One Of The Saddest Most Frightening Sounds I Have Ever Heard!!!
By Rozie37
@Rozie37 (15499)
Turkmenistan
December 31, 2008 2:13am CST
Most of my friend's on Mylot know that I live in a board and care for the mentally disabled. I have severe emotional problems due to the abuse and neglect that I suffered, after my mom passed away when I was ten. Anyway, there are quite a few veterans here. There are some who suffer from mind shattering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
There is one guy who lives right above me. I often hear him at night, while on my computer. In fact, I just heard him a little while ago. I never get use to his screams of agony. Every time I hear it, it causes me to pause for a moment. I wish that there was something that I could do to help him, but I know that there isn't. I consider him to be a nice guy. The first time that he spoke to me, I did not hide the fact that I was shocked that he knew my name, since I had never told him. We have been speaking ever since then.
Sometimes, when I am coming home and pass his window outside, I can hear him then. I wonder what passersby must think when they hear such a blood curdling sound. I know what I would think. Whatever is going on in that apartment, I don't want any part of it and I would rush on by. There is another lady here whom I consider a friend. We can often here her yelling at someone as if she is still at war. There have been times when she has been seen with a black eye or a bruise and there is no one in that room, but her.
I know that many of us have witnessed this kind of thing on a personal level. I dare to say that I suffer from a form of P.T.S.D. It can not even come close to what they are experiencing. I have never heard the story of one that suffers so intensely from this disorder and truth be told, I don't think that I could bare to. I don't know what it is like to have a dear loved one go through this. But my hat goes off to not only those that suffer, but the ones that stand by them and love them unconditionally. It seems like such a lonely place to be, no matter who is there with you. But I have to believe that having the support of a loved one, makes an incredible difference in the lives of these mentally wounded troops. I salute you and may God richly bless you all, Amen.
7 people like this
15 responses
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
31 Dec 08
Thats heartwrenching Rozie. We as a nation, as a people do need to acknowledge and help our veterens who are suffering. No one can go to war, see what they see, do what they have to do, and then come back normal. They are all affected somehow with what they have seen and done. Its so sad. I have a good friend that was a POW in Vietnam, he was tortured and suffers from PTSD. He doesn't say much about his time in the service. Its been a long time and mostly he has adjusted. Then you think about your own problems and get down about things, all you have to do is think about someone who has it much worse. It makes you think your problems are not all that big.
2 people like this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
31 Dec 08
So sorry about your step-dad and also so glad that things worked out for you with him. My friend toldme for the longest time after he came home, whenever he would hear a loud noise, he would dive for cover. It didn't matter where he was, he automatically did it. He still to this day is quick to temper, he isn't a mean person. He happens to be one of the nicest people to have for a friend. Thanks for sharing your story with me.
2 people like this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
1 Jan 09
It's all about being able to show compassion. I live with a lot of people who require understanding. People that others go out of their way to avoid. They tend to forget that these people are human beings, just like they are. And I am not saying that there are none that we should avoid. Some of them are not on their medication and need to be avoided at all cost. But there are those who do the best that they can to fit into society. These should not be mistreated, just because they are different. They need love just like everyone else.
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
31 Dec 08
[b]Your salutation at the end of your letter answers your own question, dear. Obviously you believe in God, so what you do for these folks is? Pray. I have seen the effects of prayer countless times. It doesn't always come in a way I thought it would, but [i]help always comes.
[/i]
God bless you.
Maggiepie[/b]
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
3 Jan 09
You are a treasure Rozie. Many people would not want to have anything to do with a person who is so vocal with their agony. We are all in the place where we are for purposes only known to a higher authority. Big huggers to you.
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
1 Jan 09
You have heard and seen some things that I have not being a nurse. I spend some time training in the psychiatric ward but not but a few hours three days a week for 6 months. It was not a bad place but I have not seen what you describe. I have learned about it. Most of the patients in the psychiatric facility where wards of the state because their families could not handle them anymore.
I have not heard the whales from pdsd from war and the sad part is we are going to have a whole lot more men and women going through that once again.
We do not even know what to do with the men and woman who had had brain damage from shock of the bombs that people have suffered and have not been diagnosed yet.
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
2 Jan 09
It is so hard to listen to the cries of torture and not feel pain for them. Reliving the trauma of war over and over again, has got to be hell. I do not believe that America does enough for this population, to say the least. Although, the Veterans Administration is a nice start, there needs to be a lot more help than that.
2 people like this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
2 Jan 09
I think you are right but I wonder if the veterans administration knows what to do with these people? I wonder if your friend is taking his meds? I know that is not the whole answer but it is a start. I also know that a lot of times the meds turns some people into zombies. I know you my friend and I know you have kept him in your prayers. I know he there will be a play in heaven for him when he passes.
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
1 Jan 09
Hi Rozie dear! I do believe that it is such a lonely and sad life for them. I feel sad for them and I do hope that somehow they will find some peace in their hearts. I can not say I know how they truly feel but I do hope and pray that may their hearts and minds be healed.
