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Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome/Questions Answered by Expert James Joseph Parker
| Subject | Date Asked |
| PTSD | 9/1/2011 |
| Q: I copied the bottom of this page in case you dind't remember me. You were right. I was waiting for ... A: Joyce, Your husband should have been formally notified that his condition was found to be service ... | |
| PTSD | 8/11/2011 |
| Q: I copied the bottom of this page in case you dind't remember me. You were right. I was waiting for ... A: Joyce, Let's start again. Your husband has a problem; while you're not certain what the ... | |
| PTSD | 8/11/2011 |
| Q: I copied the bottom of this page in case you dind't remember me. You were right. I was waiting for ... A: Joyce, So the other shoe has fallen. Now what? The question you need to ask yourself is ... | |
| PTSD | 8/6/2011 |
| Q: I copied the bottom of the page incase you didn't remember me. But I have noticed something kind of ... A: Joyce, In relationships where PTSD is present, both people suffer. That's why it's important ... | |
| disability | 8/4/2011 |
| Q: I just today talked my husband into seeing someone for his anxiety/stress. The Dr we saw today seems ... A: Joyce, The fact that you have a claim in for service connection for Jim's ankles does not ... | |
| disability | 8/3/2011 |
| Q: I just today talked my husband into seeing someone for his anxiety/stress. The Dr we saw today seems ... A: Joyce, I didn't realize the Dr. in your husband's case was a VA hospital employee. That said, ... | |
| disability | 8/1/2011 |
| Q: I just today talked my husband into seeing someone for his anxiety/stress. The Dr we saw today seems ... A: Joyce, A determination for your husband's P.T.S.D. being service connected (caused or ... | |
| PTSD related to others abuse of alcohol | 5/6/2011 |
| Q: I am messaging to ask you about whether it's possible to suffer from PTSD as a result of emotional ... A: Mary, Is it possible to suffer from PTSD as a result of emotional abuse suffered from an ... | |
| Is it really PTSD? | 3/7/2011 |
| Q: I am a 20 year old girl, and I am currently having Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I was referred for ... A: Carla, In view of the fact that you are under the care of a therapist, I will only give you ... | |
| The girl I care for has PTSD | 2/8/2011 |
| Q: I am having a difficult time with the girl that I am interested in. In the past, she was physically ... A: Jeff, Since this girl has been traumatized by past experiences with men, it is understandable ... | |
| My friend's ptsd/ptss | 1/20/2011 |
| Q: A close friend of mine lost her husband ten years ago in an auto accident. Although she has dated ... A: Randall, It sounds like you're on the right track. You're friend is indeed fortunate to have ... | |
| My friend's ptsd/ptss | 1/19/2011 |
| Q: A close friend of mine lost her husband ten years ago in an auto accident. Although she has dated ... A: Randall, I've read your questions several times. I believe that your friend is experiencing ... | |
| Need Advise | 1/2/2011 |
| Q: My brother is an ex-Marine and served in Afganistat. He is 30 years old and has been out of the ... A: Anna, I understand your concern for your brother's welfare. You love him and want to help him. ... | |
| Boyfriend with PTSD | 12/14/2010 |
| Q: My boyfriend and I have been living together for more than a year now. He was in Army and went to ... A: Lisa, Before I answer your question, I have a few questions. 1). Has your ... | |
| infidelity-PTSD | 10/14/2010 |
| Q: After a few months of dating, and after we had fallen in love my boyfriend disclosed that he had ... A: Okay Ann, you may feel like you have PTSD, but you probably do not. Only a professional ... | |
| ptsd | 6/25/2010 |
| Q: 15 yrs ago.Unfortunately my 3 young sons witnessed the attack and the attacker then slashed his ... A: Megan, You've had a number of challenges: "...an horrific assault,15 yrs ago...my 3 young sons ... | |
| Conducting Research for Paper | 6/4/2010 |
| Q: Parker, I am writing a research paper on PTSD for my history class. I have found that the occurrence ... A: Emeline, In my experience, the best preventative measure one can take to prevent the onset of ... | |
| I want to still be there for him. Is that weird? | 5/15/2010 |
| Q: I am attending counseling for myself now. I was wondering it is weird to still want to be here and ... A: Jessica, Telling someone that you're supportive of his efforts to help himself and letting him ... | |
| I want to still be there for him. Is that weird? | 5/13/2010 |
| Q: I am attending counseling for myself now. I was wondering it is weird to still want to be here and ... A: Jessica, It's healthy that you are now in counseling. No, it is not "weird to still want to be ... | |
| We broke up and he still isn't getting help | 5/10/2010 |
| Q: Me and my SO have just ended the relationship three weeks ago. He sent me a text message saying he ... A: Jessica, In response to your first question, "...would I be considered a trigger?" In my ... | |
| We broke up and he still isn't getting help | 5/7/2010 |
| Q: Me and my SO have just ended the relationship three weeks ago. He sent me a text message saying he ... A: Jessica, It is very common for people who are new to counseling (I assume you're new) to stop ... | |
