Question about PTSD.?

This is just for personal edification, and to get some input. I don't expect medical advise.

I'm posting on this page because there is a higher number of service men and women here and that's the opinion I am looking for.

Here we go. So I got back from Afghanistan about a year ago and after some "stuff" happened I was diagnosed with PTSD. I spent some time coming to terms with what happened over there, and then a lot of time repressing memories. Now I have been asked to give some input into training that's going on for some guys about to leave and I can't, for the life of me, remember ANY events that happened over there. I mean I can remember the odd thing here and there, but nothing important.

So I guess my question is, is this common? Have any of you, or anyone you know, had this same issue? Do you have any tips on how to bring back these memories?

Thanks. And if you want to be a smart *** just make sure it's really funny.
Additional Details
I have spoken to a profesional about this, at length (the PTSD issue that is) and I understand why it's happening. I was just hoping someone might have some tips to get the memories back. Sadistic I know, but if I can help the fellas come home alive then it's worth it.

SPC M

I don't like to talk about this in yahoo answers because many people here are not military at all and make smart *** comments..also their people who post fake stuff and ask dumb questions. Just remember you have loved ones and other soldier who can talk to you. Including me and I dont even know you. Drop a email If you need to talk.
You experience highs and lows. Theres different levels of ptds, I break them down as symptoms . Everyone gets some sort of PTSD when coming home from deployment. Many people change in ways they can't explain. The most common ones get pissed off very easily. The highest level is the ones live in a life on fear and paranoia from sounds and things that remind them of being out the wire.

Example of bad PTSD ( you can search it on youtube) Is a video where a wife put a some firecracker or sound mechanism by her husband while he sleeps on a couch and he freaks out badly.That's To that point you want to seek medical help asap.

Active Duty

There is a battle ahead.

footprint

I have suffered from PTSD from a different matter but with the same results. Blocked memories.

People say it's impossible to forget traumatic things and while that's true. You never forget that something bad happened it can become hard to bring up the memories when you need to.

I had to bring up the memories for a legal testimony and it was hard. You have to go back to the one or two things your remember and work them over. Keep reliving them. Get in a quiet place, close your eyes if you have to, and just relive the one or two moments you do remember over and over again.

Fight the urge to fill in the blanks with what you THINK happened but wait for the real memories and don't be surprised when they come rushing over you and feel like they are knocking the wind out of you. Even if it's just little flashes at a time and, trust me, if you are suffering from true PTSD from something that happened to you then memories will come back that you wished you could lose again.

It took me all night to relive a couple of hours and it was one of the most emotionally draining night of my life. I cried, I sobbed, I screamed. I wished I hadn't tried to remember. All of the emotions I had experienced during the original event came back and I felt scared and helpless and angry and hurt. I was shaking. I called my husband who was gone at the time and he stayed on the phone with me and tried to calm me down. He was so mad that I had to do this without him but it was necessary.

It was a HARD night and exhausting but I was glad I had to do it. It helped me deal with some things and accept what happened to me. It helped me remember some other things and reliving it again for the police was no so hard the second time.

I would suggest having someone to call and talk to after you do this because it's going to hurt.

Good luck

Slick

Your brain has a protective mechanism that suppresses difficult or painful memories. They are in there just hard to remember. It is very common for those who have experienced extremely stressful situations to forget.

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