Has anyone ever heard of a solider who just got back from Iraq killing or hurting their spouse in their sleep?

Question

I know it sounds zany, but my sister's boyfriend is going to Iraq in March and she's really scared that when he comes back he's going to try to kill her in her sleep.

She's talked to other military wives who say that their own husbands were normal sleepers who, after going to Iraq, came back with night terrors in which they wake up screaming and thrashing in their sleep.

My sister says her boyfriend already has "sleep issues" (apparently he talks in his sleep and has had intiated and had full s*x with her all in his sleep) so she's afraid he's going to wake up from a night terror and hurt her while disoriented and confused.

I personally have never heard of this happening. Have any of you?

Answer 1

The condition you are speaking of is called PTSD.  It often affects soldiers who have been in combat ANYWHERE.

She can be supportive of him on his return, and insist that he seek care from a VA psychologist which is free.

I believe she is over-reacting to something that hasn't even occured and may never occur.

Try to get her to ease up, and not borrow trouble for herself or her BF.

Answer 2

PTSD is a very serious condition. There are more accounts of this than are reported. I dont know anyone with severe ptsd but my husband has only been in for a year. One of his buddies has to drink to fall asleep or have someone rub his back to relax him. It can be as unsevere as that or to the point of physical harm to self or others. Just tell her to be supportive and take action to get him help if he has any symptoms at all upon return from deployment. Tell her that her and her boyfriend are in my prayers and thoughts.

Answer 3

NO some have serious problems and the dod's record of handling is poor but thats not something i would fear

Answer 4

I can speak from experience.

My husband came back not the same person ( those who are familiar with PT SD can understand. )

He had horrible night terrors and would wake up sweating and sometimes crying. On 6 different occasions i can tell you that if i startled him or woke him from his sleep he lounged toward me, he woke up and strangled me 3 times, and punched me when i tried to wake him up for work one time.

The things you arwe talking about are not made up, they are symptoms of PTSD, Severe PTSD.

Since my husband got out in 2005, and now living as a civilian things are better. He taked medication and talks to me now about things. Considering the therapists at the VA hospital are piece of S**t a$$holes who do not care.

Answer 5

This does happen more  than you might think.  Returning soldiers are not getting the help or screening they need after being deployed for such long periods and seeing all that they have.  What most people do not realize is not one single soldier will or ever can be the same.  If you or your soldier think they will then you are fooling yourself.  I am President of a wonderful military support group called Blue Star Mothers.  We deal with this every day. I highly suggest you ( since your spouse is in) and your family member contact the nearest chapter. www.bluestarmothers.org and click on finding a chapter.  We help work through things like this.