Greg Tanner's Take On How PTSD Shapes the Lives of Veterans
For many veterans, the battles don't end once they leave the military. While the uniform comes off, the memories of war and service can haunt them for years. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common challenge veterans face, which affects their ability to live a normal life. The stress, anxiety, and trauma can deeply impact their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It is an invisible wound that leaves them isolated, and struggling to navigate a world that seems so different from the one they once knew.
Veterans with PTSD experience flashbacks, nightmares, and crippling anxiety. Simple daily tasks can become overwhelming. Things like making a living, maintaining relationships, or even caring for themselves can seem impossible. Financial struggles can add to the weight they carry, as PTSD can limit their ability to hold steady jobs or manage stress. The emotional toll can be just as heavy, with feelings of shame, guilt, and depression haunting them long after they've left the battlefield.
Greg Tanner's memoir, First In; Last Out, offers an intimate look at the challenges veterans face after their military service, particularly those living with PTSD. In this breathtakingly courageous memoir, Tanner shares his personal journey with unflinching honesty. He recounts the events that led to his diagnosis of PTSD, including breaking his back in 2012 and the difficulties that followed. Diagnosed three years later, Tanner struggled not only with physical pain but also with the mental toll of his experiences.
The portrayal of PTSD in his memoir is raw and eye-opening. Tanner sheds light on the daily battles veterans face, from the intense anxiety and stress to the stigma surrounding mental health. He opens up about his struggles with day-to-day life, admitting that sometimes, his experiences made no sense to him. As he puts it, "Sometimes, you can make sense of it, and other times, WTF is all I could come up with. I think that, for me, best describes my PTSD."
Tanner's book is a ray of hope for other veterans and anyone battling trauma. With vulnerability and strength, he shows us that trauma can happen to anyone and that healing is possible, no matter how daunting the task may seem. For Tanner, the turning point came in 2021 when he met Barrett, his service dog. Barrett helped him regain a sense of control and hope, and guided him through the long and difficult process of healing.
In First In; Last Out, Tanner doesn't shy away from the truth. He shares the financial, mental, and emotional struggles that come with PTSD, but he also offers a powerful message of resilience. His story reminds us that no one is alone in their struggles and that with love, support, and the right resources, even the darkest traumas can be overcome. Greg Tanner's journey is one of courage, healing, and hope, and his memoir will leave a lasting impact on anyone who reads it.
