Glenn had trouble coping with memories of combat. After he returned from Vietnam, he drank a lot and couldn't sleep. Once he retired, he started feeling worse. His daughter finally persuaded him to reach out to VA. With cognitive processing therapy and group therapy, Glenn found healthy ways to manage his symptoms and enjoy life.
View Video TranscriptGlenn:
Hi, my name's Glenn. I was in the U.S. Army in 1967 and 1968, Republic of Vietnam. I was an Avionics guy. I took care of communication and navigation equipment on helicopters and I flew Door Gunner part time.
I’d only been in country about a month and a half and I got sent to Ban Wang for Cobra School, because we were getting Cobra’s. A bunch of us decided to go into Saigon because we were going to be there overnight though we weren’t supposed to go into Saigon, but we decided well we wanted to go anyway. Well we went into an unauthorized bar and there was four of us and we walked in and there was four Saigon cowboys in there. One of the guys came at me with a busted beer bottle and came at me and I ended up killing him with a knife and we were scared shitless. That one bothered me my entire life and I never told anybody, anybody ever, until I got to the VA.
When I got home from Vietnam, I kind of went… I was kind of off the deep end. Drank too much, I had pretty much a spotty employment record for 15 years. We decided to move out of LA and we moved to Idaho, and had kind of a rough year, first year here because we didn’t know anybody. Then I went back to school, got my degree in electronics and the school hired me to teach. That was the start of my real stable employment. For the next 26 years I just taught.
I was so busy working that, you know, things stayed fairly stable. And then I got divorced and the drinking kicked back up again, and I was old enough to collect Social Security, so I said, “Well, I’ll just retire.” So, then Vietnam started kicking up even more. I’d never slept really great, but sleep started getting worse and my daughter had been trying to get me to go to the VA for about 12 years. She finally talked me into it, I came down here. They… got my ID card and they walked me over there and sent me through and started with physicals. I started seeing a counselor over there and she had me sign up for a class called trauma symptoms management, which is sort of an introductory class for about 12 weeks, and she said, “Well, there’s a followup to that called cognitive processing therapy” and so I took that.
The Vietnam group with… I meet weekly. That’s been a key part. I think the combination of being with a group of guys that have… even if they don’t have an understanding of your exact issue, but they understand the general conditions.
My depression is I’d say completely under control. It hasn’t reared its ugly head in a year and a half. I sleep better and now when I don’t sleep, I can usually figure out why. Anybody who is a Vet should try the VA. You never know until you try and it was a life-saver to me. I honestly think the VA saved my life so, I think it made a huge difference in both what I do, how much joy I get out of life now, and it’s getting better.
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To manage upsetting feelings after a nightmare, focus on what's real by touching and describing objects around you. If you're unable to sleep within 15 minutes, leave your bed briefly to wash your hands or drink water while avoiding any strenuous activity. Also, talk to your family, friends, or health care provider about what you're experiencing. They may be able to provide support and help you find solutions. Learn more steps you can take on our Nightmares page.
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There are many options for Veterans who want to cut down on or stop drinking alcohol or using drugs. One option is counseling, either one-on-one or in a group. Another involves medication to help reduce use. A third option is mutual-help groups. You can work with your doctor or counselor and try different types of treatment to find the one that's best for you. Learn more steps you can take on our Alcohol or Drug Misuse page.
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The first step in addressing your challenges is to acknowledge that gambling has become a problem in your life and recognize that it is possible to make a change. Practice relaxation exercises such as deep breathing to manage stress and urges to gamble. Spend time with supportive people who do not gamble, and talk with your family, friends, or health care provider about what you're experiencing. They may be able to provide support and help you find solutions that are right for you. Learn more steps you can take on our Gambling page.
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Reckless Behavior
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There are ways to prevent yourself from engaging in risky behavior. Plan to avoid situations that might lead to recklessness. For example, leave early or late to avoid rush-hour traffic, or arrange a ride home if you'll be drinking. Talking with your family members, close friends, or a health care provider may help you find support and resources to address your challenges. Learn more steps you can take on our Reckless Behavior page.
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