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6,259 Posts
I was working the other day and talked to one of my customers for awhile. He served in a few garden spots and we found we had some things in common. He started talking and the floodgates came loose. He talked for almost 2 hours just unloading. The things he has seen and had to do in combat. We talked about things his wife of 29 years doesn't even know about.
He talked and actually sat and teared up but kept talking. All I could do was listen. He talked about waking up at night in a cold sweat, the seeing it over and over again in his mind EVERY day. That sometimes he will be working or watching TV and everything will zone out and he is back in certain situations. That very few people understand what it was like and telling most people (even his wife) is useless because you have to have been there. I just listened and let him talk it out. I told him my points of view when asked but otherwise just let him unload.
He came in this morning to to tell me he had his first good night sleep in almost 20 years last night. Yes I know what PTSD is. Yes, I know he could see a psychiatrist and get "help". I also know what combat does to you....so if you ever get the chance to sit and LISTEN to someone like this....do it. He put himself in the line of fire for us...the least we can do is listen and try to understand.
He talked and actually sat and teared up but kept talking. All I could do was listen. He talked about waking up at night in a cold sweat, the seeing it over and over again in his mind EVERY day. That sometimes he will be working or watching TV and everything will zone out and he is back in certain situations. That very few people understand what it was like and telling most people (even his wife) is useless because you have to have been there. I just listened and let him talk it out. I told him my points of view when asked but otherwise just let him unload.
He came in this morning to to tell me he had his first good night sleep in almost 20 years last night. Yes I know what PTSD is. Yes, I know he could see a psychiatrist and get "help". I also know what combat does to you....so if you ever get the chance to sit and LISTEN to someone like this....do it. He put himself in the line of fire for us...the least we can do is listen and try to understand.