Freshwater Vietnam veteran on the PTSD that took 30 years to name

Vietnam Veteran Paul Davison wakes up crying one morning and soon after quits his job as a NSW Police Sergeant. It is the year 2000 and it comes after months of mental anguish over the job. Unbeknown to Paul, he’s been living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for years, but writes it off as sleep trouble and heightened instincts. “I remember walking from where I live in Freshwater to Shelly Beach and always looking  around, sussing things out,” he says. “I get upset when women walking towards me are looking at the ground - I think they should be aware of what’s going on around them.  “It’s all part of the PTSD. I don’t do this anymore.” The condition emerges after a 33-year career in the force. “I...

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