| We broke up and he still isn't getting help | 5/4/2010 |
| Q: Me and my SO have just ended the relationship three weeks ago. He sent me a text message saying he ... A: Jessica, I'm sorry to hear about your breakup. This must be a very difficult time for you. ... | |
| mental disorders | 4/26/2010 |
| Q: I'm not sure if you'll be able to answer my question or not, but here it goes... My husband has ... A: Robin, Unfortunately, finding supplemental support for prescription co-pays is not an area ... | |
| mental disorders | 4/1/2010 |
| Q: I'm not sure if you'll be able to answer my question or not, but here it goes... My husband has ... A: Robin, Sounds like your on the right track. Perhaps a change in medication or a change in ... | |
| mental disorders | 3/30/2010 |
| Q: I'm not sure if you'll be able to answer my question or not, but here it goes... My husband has ... A: Robin, The following web site lists therapists in Philadelphia who work on a sliding scale ... | |
| Losing my grip...... | 3/25/2010 |
| Q: I am the girlfriend of a Afghanistan and Iraq War Veteran. We have been dating for a year and five ... A: Jessica, My best suggestion to get you the quickest support for your situation is to contact ... | |
| Losing my grip...... | 3/24/2010 |
| Q: I am the girlfriend of a Afghanistan and Iraq War Veteran. We have been dating for a year and five ... A: Jessica, I’ve read your question several times i.e. “…how do I get him to go to therapy when ... | |
| Post Traumatic Stress Disorder | 3/8/2010 |
| Q: I have suffered from this illness for over a year now. Could you please tell me how long this ... A: Robert, P.T.S.D., or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a not a condition that goes away over ... | |
| do i need help | 2/12/2010 |
| Q: . i also lock myself in cupboards an i even drag my wife into them i also become very aggressive ... A: Kevin, Given your multiple tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan, your sleep disturbances, and ... | |
| ptsd | 1/28/2010 |
| Q: About four years ago I was stalked and sexually assaulted at my work place. I finally reported him, ... A: Helen, It's evident that you're going through a very difficult time in your life. It is also ... | |
| ptsd | 1/27/2010 |
| Q: About four years ago I was stalked and sexually assaulted at my work place. I finally reported him, ... A: Helen, There’s a good deal of information in your question. I will try to summarize what I see ... | |
| Narcissists | 1/3/2010 |
| Q: I have been married to a narcissist & sober (for 10 years) alcoholic for 40 years. I am 58. Recently ... A: Linda, I’m happy to hear that you have been in counseling, and that the counseling sessions ... | |
| Narcissists | 1/2/2010 |
| Q: I have been married to a narcissist & sober (for 10 years) alcoholic for 40 years. I am 58. Recently ... A: Let me start out by informing you that I am not a professional i.e. doctor, psychologist, ... | |
| boyfriend with PTSD | 12/5/2009 |
| Q: My boyfriend (USMC) was diagnosed with PTSD in 2005 after his third tour in Iraq (he was in a ... A: Chelsea I’ve read your question several times. You say that, “I want to be with him and am ... | |
| relationship | 11/18/2009 |
| Q: My boyfriend suffers from bad nightmares, during the time he was serving in the war. (he was 18 ... A: Karin, Whether or not your boyfriend believes or does not believe in therapy, “…but he does ... | |
| Helping my (ex)girlfriend understand my PTSD | 11/2/2009 |
| Q: James, I am a Marine Corps Veteran. I served two 11 month tours in Iraq (2003-2004) with the 1st ... A: Benjamin, You say that, "I'm here in the program in order to get control over this," and "how ... | |
| PTSD and Chronic Pain | 10/28/2009 |
| Q: I am currently undergoing treatment for chronic pain and have recently begun cognitive behavioral ... A: Paul, The simple answer to your question about discussing your PTSD with your chronic pain ... | |
| my boyfriend and ptsd | 8/14/2009 |
| Q: My boyfriend and I have been together for a little over a year. At first everything was perfect, he ... A: Mary, Let's start with, "What can I do as a girlfriend to help him and our relationship?" You ... | |
| Delayed traumatic stress disorder | 6/7/2009 |
| Q: Is it possible for someone to just now be diagnosed with delayed traumatic stress disorder from Viet ... A: Sally, When I was attending therapy groups for veterans suffering from PTSD, occasionally ... | |
| - | 3/23/2009 |
| Q: My boyfriend had nasal surgery to correct a deviated septum this past December. He was suppose to be ... A: ATWAL, After reading your question several times, I feel there are two components to your ... | |
| can emotional abuse cause PTSD? | 3/13/2009 |
| Q: The past almost 2 years have been a nightmare which included, discovering that the husband who I ... A: Luana, The simple answer to your"can emotional abuse cause PTSD?" Certainly, but do YOU have ... | |
| girlfriend distresse and angry after her terminal illness is gone | 2/1/2009 |
| Q: My girlfriend, let's call her Catie, when she was 10 years old, was diagnosed by her doctors to die ... A: Terry, I've read your question several times, and while I can understand "Catie's" feelings ... | |
| Is his behaviour PTSD or just simple abuse | 1/30/2009 |
