Any Help is Appreciated!!

First: thank you to your husband for his service to our country. I am grateful for his dedication and commitment. And, thank you to YOU for your sacrifice in being apart while he was deployed. I admire the courage and strength in both of you!
Although I suffer from PTSD, it is not combat-related. However, what helps me when I have a flashback, is hearing my husband's voice reassuring me that I am okay. That he is here, and will take care of me and make sure that I don't get hurt again. What is hardest for him to understand, I think, is that when I do have a flashback, I am literally not in the present moment. Sights, sounds, feelings, my surroundings - everything that I know today, is gone during that time. It is incredibly frightening! A calm, soothing voice of reassurance will go a long way for your husband and his ability to cope. When he is having a good day, reassure him, again, that you're there for him and will help however you are able. That also applies to the depression.
Finding the right medication(s) is key to helping him get through his depression. Sometimes, it does take some trial and error to get there, but when you do, you'll see the difference. And, it will be amazing! He'll see it, too, and it will give him the strength to keep working towards his recovery.
Support. Support. Support! You both need it. Your husband needs it in order to get through this terribly difficult time. You need it just to keep your own sanity, and gather the strength you'll need. A good counselor for each of you is critical right now. Hopefully, the VA is helping your husband; they say the military has recognized the serious of the conditions from which our vets suffer, so I do hope that is true for you and your husband.
Patience. You will need a lot of patience. You will also need a strong network of people to help you get through this period of recovery. When you need a break, make sure someone can cover for you, and then take that break. Also, plan getaways for the two of you; someplace quiet and restful. Even if it's only for a day. If you have some national or state parks nearby, they may provide that quiet your husband might need.
I wish you both a full recovery, followed by a lifetime of happiness, peace, and love.

Whatever happens dont give up.. PTSD is a very hard thing to deal with. You will get snapped at, vulgar language may occur. He may not remember, he may not hear you. Hold onto what you have and love and support him. This support group is great and you will read many differnt stories, butr in the end they are all relatd. Stay strong

I am the wife of a Viet Nam veteran who was recently hospitalized on suicide watch resulting, in part, from his on-going struggle with PTSD. PTSD is very difficult on the person who has it and it very difficult on people who are close to the person with PTSD. Fortunately, my husband and I had an excellent PTSD counselor several years ago.

First, people with PTSD often do or say things that are are a result of what they experienced and have little to do with what is happening at the current time. In other words, it is very important not to take personally what someone suffering with PTSD says. This is very difficult and requires that you build strong emotional barriers to protect yourself. Second, it is important to understand the factors that trigger PTSD. My husband is triggered by lightening and by crowds. Thus, I need to be aware that I need to be supportive of him when he is exposed to these triggers. Third, the VA is much, much, much better at working with veterans now than it was following the Vietnam War. When my husband came back from Vietnam and suffered from PTSD, the VA treated him with electroshock. Fortunately, the VA has come a long way from those times. Read and learn what you can about PTSD, listen to what your husband says and feel what he feels, then talk with his PTSD counselors. They are more than overworked these days and veterans who have good advocates who actively participate in their health care will get much better care.

Patience for him is important. Patience for yourself is critical. Try to develop a support community with friends, family, or on-line. You will need it. Good luck. Be good to yourself. Para