Robert from Montana

[robert1986]

Hello, my name is Robert and I just joined the message board here . 

I come from a wretched and heinous childhood but $48,000 of therapy ( now I don't have much money left) has helped me alot. It's a shame that I spent that amount but most of what I have learned from life is from trial and error. 

 

I am reading philosophy right now and have a pretty decent grip on the subject. Ironically the State diagnosed me with ADD and ADHD. I have my doubts about the DSM manual myself. 

I am a former infantry soldier who got ran over in 2013 by a garbage truck. Currently sueing. But I had to rely on Disability and VA benefits due to my extensive damage to my back and right ankle. I can never drive again because of this. .

My goal in joining this group is to be in a community that I can be valuable too. I have long got rid of everyone in my life that's toxic to me. 

I have nobody to help or support me. I've donated thousands to charity but oddly when I needed charity no response. 

There is an old saying which rings true I n my case " It is certainly true that the purpose of some people's lives is to serve as a warning to others"

An excellent quote that I can relate to. I am a product of abuse so I know it's effects quite well.

What are my goals? 

To help myself and this community and to gain more knowledge.

 

More info:

I have no kids, no debt and not dating( I do want to but it's difficult to find sane ppl). I am 31 and of mixed decent ( 78% Greek, Italian, Iberian ) and the rest Dominican with traces of Afrikaan)

 

I may relocate to NH in a few years .

Thank you for your time 

 

[Jot]

First off welcome to the forum and I am sorry for your childhood. It is not rare that I hear childhood horror stories from people who joined the military.

I am really curious about those 48k worth of therapy. I am not exaggerating when I am telling you that you can buy a really nice house in my country with this money. What did the therapy consist of? And how many years have you been going through it? I am guessing it had to be tons of sessions. 

 

Thank you for creating this thread.

[robert1986]

Oh it wasn't just sessions. I had to do lots of trial and error for Talk Therapy. 

Went to half a dozen therapist just to find out they were not for me .

Keep in mind , most of my life nobody told me anything and in fact got in my way if I was close to finding a road to help.

Same with therapy. People sent me to the wrong therapist many times. Of course I go find out tor myself. Going to the wrong therapist multiple times racks up a bill like no other. 

Since everyone and their mother lied to me about "good therapist" I just did Trial and Error. 

$48,000 here in the US certainly won't get you a house unless it's the woods. Lol. Back in the 50's houses were cheap. 

But yeah spent thousands on just finding the right therapist on own.Could not rely on others for advice.Because when I did it cost me money. 

I did therapy for 2 years. 

A long time I suppose. The therapist I saw was expensive. Crazy expensive. 

Not to mention I've donated to charity during that period. AND get this, when I was in the Army all my stuff was stolen . Over $150,000 stolen from me in gear( $100,000 in government gear and $50,000 of personal gear). Imagine that 

You can imagine my outrage from these things. Giving back to the community and then being stolen from by that community. Very frustrating. Not to mention, the dollar has devalued by 95% so purchasing power is way down

So prices will appear to be 30% higher or so . 

 

[jroseland]

Wow. You've been through a lot.

Other than the (talk?) therapy what ELSE have you found is effective in dealing with trauma?

[robert1986]

Well, reading the classics and perspective of harsh condition.

Marcus Aurelias Meditations is a great read. Watching documentary called Rome The Rise and Fall of an Empire. 

Looking at history and how did those people cope and adapt. 

Read some Nietzsche. I had survived by adapting like a chameleon. 

I also volunteered animal shelters.