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You have selected:Anger and Irritability Personal Stories and Blogs

Protecting My Mental Health During Uncertain Times

Times certainly feel more than a bit uncertain these days. But living with a brain injury changes things in ways I never envisioned.

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The Emotional Rollercoaster of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Medication

Two prescription pill bottles ride a downward slope of a rollercoaster

I enjoy watching my husband cry. That sounds so much worse than what I really mean. He’s been on various medications for his PTSD some of which cause emotional blunting — not being able to laugh or cry when appropriate.

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Helping to Heal from PTSD by Reframing My Story and Removing the Mask of Masculinity

Young soldier holding a mask of a strong face while crying and holding his weapon

When you’re a man in society — not to mention a Navy SEAL in special operations — you are taught that the best (only) option is to be the strong, silent type. You can’t let your emotions control you. You can’t be sad, or too happy. Really, the only acceptable emotions for the masculine persona are stoicism and anger.

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New Year! New Me? Ha! Not with PTSD

Russ Ware (left) and Grandpa Russ Ware (right) in an antique car museum

In the past, Russ and I would celebrate across oceans and time zones, sometimes a half hour off. Yes, really. Afghanistan is nine-and-a-half hours ahead of the east coast, 10-and-a-half from Texas. It was wild trying to sync up schedules but I would never turn down a 3AM-my-time video chat. I am grateful we don’t have to contend with that any longer. But Russ being home hasn’t made the transition from 2021 to 2022 any easier.

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The Cruel to be Kind Paradox

Cruel to be Kind: A recruit carries another recruit during the Confidence Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 17. Marine Corps Pfc. Cristian Torres

Service Members and Veterans can demonstrate their genuine concern for others by being aggressive or mean, either to help improve others or to protect others from the veteran’s own pain.

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