Military
Most people experience distress following traumatic experiences such as combat, military sexual trauma (which can happen to both men and women) or accidents. For some, this distress does not go away with time. They may develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and experience several symptoms such as:
- reliving or re-experiencing the trauma in vivid memories, nightmares or flashbacks
- feeling numb, disconnected or distant from others
- feeling very anxious or angry
- purposely avoiding people or things that remind you of the traumatic event
Current estimates suggest approximately 10-20% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan may experience PTSD. It is important to note that PTSD is not a sign of weakness. It is a relatively normal reaction to overwhelmingly stressful and often life threatening events. It can be extremely distressing and people with PTSD often experience a variety of related difficulties. These can include:
- difficulty relating to friends or loved ones
- alcohol or drug abuse (often to try to cope with their symptoms)
- depression and thoughts of suicide
- high risk-taking behavior
- guilt and/or shame
Treatment for PTSD is highly effective in alleviating the distress in those who are suffering from it. It often combines psychotherapy with medications. Therapy typically involves helping the person develop better coping skills to manage their PTSD symptoms, looking at how their thoughts may be contributing to their distress and challenging the avoidance of the traumatic recollections. When a person can feel safe and less anxious and then revisit the traumatic event by thinking about it, it can help decrease the intensity of their distress and the intrusive nature of the traumatic recollections (for example, nightmares or flashbacks).
Please feel free to contact me if you have concerns that you may be experiencing any of these symptoms.
