[Tech1]

I'm an Army veteran that was diagnosed with PTSD in 2010 after a particularly shit deployment to Afghanistan. I've also battled with depression my entire life. Name an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety pill and I've probably been on it at one point in my life. They definitely help you. Conversely a good therapist is also extremely helpful. They can help you find directions that are away from the meds. I've currently been off meds for about 1.5 years and it's been great, but it takes a lot of focus and quite literally years of therapy to get there.

TLDR: stay on the meds; do what the therapist says to do, no matter how dumb or inconsequential it may seem; exercise.

[hiphopyo]

Have you tried MDMA-assisted therapy?

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/03/health/ecstasy-ptsd-3/

Incase it was never available to you, it should be soon. DEA approves study using MDMA for anxiety in seriously ill patients (Mar 17, 2015):

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/3/17/clinical-tri...

[Tech1]

I appreciate the info, but I currently hold (and use) a security clearance. All these MDMA / cannabis / LSD-25 assisted therapies are doing great things for veterans, but when it comes time to fill out that SF-86 in a few years, it would bone me.

Still, I appreciate the info.

[tptacek]

Thank you for this comment (and your service).

[lotsofthrows]

thank you for sharing your experience. it sounds like you've struggled more than I have, and I admire your persistence in making it through.

[Tech1]

You will too dude/dudette. Keep your head up.