Colins Story Armistice 2019
Colin's Story
Colin joined the Army when he was 18 and served in Germany, Canada and the Gulf War. When he started struggling with his mental health, he left the Army, but the trauma stayed with him.
“I knew something wasn’t right, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Back then in the military you couldn’t admit to having a problem. I thought that if I could get myself out, it might rectify the problem. But it made things worse. In the Army everything was done for me, so I could get on with doing my job. When I left, my life started to fall to pieces.
“I was suffering with my mental health while struggling with no longer being a serviceman. Within six months of leaving I was getting divorced.
“I was having problems sleeping and getting more and more irritable. I didn’t know where to go, who to speak to or what to do. I ended up homeless for 18 months.
“Between 1995 and 2010 I bounced between relationships and jobs. Bouts of aggression caused problems at work, and I kept having time off because I wasn’t feeling well in myself. I’d completely lost it.”
Eventually Colin was referred to Combat Stress, where he was diagnosed with delayed-onset PTSD, depression and anxiety.
“It was like somebody had suddenly lifted a weight off my shoulders. Up until then I’d been in denial that there was anything wrong with me but once the health professionals told me ‘This is what you’re suffering with’, I decided to wake up and admit that I did have a problem.”
Colin went on to complete our PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme, which gave him the tools to manage his mental health.
“The staff explained why I have PTSD and how being in the military altered my mind. I thought I should be dealing with it myself, but now I know it’s okay to ask for help.
“I’ve learnt how to put the battlefield and all that trauma behind me and manage my own mental health.
“Before I went to Combat Stress, the PTSD, anxiety and depression really had their claws into my mind and body.
“The specialist treatment helped open my eyes to what was wrong with my mental health. I now know what my triggers are, how to avoid them and how to alter my perception of how I’m feeling. It’s been life-changing.”