Stressed with hubby back!!!!!!!

[edelweiss23]

My husband came home from Afghanistan a month ago. While most of it has been great, there have been a few red flags since he came home.
The first 2 weeks he said I was driving way to fast and he couldn't spot the IED's.
We had a fireworks show near the house over the weekend and he totally flipped out. Hands shaking, knee bobbing up and down, pacing while looking out the windows.
I am at a total loss as to what to do for him or how to help him.
I am pretty sure he has some form of PTSD, but he won't admit he has a problem.
Any advice to get a tough former marine(now army) guy to get some much needed help.
It is causing a lot more stress for me.

[edelweiss23]

Bump

[soon2bmommyof2]

My husband said to tell him he has to get help so he can continue to help his country.. and his battle buddies are depending on him! ... he says it should work, if nothing else is! Goodluck hunny I hope he gets the help he needs!

[UCFknight]

My husband had these same issues on his last deployment in the marine corps (he is navy now). Honestly give him some time to adjust. My husband took about six months before he wasn't waking up in the night looking for his rifle, or becoming terrified when we would drive over pot holes. It took him three years after his last deployment in the marine corps to sit down and talk with the "wizard" (psychologist). Your husband may just need some time. I didn't try to push mine, even though I knew he had some things he needed to clear up. He lost so many friend's while in the corps, and was wounded and received the purple heart himself. They will ask for help when Tthey are ready to. All you can do is just be there for him now. Good luck.

[chrlstoncharmed]

I'm sorry, hun. Did he go through a ptsd screening during the post deployment process?

[edelweiss23]

Yes he did. I am not sure how long it takes for it to show up.
I feel totally helpless and useless.

Quoting chrlstoncharmed:

I'm sorry, hun. Did he go through a ptsd screening during the post deployment process?

[beerebelly]

 My husband said just give him some time. He has only been home a month and he might be able to work out these issues on his own and be just fine. Good luck.

[edelweiss23]

I should also mention that this was his third, one year long deployment in the last 4 years.

Quoting beerebelly:

 My husband said just give him some time. He has only been home a month and he might be able to work out these issues on his own and be just fine. Good luck.

[fisterswife]

This:
PTSD is usually normal the first few months they come back. He is still getting use to being home.

Quoting beerebelly:

 My husband said just give him some time. He has only been home a month and he might be able to work out these issues on his own and be just fine. Good luck.

[jsr87]

I read that if the symptoms persist after one month after a traumatic event then it's PTSD but I don't know how the military would define it because the events in these cases have been daily for weeks/months at a time. He should get a doctor's appointment and tell them about his anxiety, in any case. They might be able to recommend some breathing exercises or something of that nature.

[PurplePeach72]

I've been doing a lot of reading about the emotions involved in dealing with deployment both to help me understand what we are going through now and to prepare for the changes when he comes home.  I strongly urge you to search Emotional Cycle of Deployment and read up on this cycle.  It's very similar to the cycles of grief.  It was a huge comfort to me to know that these intense emotions are normal and will pass.  What your husband is experiencing is perfectly normal and will probably pass with time if he doesn't have to deploy again soon.  The more he has been deployed the longer it may take to improve.  There are different forms of PTSD and not all are permanent problems.  Knowing some of the triggers can help you avoid them and if you can't then reassure him that he's home and things aren't the same.