PTSD?

[Michelle_K]

This was in an army barracks in ft. Bragg, NC. Shortly after my medical leave, when I returned to my unit, I was moved to an upper floor. One night while relaxing on my bunk, there was an explosion, on the lower floor.
A lot of this will be hearsay as I didn't see it first hand. One stupid kid Had gone out to the firing range and had an anti-tank rocket that had not exploded. Stupidity number two, he was tapping it on the floor point down to knock the dirt off of it. The force of the explosion put a 2-3 inch hole all the way through the floor to the room below. He was the only one injured,and died of shock, blood loss.
An investigation was launched, and we were out in the parking lot while the investigators, and maybe bomb squad, checked his locker. It was filled with unexploded munitions. It was determined he had a car there, and it need to be checked. we were moved away from where the car was. More from the firing range.
The investigators then had us enter the building, and locker inspections were done. A couple of us went down to the floor in the morning and saw the hole in the floor. Every window was also wide open.
The commanding officer lost his job for failure to do locker inspections and discovering the munitions. I was shortly after transferred to Germany.
I think it was years later that I still heard the explosion as I tried to get to sleep.
Michelle

[SoupSarah]

Diagnosing PTSD involves a thorough assessment by a mental health professional. This typically includes discussing your symptoms, medical history, and any traumatic experiences. The clinician will evaluate if your symptoms align with the diagnostic criteria outlined in various well researched resources. They may use standardized assessment tools to gauge the severity of your symptoms and consider other possible explanations. Collateral information from family or others may also be gathered. Once diagnosed, treatment options can be discussed, often involving therapy, medication, or a combination of both. If you suspect you have PTSD, seeking help from a qualified professional is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.

[Robbyv213]

I was diagnosed with PTSD after multiple sessions with a VA mental health specialist when I was applying for my disability when I initially got out of the Marines.

[Lilis]

Yikes, what you described seems to be a very disturbing and traumatic event. I'm not a medical professional,so I don't qualify to confirm a diagnosis of PTSD, but what you described does mention some experiences that can be symptoms of PTSD.

Just curious, have you told some medical professionals about this event, and what did they say?

[Michelle_K]

Just another thought on trauma. Due to the fact that I went to a trade school, when my draft number was picked, I was skipped over until I got my diploma. This was in 1970, and I tried to get conscientious objector status. I was told that my church was not against fighting. I felt that I didn't have much choice and ended up enlisting, also called volunteer draft. In basic training, I had picked Germany as a place of deployment, only ending up there after that explosion.
Trying to figure out how to put this. Sexually abused as a child, and now I should shower with a bunch of naked men. Another way to put it, exposing my feminine body to a bunch of guys. Perhaps both are correct. Most times it would be late night showers alone.
Michelle