Take care always! Happy New Year!
lovelots..faith210
@sunil_008 (1269)
• India
1 Jan 09
if you ask me then i would say if you someone standing by your side all the time then you will have no traumatic stress syndromes develop. well all these stress levels get heavy on person when he feels all alone in this harsh world. so, if you have the mental support of someone then you will never feel alone so no fear can touch you. all stress levels can be cured with gentel love. whether by parents or friends or may be your wife or girl friend can help you out. by screaming at things only increase the level of stress and insecurity feelings of the person. i think the stressed person need more than that...
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
1 Jan 09
i am so sorry with what you have to go through... i never experience PTSD before... so i don't really know how it feels to suffer from that emotions... but i do know that it is not an easy situation to be in and i salute you for being able to be so strong... may God bless you too... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
31 Dec 08
Those people have been through things that I doubt, even if they told us, that we could even comprehend. It is a same that this is what they get for serving our country. We really need to be here for the troops when they come home, anytime, no matter what, and make sure they get any help that they need, for any reason. God bless them all.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
3 Jan 09
My husband was in Viet Nam, and has PTSD. He isn't as severe as the people you have mentioned, but it's there, and parts of it affects every little part of his life, and our lives together. Things have gotten better since we got married, though. I also have a form of PTSD resulting from something different. I was not in the violent situations that he was in because of war, nor was I physically or sexually abused, but it's there just the same, for it's own good reason.
There have been times when I've had to deal with certain life situations because my husband would go into combat mode When someone tried to break into our house, I sent him and his 16-year-old into another part of the house, and called the cops. I remember standing there in the middle of the living room with the phone in one hand, and my white cane (I'm almost blind) in the other, thinking if the idiot came in the house I'd have to deal with him myself!!! Better I do it than my combat-ready husband, or a 16-year-old who could develop PTSD from the shock, had he been alone in the situation. It's something I'd done before, when I saved a neighbour from being murdered in my own apartment building.
The cops got to our apt. before I had to take any action (I had to take action in the situation at my apt a few years befre...) and my husband and step-son came back out with me, so all turned out alright.
PTSD affects different people in different ways.
I do have a problem being in a car at night though, because of a situation that happened with my grandfather and I when he suffered a mini-stroke behind the wheel.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
31 Dec 08
yes it is a debilitating illness that severely hurts the quality of their lives, these men and women have done so much for us yet they are still haunted by the ghosts of war
1 person likes this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
2 Jan 09
It is very painful for me to know that they are hurting so bad. Although, they survived fighting for the country, I often ask myself if they are really getting the opportunity to enjoy the country they fought so hard to make better, I just don't know.
@tjades (3591)
• Jamaica
1 Jan 09
Hats off to you Rozie...It takes a special person to be able to care for persons mentally afected in one way or another.
I know one young man who is bipolar and he sometimes has such a hard time coping. He went from a very healthy and promising young man who was being promoted in his job to someone who can barely manage to work for any period of time. He has to ensure that he keeps his psychiatric appointments and take his meds properly.
Its not an easy life but thankfully he has a supportive family and church community.
All the best and a happy new year to you as you continue to assist those who cannot adequately care for themselves. 
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
2 Jan 09
My emotional problems help me so much to see people the way that they really are and have compassion. I am very familiar with mental pain and God has given me the honor of touching their lives and helping to make a difference. My passion is to help those who are not able to speak up for themselves.
@NonaSaile (924)
• Philippines
31 Dec 08
And may God richly bless you, too, Rozie. I don't have much to say, but I read through your post, and as I greet you a very happy new year, and as you accept my greetings, I hope you imagine that it is a face-to-face kind of greeting. God bless all who live in your apartment. I salute you all too.
1 person likes this
@sunny69316 (638)
• China
31 Dec 08
Sorry to hear your story,all the things would be better,and all best regards to you!
Happy new year!!
1 person likes this
@rashmi1979 (112)
• United States
31 Dec 08
Hi Rozie! You are a very kind and brave girl. I will pray for you..and hope that You have a Great life !! May you always be happy and may Lord grant peace and solace to all the others who ar ein pian too. Love has great healing powers. May all be showered with teh Divine Love & Blessings!
Wish You a Great New Year! Take Care & Be HappY! :)
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
31 Dec 08
Hi Rozie :)
It must be so hard to hear those emotions coming from the people around you. When my mom was first diagnosed with cancer - I can still remember one day when we were at the hospital and they needed to move my mom from one bed to another. She had bone cancer and had broken the bone in her leg between her hip and knee - right in the middle and they had put a metal rod in her leg to hold her leg together. Anyhow, my father and I were asked to step out of the room while they moved her and I can still hear her screams of pain from that day (which was 20 years ago) in my head. It's so heartbreaking for me that I can't even bear to think about what she went through.
I salute our past, present and future soldiers as well. I know not what they go through but I know it must take a very brave person to sign up and do that job.
