While in the Air Force, Misty was raped by a fellow airman. She had nightmares and flashbacks and felt on edge and angry. Through a women’s group at a Vet Center, she found a supportive and comforting environment. Counseling and therapy provided her with new and healthy ways to manage her challenges and begin to heal.
View Video TranscriptMisty:
My name is Misty. I was in the United States Air Force. I was an aircraft guidance and control specialist. When I was in the service, another airmen that worked in the same building had raped me, so I had MST, which is Military Sexual Trauma. And I developed severe PTSD symptoms. And it had to do with nightmares, flashback. My biggest one was hyper-vigilance. I'd call myself a lockaholic. I lock everything about 7 times before I go to bed and make 3 or 4 rounds before I leave and just distorted thinking.
Avoidance was my other coping method. Not a healthy one. And pain and rage. I was angry at the perpetrator. I was angry at the military. I was angry at myself. There was a lot of anger and rage. It just filled me up and it made my body hurt and started breaking down. I was like, I’ve got to do something. And that’s one of the main points why I started addressing the specific issue.
How I ended up getting out of the military was they were trying to treat me for PTSD while I was in transition. They kept telling me, “Get into the VA system. Get into the VA system.” And I did, and they took care of a lot of my primary care needs. And then I would keep going to the VA and I’m seeing triggers everywhere and realizing that being in big buildings with lots of military guys was not, not really good for me right now. And that’s when they said, “You can go to a Vet center.”
So, then I started going to the Vet center and there’s more women there. And there’s women’s groups that help, and there’s different parts of the VA hospital that’s dedicated to women. They have groups, support groups for the specific PTSD MST that help women together. We’re stronger together.
The psychologist I go to about once every 3 months, and she helps me with my sleeping. And sometimes it takes medicine to do that, but you can train your body to the time it’s supposed to go to sleep and then hopefully you won’t have to take medicine all the time. But she helps me with that. And then I go to the Vet center once a week for personal counseling and then once a week for group counseling with women.
I’ve got 12 years, 10-12 years of counseling and therapy that I can pull from my toolbelt from the counselors I’ve had through the VA and the Vet centers and one that’s really helpful is gratitude journal where you write down everyday stuff you’re grateful for. Especially when you don’t feel like doing it. And then if you’re having problems worrying, schedule you 30 minutes in the day and call this is my worry session. I can write that down, but that’s got to wait until tomorrow. And you just watch yourself for negative thinking. So, I stopped the negative, the absolute words, and it’s changing my thinking and starting to use affirmations.
A lot of writing, journaling for the MST because once you write through it, that’s the biggest step is to write through it. And writing a letter to the perpetrator and giving him all of your anger is very helpful.
My one piece of advice would be don’t give up. Especially women. Don’t give up. PTSD and MST is something I’m diagnosed with and it’s hard to deal with. But I know each female out there that has it, they are a warrior. I know that they can battle it and they can beat it.
No matter what you may be experiencing, there is support for getting your life on a better track. Many, many Veterans have found the strength to reach out and make the connection.
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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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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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