The Veterans’ Survival Guide: The Veterans’ Survival Guide: Explaining combat-related PTSD for ex-servicemen and their families

‘Jimmy Johnson is to be thanked and congratulated for producing such an admirably clear guide, not only on what PTSD means to a sufferer, but on what remedial action could and should be taken by those who are in a position to help veterans. ’

- General the Lord Ramsbotham GCB CBE formerly HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales

‘The Guide is very informative, I related to it. Thanks for letting me open up. I find it helps knowing that someone else knows. It feels very scary reading the Guide and relating it to myself but you are a lifeline.’

- Malaya and Northern Ireland veteran

‘I have tremendous respect for you, Jimmy – for your efforts and understanding of what we have survived as soldiers.’

- US Special Forces veteran

‘Jimmy, I got more out of this book, than I did from all my ten years of therapy’

- Northern Ireland veteran

‘Many thanks for all you did for the young Para, Jimmy. He said, “It’s as if the guy can see inside my head.” That is what he said to me after he read your Survival Guide. Once again, my sincere thanks.’

- A prison ‘listener’, referring to an Iraq war veteran on suicide watch

‘Watching one’s child suffering PTSD is a heartbreaking experience. It made me feel totally inadequate as a mother, as I could not take away the pain, fear, hurt, anger etc. of my child. I also believed this anger was directed at me personally and found it difficult to understand. The Survival Guide gave me, in words that I can understand, a greater knowledge of PTSD, showing me how to help myself deal with PTSD and therefore help and support my child.’

- Mother of a sufferer of PTSD

‘My congratulations on the Survival Guide. I think it is quite outstanding, and for my welfare and clinical staff a really helpful insight into many of the things that they encounter as they go about their work. I will commend this work to anyone who shows more than a passing concern in the issues that you raise.’

- Commodore Toby Elliott, Chief Executive Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress)

‘I can’t thank Jimmy enough – the Guide saved my life and also showed me what had gone wrong with my life’

- Gary, Northern Ireland veteran and sufferer of combat-related PTSD

A Statement from the Author

Read a statement from Jimmy Johnson, the author of The Veterans' Survival Guide

An Excerpt of the Book

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The Veterans’ Survival Guide

Remember the Surviving Soldiers

Post-traumatic stress disorder affects many servicemen and women returning from tours of duty. Unaware that they are suffering from the condition, upon returning to civilian life they may be left undiagnosed and untreated, with potentially devastating consequences.

The Veterans’ Survival Guide has been written to help veterans and their families to understand the causes, symptoms and very real dangers of PTSD. Sharing the experiences of real soldiers who have been affected by the disorder, the Guide is designed to increase awareness of combat-related PTSD, to help sufferers and their families identify the condition, and to encourage veterans to seek the treatment they need and deserve.

A Foreword

Read the Foreword by General the Lord Dannatt

Testimonies

Praise for The Veterans' Survival Guide

Chapter List

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About This Book

This Book is for Soldiers all over the World Many veterans are paying a hidden and very high price for being well-trained soldiers. They are often unaware that they are carrying psychological injuries from being exposed to life-threatening situations. On their return home, some may find it difficult to fit back into a society at peace.

No one knows exactly how many undiagnosed veterans there might be suffering combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after serving in wars and conflicts. It is a shameful paradox that people who chose to serve their country are then overlooked by its government. PTSD is costly for both the veterans and their families and for society at large, needlessly destroying relationships with family and friends, making it difficult to hold down jobs, and sometimes causing destructive, violent or depressive behaviour that can result in substance abuse, crime or suicide.

This book has been written by a former soldier who suffers from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder for soldiers all over the World, both serving and discharged in the hope that it will help them understand their situation.