dewey... looking back on my life ( I was a child of the 60's drug scene), I figured out why I didn't end up a druggy....I don't like something to control me !! And I have applied that to my whole life. Sometimes it worked (when I was self employed) and sometimes it didn't (when I worked for idiots). But as a whole, I find peace in knowing that NOTHING runs my day to day mental and emotional state. And I applied this same thing to PTSD when they diagnosed me. I refuse to let it, or the people who puch my buttons, control me. I will not use it for an excuse for blowing up, cussing, or any other out of control behavior. I know there are drugs that help...but they also fall into the category.. So having been this way for many many years, I have developed very heavy coping skills. And they have served me very well, while trucking. If someone wants to try and push a button, they get my controlled, polite answer...and my evil little grin. That evil little grin seems to scare alot of people, They don't know if I'm stupidly happy, or have a 9mm in my pocket, and my finger on the trigger. I really enjoy the look they get on their face. I see it as a form of self gratification...if they want to try and mess with my head...I'm darned sure gonna mess with theirs...

I too was retired from the Army due to combat injuries and PTSD (13 years). I have been doing this for two months with my company and the absolute BEST help (for me) is having my Blue Heeler mix with me. She knows me inside and out and always calms me. I am seriously thinking about making her a service dog (which I am allowed to have). I don't know how the industry looks at drivers with "service dogs" though.

Any Vet with PTSD that is a dog lover should have one. This is by far the best medicine that has worked for me. I am to the point where I now see and FEEL hope in my life! I know not everyone will understand but it's such a great feeling to feel almost "normal" again. It's been years since Ive been able to have these feelings.

I hope this input helps someone else like it's helped me.

Trav