The War At Home One Family's Fight Against PTSD By Shawn Gourley (4)

http://www.facebook.com/MilitarywithPTSD?v=app_4949752878

Today, more people are aware of PTSD than ever before. However, many people do not truly grasp how complex, frustrating, and even terrifying the disorder truly is. One person who is attempting to get the word out is a woman who has seen the effects of PTSD on the man that she loves.

Shawn Gourley first noticed something was wrong back in 2004. Things just did not seem normal, from the nightmares her husband had to the rage he now exhibited. His outbursts were unpredictable and scary, and the man she knew and loved seemed to have disappeared. Things escalated to the point where both had to finally admit that outside help was needed. After being turned away twice by the Veteran's Administration, they are just now finally in the process of receiving the help they needed. However, their struggle is far from over and Shawn, instead of breaking down or walking away, has been inspired to reach out to others by sharing her own personal story.

Upon learning in 2009 that much of her husband's behavior was considered "normal", and that the VA knew about this and had done the bare minimum to help these men and women, Shawn knew that she had to get the word out to others in a similar position. She and her husband had lived with this disorder for so long without knowing what it was, she wanted to make sure that others would not have to go through the same living hell.

Shawn took her anger and frustration at this situation and decided to write a book, "The War at Home: One Family's Fight Against PTSD", sharing her personal story with the world in hopes of helping other families and couples. The events shown in the accompanying video are all true and are based on excerpts from the book. To help promote the book, Shawn also created a Facebook page, Military with PTSD. This page has rapidly grown to become a place of support for veterans, spouses, family members and friends whose lives have all been touched by PTSD.

While Shawn's story is captivating, it is not the only one, Countless spouses and family members deal with similar issues on a day-to-day basis. PTSD is no joke, it can tear marriages and families apart. However, it is going to take more and more people willing to follow in Shawn Gourley's footsteps and put their personal stories out there for true awareness and understanding to exist. Because of her dedication, perseverance, and compassion, Shawn Gourley is truly a Breakthrough Woman and a source of hope and inspiration for those in similar positions.

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• PTSD
• awareness
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• The
• War
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• Home:
• One
• Family's
• Fight
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• Shawn
• Gourley
• Veteran
• Iraq

[MissJNell]

this happened to me. is there anywhere I could get help!? the VA turned my fiance away.. once denied the doesn't want help. we aren't together..i want my fiance back to his normal self.

[ShawnJGourley]

@MissJNell Vet Centers have been a life saver for us. It is different then the VA. A lot of the counselors there are veterans themselves.

[ShawnJGourley]

I am sorry they told him that and you are right what in the hell is that supposed to mean! Are they doing any therapy or anything?

[JOHNNYSschool]

But no one really helps us and the army throw us away and treats us like trash and calls us liers and the docters in the MEB say PTSD isn't real..

[MsNavydoc22]

you do not have to see action to have PTSD if you do not know the undying issues, u cant really speak on the issue. and unless u are or were a ps u would not have access to his record only what is posted online by people. metals are also not given out as easily as it may seem. their is no ptsd award or metal. if this book helps people why ruin it

[VMALisenby]

Brought me to tears because this is my life and I just want my husband back

[pkarmybrat]

Very well done video! Makes me want to read the book, of course! My dad was in Vietnam and coming home was hell. People would spit on the soldiers as they came off the planes on American soil for the first time in months or years! He later went back in as an Army Chaplain, because he wanted to help soldiers deal with active duty and off duty issues like PTSD, marriage counseling, and lots of other issues. Also, look up "Samaritan Center" free services for military and dependents.

[jolyncornelsen]

Brings tears to the eyes... being stuck in PTSD is a tragedy. Most people experience some kind of life trauma, but I think that of war is among the worst. Good news is, once you understand the basic biology behind it... it's possible to clear up some of the effects of that trauma.

[kelliekell1]

Thank you, Shawn, for shining a light on this disorder. It is insidious in the times we are in right now. I am sorry for the nightmare you have had to endure and I am sure you and your husband are now experts in this field. My son died in Iraq by IED in March 2007 but I know that many of his friends came home with PTSD.....a few that I still am in contact with have the disorder but are unwilling to admit. God Bless you and your family!

[ScabiesnStuff]

cherrypie5195 - you're an idiot. You don't understand the first thing about this couple or this book they are trying to promote. Before you let your fingers mindlessly fly across the keyboard, why don't you do some research? This book is designed to help families who are facing having someone they love who comes home from military service with PTSD.

You'll sound a heck of a lot more intelligent when you think before you talk. By the way,, you're a real prick, you know that?

[cherrypie5195]

Your video is one of the most selfish I ever seen.