WHEN Ram Patten returned from the front line of the war in Afghanistan, he looked and sounded the same – but to his wife, he was a different person.

The emotional strain of conflict had taken its toll on the young Royal Marine, and he was struggling to get a grip on himself and his thoughts.

"Something was missing," said Ram's 26-year-old wife Candice.

"He was the same physically, but he was different – like the shell of my husband.

"It was strange because I've never been the type to demand to know what happens out there, but he didn't want to talk about anything in depth.

"I just thought it would come with time, but it didn't. His behaviour changed, and the noises on TV would make him agitated.

"He was frightened to sleep because of the terrible nightmares, so he stayed awake as long as he could every night.

"It was difficult on our relationship because I wanted to support him, but I just couldn't help him."

Ram's problems began to surface just two months into his first tour of Afghanistan in late 2007.

As a 27-year-old Section Commander and Acting Corporal with Taunton-based 40 Commando, he was posted to the remote Forward Operating Base (FOB) Robinson in the Afghan desert.

On a daily basis he and his comrades were carrying out foot patrols of the immediate area, conducting 'hearts and minds' operations reassuring the local Afghan population and ensuring a safe passage to school for the local children.

While he says it is difficult to put his finger on how exactly he began to suffer from the disorder, he points to close engagements with Taliban fighters and compassion for the suffering of local children as being 'triggers'.

"I noticed things weren't right when I began suffering from insomnia," he said, fighting back the emotions while talking at the couple's Eggbuckland home.

"I didn't sleep for three days. I started getting really jumpy, and nervous and agitated.

"I didn't feel positive any more, and my mind was going against everything I'd learned as a Royal Marine.

"I lost that touch and the personal character which had been instilled in me as a Royal Marine. When I did eventually sleep I was having nightmares about going out on patrol and being left alone in the desert."

Realising something was wrong, he attempted to phone his wife at home but due to a communications shutdown – which happens when a fatality occurs in theatre – he was unable to reach her. This only made Ram yet more frustrated.

"Thoughts began building up and I couldn't see a way through the frustration," he added.

"I was almost losing control, and feeling dizzy. I could feel my heart rate racing.

"I was walking away from people and becoming a stranger to my closest friends."

Ram was sent home to the UK because of his symptoms. He saw a doctor in the spring of 2008 who sent him to be treated at HMS Drake. After nine months of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment, Ram's mental state improved, although he still feels he's recovering.

"For a PTSD sufferer there's no blueprint for treatment," he said. "Everyone's different. What's important is for the sufferer to find a way to make himself better.

"I'm lucky in that I have an extremely strong partner, family and friends. They saved me."

Ram's experiences and his recovery have been recognised by the PTSD charity Talking 2 Minds, which has approached him to be a patron.

The 30-year-old said he felt 'honoured' to take on the role.

"I feel incredibly humbled," said Ram who is still a marine and now working with the Stonehouse- based UK Landing Force Command Support Group as a Lance Corporal.

"When I saw the list of their patrons – including the likes of Simon Weston, and Andy McNab – I couldn't believe it.

"I'm just another guy who lives in Plymouth doing his job.

"I just hope someone can gain inspiration from what I've been through."