Combat PTSD

Do any of you know about Combat PTSD from Viet Nam? Some say that it was so bad they left or lost their souls there. I often wonder if they could have been so dead inside that a demon could have entered them. They stay in survival mode a lot. Can any of you relate to someone like this?

Hi Sherry!

Welcome to CC and I hope you'll feel free to jump right in here.

I'm so sorry to say that I can't give any meaningful advice about the situation you are presenting -- many here in singles might be in younger age ranges and might not be able to relate, especially to the time of the Vietnam War.

Please don't be discouraged if you don't get many answers here in Singles (but I'm hoping you will.)

I know we've had several members on this site mention being veterans so I hope they will see your threads and answer.

May I suggest that perhaps you would also like to make a thread like this in the Family and Miscellaneous sections of the forum as well? Some of the people who would be more qualified to answer might be hanging out there. Many people with the life experience you're looking for might be married don't come to the Singles forum.

I do hope that people will share stories and insights with you -- I'd be interested in reading them as well.

God bless, and we're glad you're here.

Do any of you know about Combat PTSD from Viet Nam? Some say that it was so bad they left or lost their souls there. I often wonder if they could have been so dead inside that a demon could have entered them. They stay in survival mode a lot. Can any of you relate to someone like this?

Do any of you know about Combat PTSD from Viet Nam? Some say that it was so bad they left or lost their souls there. I often wonder if they could have been so dead inside that a demon could have entered them. They stay in survival mode a lot. Can any of you relate to someone like this?

Welcome to CC, Sherry,

I know little of PTSD, but I do know that any trauma can be an open door for demonic influence. Sustained, significant trauma, would be much more so.

Ty. My X would be fine n then his whole person would change n would be full of hate n anger. He was not the same person.

It's possible and plausible that he was influenced by a demonic entity. Obviously, that's not a diagnosis though!

BTW, a tip: avoid using the term "possessed" because it will cause arguments.

All I know is the old saying: "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger... and leaves you with a lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms."

I wouldn't say they left their souls there, but the human mind can be broken quite badly in such situations. And we aren't very good yet at healing that kind of wound.

I would hesitate to bring demonic possession into any conversation about PTSD though. People can be broken quite thoroughly without it.

It's possible and plausible that he was influenced by a demonic entity. Obviously, that's not a diagnosis though!

BTW, a tip: avoid using the term "possessed" because it will cause arguments.

Do any of you know about Combat PTSD from Viet Nam? Some say that it was so bad they left or lost their souls there. I often wonder if they could have been so dead inside that a demon could have entered them. They stay in survival mode a lot. Can any of you relate to someone like this?

It's not possible to leave your soul behind anywhere. For any reason. I believe such a statement is not meant to be literal, but rather a way to express the severity of what they were exposed to.

As far as any demonic influence, it doesn't take PTSD to be influenced by demons. Everyone already is.

The way trauma works is it gets stuck in a part of the brain and the brain cannot process it. When you sleep your mind processes your recent memories. This allows them to be understood as a past event.
With trauma that memory stays in place, rather than being processed. This prevents the brain from cataloging it and instead when it comes forward, rather than being a memory it places them back in the place where the trauma is. They are not just remembering it, but reliving it as if they were there again.
Imagine taking the biggest extremes of fear fear and violence and having to relive those moments again and again. Being randomly triggered without warning. Often disrupting sleep, leaving one tired often.
Now imagine the physical toll that takes on someone. Put all that together and imagine the mental and emotional toll that takes on someone.
Their souls aren't left behind. Their experiences are just that devastating. And few ever get treatment or help so it continues for years. That drains a person. Changes them.

I just couldn’t understand the shutting down n pushing me away N then the next morning being some what loving. It’s like he’d get scared to show he cared.

Good movie, but if you really want to know the reality of what your X went through watch the movie "Platoon" with Charlie Sheen.

My mother's brother got drafted just after his 18th birthday. At 19 he got wounded and was sent home. Thank God my grandmother did'nt get notice of this after he arrived home. I was a young child but I never heard him mention the war to anyone. 20 years later when I came home to visit. He and I went out for a drink to catch up and out of the blue he started talking about his experience. I was horrified about the stories he told. I could never imagine at the age of 18 how I could have possible endured such a thing!! . My grandfather fought in WWII and came back a hero. My uncle's came back and were taunted as " baby killer's" that makes me sick. In my mind, I have the greatest respect for my uncles and all the other men in my town that did'nt make it home. And always will. There are several Retired Vet men's groups around. Maybe you could encourage him to go there and be around his own people...