Why I'm one of the lucky few...

I count myself very lucky that my husband has admitted that he has a problem to handle.  It took a while for him to really take notice and admit that there was an issue, but he did, and it was in time to save our family.  This isn't always the case.  In fact it's probably only about half of the soldiers who admit that there's an issue.  When someone enlists, they are taught to be hard individuals, taught to deal with any problem alone.  PTSD is not one of those things that can be handled alone. 

There was a time in our relationship where I questioned whether or not to stay while he was pushing me further and further away.  I chose to fight for my family and in my case, it paid off.  I have seen many other families go the other way.  Far too often I hear stories of people blowing up their entire lives and laying blame on their spouses for their problems.  Their anger gets directed at an innocent person and sometimes it's too much to take.  It happened to me in my first marriage.  I could never do anything right and in the end, he chose to be with someone who didn't know who he was before he went overseas.  This way, he could move forward without admitting that he was the issue.  It happens all the time in military families all over the world.

The military used to be a great big family.  I've been told many times that there is no friendship like it.  These people are friends for life and can always be counted on in times of trouble.  It's what military families have always done, as there's an unspoken understanding unlike any other.  With the high rate of PTSD, this community has been affected and just isn't the same as it used to be.  These guys wreak havoc on their personal lives and stop talking to their friends.  What happens when someone with mental issues is completely isolated?  It shouldn't happen.  Friendships die off and soldiers find themselves very alone.  If you ask my opinion, that's why the suicide instances are becoming more frequent. 

My husband was able to find help before it was too late for our family.  He has admitted that if it weren't for the family, he would have found himself at rock bottom and could very well not be alive right now.  Not due to suicide but due to poor choices like drinking and driving.  So I count myself as one of the lucky few who can go through this and come out the other side of the red tape with a close family unit.  I wish that were the case for everyone!