FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM AUGUST 3, 2017 • HEALTH • THE QUEENS COURIER 27
health
One man’s struggle with PTSD, 40 years later
Bobby Barrera’s career as a Marine
For nearly four decades, Bobby counseled
working and coping with chronic pain
ended abruptly at age 21. While in
veterans with mental health challenges
triggered long-suppressed symptoms of
Vietnam, on his fi rst mission, a land mine
caused by war and volunteered
PTSD. Soon, the nightmares began. Th en
explosion took his right hand at the wrist
with DAV (Disabled American Veterans),
came mood swings, increased anxiety,
and left arm at the shoulder, and left him
a veterans service organization that helps
and feelings of isolation and hopelessness
with severe burns over 40 percent of his
veterans of all generations get the benefi
- and eventually, thoughts of suicide.
body and face.
ts and services they’ve earned. He went
Bobby’s wife pushed him to seek help -
Coping with the physical challenges of
on to become the national commander of
which led to a PTSD diagnosis. He questioned
his injuries and struggling to fi nd a new
DAV in 2009. What Bobby didn’t realize -
how he could have overlooked his
purpose for life was almost easy compared
or want to admit - was that for more than
own signs of PTSD for so many decades,
to dealing with the psychological impact
40 years, he was suff ering from post-traumatic
while helping countless other veterans
of war trauma: something that would
stress disorder (PTSD).
who struggled with it.
remain with Bobby for the next 40 years.
It wasn’t until Bobby and his wife
PTSD symptoms are caused by experiencing
Bobby went on to marry and have a
moved to San Antonio, Texas, to retire
traumatic events and not by an
family. His children had children, and he
that his PTSD symptoms became overwhelming.
inherent individual weakness. Roughly 15
created a fulfi lling and meaningful life for
Aft er moving, Bobby felt
percent of Vietnam veterans are impacted
himself. He returned to college to earn a
immediately lost. Being new in town,
by PTSD, and an estimated 20 percent
master’s degree in guidance and counseling.
losing his network of friends, no longer
of recent war veterans have symptoms of
PTSD or depression. It can lead to a higher
risk for unemployment, homelessness
or suicide.
Bobby is learning how to cope with his
diagnosis. He is meeting more people,
getting involved at church and spending
time with his family. He began to volunteer
again. His recovery is ongoing. Bobby
credits his wife for encouraging him to
ask for help and believes that doing so
gave him yet another chance at life.
If you are struggling with symptoms
of PTSD, you are not alone. Resources
are available at www.DAV.org/veterans/
resources. If your situation is critical,
please call the Veterans Crisis Line at
1-800-273-8255.
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