| Q: Me and my boyfriend have been living together for a little over a year now. He is now a retired ... A: Kristin, Whether your boyfriend has P.T.S.D. or T.B.I. (Traumatic Brain Injury), his behavior ... | |
| startle response and irrational behavior | 12/16/2008 |
| Q: If I am startled intentionally by a man due to my startle response being so exaggerated my emotions ... A: Lavon, "Is this a normal response with PTSD?" The simple answer to your question is that it's ... | |
| young widow sabotaging new love | 11/26/2008 |
| Q: 2 yrs ago, I became a widow from a sudden/tragic death of the love of my life. 6 mos ago, I met a ... A: Keiko, First, a disclaimer: I do not diagnose illness, in this case Post Traumatic Stress ... | |
| PTSD | 11/22/2008 |
| Q: I know you said that you cannot answer prescription questions and diagnosis stuff, but I was just ... A: Emily, I will answer your questions as you've presented them: "So the one on one counselor ... | |
| PTSD | 11/22/2008 |
| Q: I know you said that you cannot answer prescription questions and diagnosis stuff, but I was just ... A: Emily, Since your counselor has given you a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress reactions, it ... | |
| 23 year old son ptsd | 10/10/2008 |
| Q: My son was in the National Guard stationed in Afighistan.Saw war, Heavy drinking, drugs.Had a ... A: Vic, I'm assuming that your son was diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist as suffering ... | |
| How can I overcome my Paranoia? | 7/25/2008 |
| Q: I have the same problem with trusting my husband. As trust can develop through time with consistency ... A: You use the term "Paranoia" to describe your behavior in regards to your husband's actions. Paranoia ... | |
| PTSD | 6/27/2008 |
| Q: My husband and i have been married for 25 years. We've had a rocky marriage but have always loved ... A: Renee, After reading your question several times, my two cents is that you have set yourself ... | |
| Post trumatic amnesia/child abuse | 3/18/2008 |
| Q: My husband comes from a family where the children were abused (emotional and physical). The oldest ... A: Marcy, It's not unusual for people who have lived in abusive environments to have 'holes' in ... | |
| PTSD amongst OIF veterans | 11/1/2007 |
| Q: What is the suicide rate among OIF veterans with PTSD ?, and How does PTSD affect an individual and ... A: Kam, I found the following reference to OIF suicide rates. Included here are references to ... | |
| Desperate | 9/24/2007 |
| Q: Please can you give me some guidance. I'm completely desperate. After years of every kind of abuse ... A: I have read your question several times, and the first question I have for you is: Does your ... | |
| trust marriage and past issues | 9/20/2007 |
| Q: My husband and I have been together as a couple for 13 years. As a teenager, I walked in and saw my ... A: Angela, My first question to you is: Have you and your husband gone to marriage counseling? If ... | |
| help | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: I was burnt when i was younger and my dad did things to me when i was 15 that he should only do to ... A: Sarah, In addition to the trauma of having been burnt, you have also suffered the trauma of sexual ... | |
| PTS | 6/1/2007 |
| Q: How can a person treat PTS naturally and without taking drugs?. A: This question calls for a prescriptive answer, and I am not a qualified authority on the various ... | |
Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome
Answers by Expert:
James Joseph Parker
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can offer individuals who suffer from the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, the understanding that is often sorely lacking in this area of mental health, and I can answer many of the questions that are specific to this disease. In addition, I can address many of the questions that individuals who have lived, or who are now living in an alcoholic household need answered, to help them address the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll this illness exacts, not only on the alcoholic, but those who live with the alcoholic as well. I can not address questions concerning the prescription of medications or the diagnosis of disease.
Experience
I am a former Marine who served one tour of duty in Vietnam. I was diagnosed with PTSD in 1980, and have been in several in-patient programs, clinical veteran groups, and one-on-one counseling for approxmately twenty years. I was raised in an alcoholic household, and I have been a member of Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) for sixteen years. Over the years, I have acquired a wealth of experience that I believe can be beneficial in helping others to examine their own issues. I am also a writer, and I have used writing as a means of examining my own life, and as a tool for working through personal issues.
Organizations
ALANON (ACOA) - A 12 Step Program (16 years).
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) (20 years).
Publications
Buffalo Evening News
Education/Credentials
B.S. Computer Science - Buffalo State College 1988
Currently tutoring English students at Buffalo State College, and working on my undergrad degree in writing.
Awards and Honors
Decorated military veteran
Exemplary Service award from English department of Buffalo State College.
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