PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a term applied to a collection of conditions that affect veterans of all branches and all eras of service. PTSD can be life-altering and, in some cases, can lead to severe depression and even suicidal thoughts or actions.
It can stem from military sexual trauma, war zone deployments, or even experiencing or witnessing accidents during routine training. Veterans suffering from PTSD are often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed and may spend much of their lives suffering needlessly from a variety of physical, mental and emotional issues.
PTSD in Veterans–How Common Is It?
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, about seven percent of all veterans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. This number is slightly higher than in the general population, in which about six percent of adults experience PTSD.
The condition is more than twice as common for female veterans as males, with 13 percent of female veterans experiencing PTSD as opposed to six percent of males. Veterans who are deployed are at a higher risk than those who remain at home, as well. Additionally, the type of occupation of the veteran, both before and after service, may impact PTSD rates.
The era of time in which you served may have an impact on how likely you are to experience PTSD. According to a recent study:
| Service Era | PTSD Probability |
| Operation Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom | 29 Percent |
| Persian Gulf War | 21 Percent |
| Vietnam War | 10 Percent |
| World War II/Korean War | 3 Percent |
The fact that many of the veterans included in the later groups have already died may have impacted the percentages of these studies.
How Does PTSD Impact Veterans’ Lives?
Many veterans struggling with PTSD suffer from a range of problems. PTSD is not a single symptom or issue, but a collection of behaviors that complicate everyday life and can have physical, emotional and mental implications.
Some common behaviors associated with PTSD include:
Reliving The Event:
Some people experiencing PTSD are triggered by sounds, sights or even smells to experience a painful event all over again. When this happens, they may experience physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, and shortness of breath. They may be unable to move, or may suffer from uncontrollable shaking or spasms.
Avoidance of People or Situations:
Many veterans suffering from PTSD are simply unable to be around crowds or even certain people or locations. They will instinctively avoid these people or places, even if it means missing out on social opportunities. Some veterans with PTSD may also find it difficult to talk about their experiences and avoid relationships and conversations that may require them to do so.
Persistent Negative Feelings:
When a veteran suffers from PTSD, he or she can experience relentless negative feelings such as depression, anxiety, remorse, guilt, or shame. PTSD sufferers may lose interest in previously enjoyable activities.
Alcohol and drug abuse:
People suffering from PTSD are far more likely than the average person to abuse alcohol or drugs in an effort to find relief for constant pain. In some cases, PTSD can lead to serious addiction issues.
Is There Hope for PTSD?
Fortunately, veterans suffering from PTSD do not have to simply live with their conditions. With the right treatment, PTSD can be managed and controlled. However, this requires the veteran to seek help and to have access to quality care over whatever period of time is necessary to work.
