29 Dec Marine Veteran Describes PTSD: Battle After Iraq

On Wednesday, November 16, 2016, in the third hour of his radio show, Jesse interviewed Marine Corps veteran Bryan Carpenter, author of “Never-Ending Battle After Iraq: A Marine’s Road to Recovery” (BattleAfterIraq.com).

In the interview, Bryan described being injured by IED’s (roadside bombs). He talked about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), coping strategies, his demons, his “good conscience” and “bad conscience,” isolation, anger, aggression, dealing with civilians as a veteran, and thinking everyone is against him, including his parents who do not seem to respect him, but treat him like a little kid. When he feels disrespected or a violation of integrity, he goes into drill instructor mode.

Bryan turns 31 in January and would like to have a wife and kids, but he can’t keep a normal relationship or get close to anyone. His younger brother is the only one he feels he has in the world who really understands him, though he feels hopeless, helpless and lonely, like he’ll die alone.

Jesse offered him counseling with no charge, out of appreciation for his sacrifice for the country. Jesse told him about his recorded silent prayer instructions (findable via BOND Church page). He practices and coaches mixed martial arts (MMA), does security and other things. He used to be happy-go-lucky, passive early in life, then assertive as he went into the Marines, but now he’s totally changed and easily angered.

Bryan is a Christian. He saw God when he went into a coma after the second bomb hit him. He asked God why he was not being accepted into heaven. He feels his purpose is to help others, including coaching for free at his MMA gym.

BOND Men’s Forum

Jesse has talked with a number of people suffering from PTSD recently, including at our November Men’s Forum. We have had a number of new guys coming from San Diego, Las Vegas and elsewhere. One of these guys was also a veteran dealing with PTSD and anger. He too practices MMA. He’s in a very similar situation to Bryan’s — he used to be funny and light-hearted, but now he’s angry.

A doctor with PTSD

On Tuesday, December 13, 2016, in the first hour on his radio show, Jesse talked to a family physician who helps veterans and their loved ones dealing with PTSD. Watch the YouTube video linked: You Can Be Healed from PTSD: “A Tour of Duty” by Michael R. Butner, MD, Military Family Physician. It turned out he too is affected by PTSD.