War memories: Hagen Vockerodt fights with his demons

War memories: Hagen Vockerodt fights with his demons

Kirchen bei Ehingen, Deutschland - Hagen Vockerodt, a former Bundeswehr soldier, experienced an incredible 1638 days in action, including in crisis areas such as Kosovo, Bosnia and Afghanistan. He worked as a paramedic (Combat Medic) and not only had to go into battle, but also had to process traumatic events such as the stoning of an Afghan woman and the dramatic loss of his comrades. The horrors of the war not only shaped his career, but also his entire life. "I wanted to get to know the danger, the adrenaline and other cultures," explains the now 45-year-old while looking back on time, as Schwaebische.de reported.

hidden fights and ptbs

According to his missions, Vockerodt returned, but peace turned out to be illusory. He suffered from a post -traumatic stress disorder (PTBS), which resulted from the terrible experiences in the war. "I didn't work anymore," he describes his emotions after a dangerous Situation in Afghanistan when a shot hit his vest and he saw the bloody wounds of his comrades. These memories always caught up with him, accompanied by flashbacks and enormous anxiety. It wasn't up to a crucial moment when his daughter wanted to "protect" him to find the courage to seek psychological help. Now, in retrospect, Vockerodt tells how important it is to talk about his experiences and to help others who have experienced similar trauma as swr.de describes.

Vockerodt has now dealt with his past and wants to help other PTSD victims. He uses his platform to explain and shows that even after the hardest missions, a new life is possible. His therapy helped him to bring stability back into his life and to develop new perspectives. Among other things, he spoke about his experiences at the Invictus Games, who for him were an emotionally profound experience and opened his eyes for the community of veterans. "It was incredibly emotional. The most beautiful ten days I had," he recalls. His goal is clear: to sensitize people to the challenges of soldiers and not have to carry the severe burden of war memories alone.