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The unusual triggers that I had were the smell of fresh earth...

Richard Braley, US Marine Corps 1967 - 1970, talks about how he knew he had PTSD.

Transcript

I had many triggers that I'd be faced with.

Some of that are unusual.

The unusual triggers that I had were the smell of fresh earth,

would, I would freak out.

Wherever I walked upon it, I would have to leave.

Second trigger I had was also unusual was if I came

across a hole in the ground,

hole being anything that was dug.

It could have been dug three years ago or a minute ago.

As soon as I saw it, I would freak and have to turn around

and leave at a fast pace.

Other triggers were the normal triggers, loud noises.

If I were camping which was one

of my favorite pastimes I would pick the campsite regardless

of who I was with and I would find the campsite

that I found defensible.

Unusual but yes, my campsite had to be defensible.

The only thing we didn't have to do was dig in.

So these were triggers

that created an instant awareness of my surrounding.

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