i have a very simple definition for what ptsd is. it s a normal reaction to a screwed up situation. how many of these men and women saw people die? maybe they had to kill somebody. maybe they were in multiple roadside bomb explosions. honestly i have seen more lives destroyed because of ptsd than i have from missing limbs or physical injuries burns like mine. it was right at the beginning of the war. we didn t talk about ptsd back then. i just felt crazy and i didn t want to feel anything. my first coping mechanism was to use drugs, just numb it. the first time i saw her when she came back was in the hospital. it was a rehab hospital. she looked like she had been beaten up. they were talking about releasing her. i offered her to come and live with me. i thought all she needs is a big hug. come live with me and i can hug you. it doesn t work that way.