Britta Reque-Dragicevic Coming Home, Courage, Families After War, Healing from War, Post War Life, PTSD, Warrior Identity

When the Past Feels More Real Than the Present

We spend a lot of time thinking that we need to let go of the past. "Let it go". "Move on." "Leave it behind you." "Try not to think about it." "That's not who you are anymore." These are phrases that are well intentioned and often eventually work for broken hearts, break-ups, job losses, and … Continue reading When the Past Feels More Real Than the Present

Britta Reque-Dragicevic Coming Home, Courage, Grief, Healing from War, Post War Life, PTSD, Rage, Spirit Wounds

Combat PTSD: F***ed Up or Wounded?

Okay, so the words themselves mean the same thing in your mind. Fucked up. Pain. Shit. Issues. Doesn't matter what you call it, right? Who cares? What if how you think of it is keeping you stuck? No, I'm not being "a writer" here and picking on words. On the surface, it doesn't matter how you refer to the … Continue reading Combat PTSD: F***ed Up or Wounded?

Britta Reque-Dragicevic Coming Home, Courage, Families After War, Healing from War, Post War Life, PTSD, Spirit Wounds

PTSD: When No One Believes Your Pain is Real

From the time I was five, I have lived with a body that subjects me to pain. Severe headaches at age five, joint pain that kept me on the sofa at age nine. Then an adolescence of debilitating fatigue, sensitivity to sound and temperatures, allover muscle and joint aches, flu-like symptoms. It would last for weeks, months … Continue reading PTSD: When No One Believes Your Pain is Real

Britta Reque-Dragicevic Coming Home, Grief, Healing from War, Post War Life, PTSD, Rage, Spirit Wounds

I Came Back from Combat, Why the #@!% Am I So Angry!?!?

You come home from combat angry. Stupid shit sets you off. You lash out at people you care about only to see pain and fear flash through their confused eyes. Sometimes you start fights on purpose. Usually, you just react. A stupid driver makes you snap, before you know it you're in a blind rage. In … Continue reading I Came Back from Combat, Why the #@!% Am I So Angry!?!?

Britta Reque-Dragicevic Coming Home, Families After War, Healing from War, Post War Life, PTSD, Sex & Relationships

PTSD, TBI, Sex and Relationships

You came back different. Changed. You can't really describe  it, but you're not yourself. Not who you used to be. You're angry. Blow up at stupid shit. Lack other emotions. Feel numb. Tired. Disinterested in stuff that used to be interesting. Tense. Sleepless. Have nightmares that scare the hell out of you. Forget shit. Can't … Continue reading PTSD, TBI, Sex and Relationships

Britta Reque-Dragicevic Coming Home, Healing from War, Post War Life

Dear Veteran, Why We Forget You

We live in a society that has a super short attention span. Maybe it's because we're inundated by a constant stream of headlines that bullet-point and define where our attention goes, and we allow it. The stream becomes white noise; part of the daily mindscape that feeds us distraction. Maybe it's because most people have … Continue reading Dear Veteran, Why We Forget You

Britta Reque-Dragicevic Coming Home, Families After War, Grief, Healing from War, Post War Life, PTSD, Spirit Wounds

Things Combat Vets Wish They Could Tell You | Part 1

One of the most challenging aspects combat vets face when coming home is the gap between who they are now and who their loved ones expect them to be. Warriors say that you can't translate much of what they've been through, because there is no substitute for being there. And there is deep truth in … Continue reading Things Combat Vets Wish They Could Tell You | Part 1

Britta Reque-Dragicevic Coming Home, Families After War, Grief, Healing from War, Post War Life, PTSD, Spirit Wounds

Things Combat Vets Wish They Could Tell You | Part 2

If you haven't read Part 1, please do. This is part of a discussion designed to help combat vets help others understand them better. If this article resonates with you, pass it along to a loved one. Here is what I hear from vets and what they are often unable to share with others: 1.) … Continue reading Things Combat Vets Wish They Could Tell You | Part 2

Britta Reque-Dragicevic Coming Home, Grief, Healing from War, Spirit Wounds

The Role Your Energy and Soul Play in Healing

There is a myth that says it is possible to come back from war and be unchanged. It's perpetuated by how we've pigeon-holed whether or not you are affected by combat by measuring whether or not you have PTSD. It's an easy-out for our culture and an almost certain condemnation to isolation and suffering for … Continue reading The Role Your Energy and Soul Play in Healing

Britta Reque-Dragicevic Coming Home, Courage, Grief, Healing from War, PTSD, Spirit Wounds

A Warrior’s Call to Courage After War

How do you see yourself? Don't let your wounds and fears and feeling stuck in this perpetual hell of the unknown take away your identity. Don't let it erase the truth that you are incredibly strong, resilient, tenacious, brave. Don't let a diagnosis replace who you are. You are not your diagnosis. You are not … Continue reading A Warrior’s Call to Courage After War