Don't take the bait. The politics and opinions of others on war and our country are just that: opinions of others. Don't let that stuff sidetrack you. Neither you nor I are important enough to change the course of this country of opinions of the masses. Let that stuff go for now.

Your focus should be on you you and your family. Your son is six now, but as he gets older he will notice things about you that are "off" if you don't get help. Take care of yourself. Talk to a counselor or maybe hang out with other vets that are willing to discuss these issues. There's a reason you posted this: it helps to talk it out.

I was never in the military, but I was neglected and psysically and psychologically abused by my dad, and got the shit kicked out me regularly in grade school. Growing up I felt like it was no big deal and I just pushed forward, got my shit together, and now look like I'm doing pretty well. But now that things have settled down in my life (I'm 50 and both kids are now teens), I now realize all of my "issues" over the years and still have stemmed from the shit I experienced as a kid and suppressed. Clearly my shit is nothing like what you had to go through...but that's exactly my point. Considering that my childhood neglect and abuse was super minor compared to your PTSD combat experience, I can't imagine the problems you may be having in trying to deal with it.

You already know that the ways you're dealing with it (drinking, staying up, etc.) aren't working. So see a counselor...that's what they do for a living. If it doesn't work out, then stop.

If you read up on military PTSD you know you're not alone and you know what you should do.

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