Veteran shares challenges, pain of PTSD in hope of helping others – WGN TV Chicago

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Last month we honored our veterans. But long after the celebrations end, the fight for healing continues.

WGNs Medical Watch team first met marine David Meza when he was seeking treatment for his debilitating anxiety and PTSD. He opened up to us about his struggles, and his honesty was so captivating, there was an opportunity to learn more.

As a young 18-year-old kid, youre handed this rifle, you think youre going go do all this cool stuff. And then when you get there, it is cool, but then you realize theres people involved, Meza said. Its not just this video game you have in your head, its real. I think thats what a lot of people dont understand or dont realize until they get there.

In August, Meza had flown from the West Coast to Chicago to undergo a medical procedure. He received an injection in a bundle of nerves in the neck known to help some with severe anxiety associated with PTSD.

At the time he said he was nervous.

But hopeful that this will help me in the end, he said. If theres anything that comes from this, I want my anxiety to be gone. When I got out, I told myself. I dont have PTSD. Im fine. I dont need to go to therapy. I dont need any of that stuff. Thats what people who are weak do. (There is a) lot of anger, lot of bubbling, a lot of not being able to control. It gets to the point where I punch walls. Ive broken doors. My anxiety, my anger, my paranoia doesnt allow my brain to rest and just chill.

Meza served from 2005 to 2009 in the Second battalion, 7thMarines.

It started off rough at first, he said. We had a lot of explosions, people being hurt, seeing a kid be hurt. It gets to the point where its overwhelming to the senses. iIt makes you numb. Its what I signed up for but its a lot deeper than that. Its lives and children and families and brothers and mothers. And you can see that when you talk to them.

In August he said he was at a low point.

Ill be honest with you, he said. I get those thoughts everyday about suicide like Id be better off not here. And the only thing that keeps me around, Im going to be honest, is my son.

Three months after his procedure, WGN visited Meza at home in California.

I woke up, and it was like literally a light switch had been flipped, he said. And I was like, Huh thats weird. Thats kind of different. Thats kind of nice. The anxiety that I used to have is pretty much gone. Im able to be calm about things and not spin and not go out of control. Im going to therapy once a week. Not a lot of guys like to talk about it, and its hard, but I dont ever think of us as a victim. We just have problems that we need to deal with from fighting a war and being over there in a country thats not ours and seeing the things that we didnt grow up seeing.

Meza said he is moving forward.

Just try to live my best life, he said. Try to keep going to therapy, work on myself. I started going to church again. Im going with my mom and my son and its been kind of nice. Because of the depression I would say those thoughts come and go in and out of your head about not wanting to be here. But then they just quickly come and quickly go because I do have my son. I do have a reason to live. I do have a reason to be around.

Meza said he shared his story with the hope it may help fellow veterans who may be struggling.

Mike D'Angelo WGN photojournalist, editor contributed to this report.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 suicidepreventionlifeline.org

The Stellate Ganglion Block Procedure, go to: https://eraseptsdnow.org/

For immediate crisis situations:

For immediate assistance, call 911 or local Police Department for emergency response

Community-based organizations that help reunite veterans with Tribe

Military Veteran Care Giver Network (MVCN) offers peer-based support and services to connect those providing care to service members and veterans living with wounds, illnesses and/or injuries. https://milvetcaregivernetwork.org/ or call 800-959-8277

List provided byShauna Springer, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

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Veteran shares challenges, pain of PTSD in hope of helping others - WGN TV Chicago