Table 1 Topics discussed by veterans, providers, and family members
Clips of veterans | Clips of clinicians | Clips of family members |
|---|---|---|
WHO I AM A.J., US Army (1978–1998), Germany/Korea/US | WHO I AM Dr. Peter Tuerk, Clinical Psychologist, Director of PCT Clinic, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC | WHO I AM O.J., daughter of A.J. |
HOW I KNEW I HAD PTSD I was waking up, sweating, [and I] couldn’t go back to sleep… | WHAT PTSD IS A very, very lonely experience… People have thoughts and nightmares they experience alone. They want to isolate… | LIVING WITH SOMEONE WITH PTSD I didn’t experience a childhood… I would give up going to a friend’s house in case Dad needed me. |
HOW PTSD AFFECTS THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE My daughter would ask, ‘Mommy, why is Daddy crying?’ | HOW TO KNOW YOU’RE READY FOR HELP Have the worst time sleeping, they isolate the most, have no relationships, extremely on edge all the time… | THE SIGNS THAT I SAW He wouldn’t converse with me as much, he was a little distant, his temper… |
WHY I DIDN’T ASK FOR HELP RIGHT AWAY I didn’t think she [my therapist] could relate to what I had been exposed to… | WHAT TREATMENT IS LIKE People are asked to sort of get used to the things that are bothering them the most… | HOW PTSD AFFECTS A FAMILY When I got older, he would start isolating himself… I would talk 'at him' without him saying anything. |
WHEN I KNEW I NEEDED HELP I heard about Gulf War Vets not being able to sleep, etc. I thought 'Wow, that’s some of the symptoms I have.' | WHAT TREATMENT CAN DO FOR YOU Set goals and target treatment to those goals. If Veteran wants to get rid of nightmares, use exposure… | THE HARDEST PART PTSD made him shelter me a lot…I couldn’t go to the movies on the weekend or house parties |
WHAT TREATMENT WAS LIKE FOR ME My homework was to go into the Walmart or crowded mall for 30–45 mins… | QUESTIONS WE’VE BEEN ASKED Does my family have to be involved? | HOW TREATMENT CHANGED THINGS We don’t argue as much. He’s a different person, and I like it. He’s happier and taking care of himself. |
HOW TREATMENT HELPS ME I still have PTSD, but I’m in control of it now… I’m at peace with it, and I can talk about it [the trauma]. |  |  |
MY ADVICE TO YOU They [the therapists] are waiting for Veterans like you and I. Try it. You won’t regret it. | MY ADVICE TO YOU You really want a treatment that involves some type of exposure… | MY ADVICE TO YOU Support them [the family member] and let them know you’re there for them. Most importantly - listen. |