Is it common to experience PTSD from the military training alone?

Question

This guy hasn’t touched the battlefield but he went through airforce training and got hurt a lot when he fell from high places. Tbh, i suck at active listening so I don’t remember what all he said. I know he said he was discharged for disability within like his first 2 years or something. I feel bad for not remembering. But he’s like really jumpy from the slightest things like his phone ringing and he won't sleep for anything. he's up all night texting me while I’m trying to sleep but he briefly naps for a little while throughout the day. He says he has ptsd and had been doing physical therapy for his back/shoulder/hip after some repetitive falls. I can tell he wants me to be there for him but I already went through this with two who did see the battlefield— a navy seal who woke up screaming throughout the night from his nightmares and an army dude who i had to stop twice from committing sui because he said he felt guilty about some of his missions. But anyways, is it common to experience ptsd without touching the field?  #FeelFreeToList

ShadezMcgee · Accepted Answer

To put it from a guy who is currently still serving, yes, it is possible to get PTSD despite not being deployed to a combat environment. This is the more common one because seeing the more upfront and worst of humanity can desensitize one and traumatize them too.

Training accidents can be triggers for it too, especially if it is something that could have been fatal or they survived. Although basic training is also structured to be strict and high pressure and intense to break you down and build you up to keep you focused and resilient. Some can't hack that though. What training did he do in Air Force that resulted in him falling and being jumpy from something like that, though? Was he trying to be Para-tescue or special forces? That training is intense and could be why.

Disability can be claimed to a certain degree depending on the damages that were considered done by a professional. Some guys get full disability, some get lower percentages.

I would strongly recommend being a more active listener. Guys like this also tend to bottle it up because they don't want to burden others and be judged or don't think anyone cares.

Finchie40 · Accepted Answer

It sounds like he has PTSD , And yes PTSD is caused by trauma experiences in life , Most military veterans suffer from PTSD and other people that suffered a traumatizing experience can suffer from PTSD as well , I don’t think there is really a cure for it , just a lot of therapy could help I guess , My ex suffered from PTSD cuz she was molested as a child , Being in a relationship with someone that suffers PTSD is a hard relationship to be in , My experiences with my ex were completely insane , It leaves you with a constant question mark over your head on whether they love you or not , when they have an episode , My ex would attack me verbally and physically over the smallest thing, it’s like being in a relationship with Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde , My advice is to not get involved , it can impact you as well without you realizing it , it sucks cuz You do feel bad for them , but it can take a huge toll on your own self and pushing yourself to get therapy as well , That was a relationship I would never want to experience again , It’s not normal

exitseven · Answer

When I had basic training there was a guy in one of the other flights that hung himself during the night. I imagine the guys that found him got really freaked out. I could see how this could happen. Basic training is designed to be a high pressure situation. They give you more things to do than there is time for. There is a DI that will scream at you and we had an officer that used to lecture us on what we did wrong. Also you didn't want to let the other guys in your flight down. If you screwed up it made everyone look bad. They want to see what you do under pressure. Some people could get PTSD from something like that.

RavVid · Answer

I think it is quite plausible but I have no idea how common it might be. It is quite possible that a new trauma "wakes up" past traumas and it is not so much the most recent trauma but past "woken up" traumas that cause most trouble. Perhaps quite trivial things to an adult but weren't understandable as a child and caused distress.

The theory is - it can only be theory - that there is an area of our brains that remembers our emotional response to events and the recall is the emotional response we had at the time. This guy is scared to go to sleep.

This is like what we were talking about a day or two ago in friendzoning. I think you are saying you have been the support person before and aren't up for it this time. That would be wise.

Lynx122 · Answer

I didn't get PTSD from the training but I didn't have accidents. I feel like he might have already had a mental health disorder or so before he joined the military and that's why the training was overwhelming for him and he tried really hard to live up to the expectations but it put too much stress on him. That's my impression just from what you wrote.

DJB72 · Answer

I'm diagnosed with PTSD and I'm not military. For me the trauma was my brother dying in a road accident when we were children.

As an adult it's manifested in putting myself in life threatening situations, including having a gun pulled on me, and feeling nothing. My psychiatrist describes me as "complicated" because I'm affected but can't express things about fear. I don't fit the profile of a sociopath, although I fit the psychopath profile, and yet I test as ENFP on the Myer's Briggs scale - not where I "should" classically.

PTSD is a very complicated condition. Any traumatic event can cause it, not just military service.

Phoenix98 · Answer

I guess it's possible I've never really heard of any actual cases of it though. But I mean boot camp by it's definition is supposed to be traumatic I mean they are turning you into a blank slate so that you can be properly trained as a soldier.

If you can't deal with stressful situations then the military is something I would advise avoiding.

But given what you've said in your statement and in the comments it sounds like the guys injuries were on him either because he wasn't listening or it didn't click for him because they show you multiple times how to do everything, how to put everything on, etc they take safety on things like rappel towers really seriously.

papiC21 · Answer

No I wouldn't say that is very common. He's either a total puss, he's milking it, or both. He may be one of those people that just love the attention they get from it. Along with the discharged for disability thing and the complaining about getting hurt from falls I don't know this guy is weird lol

magiusX26 · Answer

bluntly put, yes. anything that can felt as traumatic can cause ptsd (post traumatic stress disorder) as its name states. it could be as simple as arguing patents, falling from a tree/window/roof/on ice, nearly drowning, car accident, victim of a crime (think rape or attempted murder) , a bad medical reaction to a med, being bullied/manipulatef/controled, catching a signifgant other cheating, or witnessing such things.

Christoff92 · Answer

I have a cousin in the US who was a US Military officer. But got injured through his eye socket. I think he now has a artificial eye replacement. But gets an army penison for life 😊

However for what I also know it can be. Never asked my cousin though.

Rosexøxø · Answer

Anyone can get ptsd but that’s a little sus for me anyways. Treat it like it’s real and decide if that’s something you want to be involved in or around. Best to you both. 💯

ohsheeT · Answer

Well I'm not really for sure about that I can tell you I was never in the military. And this happened to me. PTSD Pussy traumatized Steve's dick We are talking about the same thing right.. lol

Andres77 · Answer

He’s got something else going on. my ex was a drill sergeant for a few years. She found numerous recruit’s bodies after they committed suicide. thats like the only ptsd approved outside of combat.

MysticDevice · Answer

I'm pretty sure it is possible. I guess if that life isn't for you it can be pretty jarring. But he tried it. Which is more than what most people can say.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

I do believe training could cause him to develop PTSD this is sad, but I do hear that training is pretty rough on them.

Anpu23 · Answer

Any trauma can trigger PTSD, I wouldn't say it was common, but certainly possible.

Mark987 · Answer

I know friends that were in the Military... and 100% YES.. I feel so bad for them.. you can tell they have been EXTREMELY EFFECTED

Ad_Quid_Orator · Answer

Training (or hazing) in the Russian army would probably give you PTSD

Jamie05rhs · Answer

Dude... the mfer FELL from the SKY. You don't think that's traumatizing?

Abdulwahh · Answer

I believe so yes depending on the person the field training is very tough and hard.

SnowedIn · Answer

Just training alone? Possible but not common.

inhua · Answer

PTSD is necessary to create strong soldiers

Is it common to experience PTSD from the military training alone?

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