A reply to JustMe:
I recently saw on tv a documentary involving a woman in Canada who had been violently raped and who, as a result, was going through PTSD. She was terrified to leave her house.
The researchers were experimenting with a beta-blocking medication which is what doctors often prescribe to patients with high blood pressure. A quick read about beta blockers will give you a better idea than I can give you about what they do to the sympathetic nervous system/"fight or flight" response.
Over time (I think the documentary followed her treatment for about 6 months) she was able to cope with her fear with the medication and, most importantly, through a writing exercize given to her on each visit with her therapist. She was instructed to write about her ordeal, adding as many specific details as she could recall.
After this, she was hooked up to a monitor and asked to read the text she had written so that they could record her stress levels. After about six months she felt less and less trapped by her PTSD and was generally a happier person.
I think you are wise to try to pray. There's not a better listener than the Lord. He loves you. If the only thing you do is wake up in the morning and say, "Hello, Lord, I love you." then that's a good place to start even if that's all you say.
Military personnel have a LOT of responsibility. I'm certain that's an understatement by a million miles! First, they often come home to a military environment where it's harder to take themselves out of the military mindset. Then, if they have a family for whom they are providing - financial, parenting, being a marriage partner, son or daughter to aging parents, getting back to their old jobs or finding that their old jobs and/or lives have disappeared - it's a lot with which to cope!
People simply have a hard time CHANGING. I'd rather someone tell me to 'F#% O*!' than "CHANGE!" any day. If change must happen then change must happen. It's just easier to do it voluntarily than to go kicking and screaming against it.
Practice changing a little bit everyday. Find things that you can keep and practice 'keep'ing those things or actions. Practice things you must change. Practice toward a goal that you have in mind. Practice feeling as though you have arrived at your goal a little bit every day. Practice good dreaming. Practice positive touching with a friend or possibly get yourself a sweet little puppy that you can raise to help take your mind off your very realistic problems.
I have a motto. It never killed anyone to be a little bit deluded about how great things are going in their lives. I envy those people.
I hope you find the answers you're looking for. My best to you and your friends.
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(married to a real sweet and brave guy with mental illnesses)
