Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a journey

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a journey

    Courtesy Photo | Murphy family December 2018 Lenexa, Kansas. (Photo courtesy Tish Murphy)... read more read more

    ARLINGTON, VA, UNITED STATES

    01.22.2019

    Courtesy Story

    Army Recovery Care Program

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a journey
    By MaryTherese Griffin, Warrior Care and Transition

    ARLINGTON, Va. –Tish Murphy describes herself as “clueless and not compassionate” at the beginning of her family’s journey in dealing with her husband’s post-traumatic stress disorder. Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alex Murphy was in a mortar attack in Iraq in 2004 where he landed on his head and suffered a severe concussion, hearing loss and a traumatic brain injury. The PTSD, however, was not as easy to diagnose and the Murphy’s had years of ups and downs before they figured it out.

    “We never talked about the war. We were just happy daddy was home and safe,” Tish said. She continued to raise their five children practically as a single parent because after Iraq, her husband was hardly around. Alex would always go to the garage or the neighbors’, anywhere but home. On those occasions when he was home, he had mood swings, angry out bursts, and according to Tish, the littlest things would set him off.

    “I just thought my husband was crazy and mean. Then I learned what PTSD was. I prayed about it then told Alex, ‘you are not the best you. I want YOU back,” Tish recalled. “The best description I had [of PTSD] was that my husband was a cracked egg just trying to hold all the yolk inside.” It was a lightbulb moment for the Murphy’s whose challenges and hardships were piling up, with job losses, moving and financial struggles. They began therapy and Alex got on medication and they slowly began to tackle it.

    “We wondered where we get help. What do we do? So we went to the [Veterans Affairs Hospital] in Kansas City,” Tish explained. “That day at the VA we met [Army Wounded Warrior Program Advocate] Melonie Gillian. This AW2 advocate, who we had no idea existed, showed us people do care.” Alex Murphy also began to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel. “My process of healing started when I saw people cared. It gave me hope.” Gillian helped the Murphy’s find financial help through grants and outreach that carried them for about eight months.

    At the VA, the Murphy’s also learned about books to explain PTSD to kids which Alex read to his children. “I told my kids I loved them and none of [the PTSD effects were] because of them and the noises in the house that affect me is not because of them, it’s because of the war,” Alex said.

    Alex now works at the Veterans of Foreign Wars helping other Veterans file claims. He is thankful the AW2 program and Gillian were there to help him and his family through their tough times.

    Alex Murphy knows what a difference a year makes and has entered 2019 continuing with his positive attitude. “We are a lot better this year than we were last year, but not as good as we are going to be next year!”

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.22.2019
    Date Posted: 01.22.2019 09:22
    Story ID: 307767
    Location: ARLINGTON, VA, US

    Web Views: 241
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN