It's difficult for me to come to terms with the fact that I may have issues with anxiety or PTSD. I have not been diagnosed with PTSD, but am beginning to wonder if I should consider it.
I've been working in Iraq and Afghanistan as a contractor for some time. My job takes me all over the region on a regular basis. I feel that I have handled it relatively well until the last few months.
Over the last few months, I have begun to feel increasing anxiety. I have been overly concerned about health issues. Loud noises (bangs, whistling, shouting) cause physical pain and destroy my calm for hours, if not days, at a time. I have a hard time sleeping - often resulting in 1-2 hours of sleep or no sleep for days at a time. The times that I have been home, I find that I could easily sleep for 12+ hours at a time if I don't have nightmares. The last time I was home, I had nightmares almost every night during the beginning of my visit. I woke up in cold sweats often. The list goes on...
I feel as though I have no one to talk to about these concerns. I let my friends, family, and fiance believe that because I am non-military personnel that I am protected while over seas. That way, the only time I have to calm them is when they see something on the news.
I originally took this job because the job market is crippled and my family needs the money. I will have to continue working overseas until I can find work back in the states or am unable to continue doing so.
Do you have any advice on how to help deal with the things that I've seen and experienced?
Does this sound like PTSD or do you have any thoughts on what it might be?
Thanks