For many veterans, transitioning to civilian life can be overwhelming after experiencing significant emotional distress. Being subjected to several life-or-death situations, extreme violence, and the loss of comrades can leave them highly vulnerable to a mental health condition called Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Veterans experience PTSD at higher rates than the general population. Understanding PTSD and what it truly entails is crucial in helping your loved ones navigate the path to healing and recovery.
Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD often occurs in military veterans who have been deployed to war zones. While it’s normal to feel combat stress and a range of physical and emotional reactions after trauma, most people recover within a few weeks. However, if these unhealthy responses persist for a month or more and substantially affect daily life, it might be more than just a stress reaction – it could be PTSD.
A study revealed that certain variables like the degree of exposure to combat, discharging of weapons during battle, witnessing life-threatening injuries or death, and the level of social support following the traumatic experience may all influence a veteran’s likelihood of developing PTSD.
While symptoms may manifest soon after returning from war, they may also not appear until much later in life. Below are common symptoms of PTSD that can last for months or even years:
- Feeling as though the traumatic event is happening again.
- Persistently avoiding anything that can be associated with the traumatic event.
- Exaggerated negative beliefs of oneself or others.
- Intense feelings of fear, nervousness, or anxiety.
- Hyperarousal or an increased responsiveness and sensitivity to stimuli.
- Depression.
If you observe these signs of PTSD from a combat veteran that considerably affect their day-to-day activities, you may consider seeking help from a mental health professional.
Effective Ways to Help Someone with PTSD From War
The path to PTSD recovery is non-linear and can vary for each individual, but knowing how to help someone through their trauma-related challenges can make a significant difference. Below are helpful ways to aid a loved one in starting their healing journey from PTSD.
Learn More About PTSD
Educating yourself about PTSD and its symptoms, causes, and treatments is an essential step in supporting your loved ones. It fosters empathy and promotes a nonjudgmental approach to the enduring effects of experiencing war. It also raises awareness of how PTSD is a real and serious condition that requires immediate clinical attention.
Be Patient and Supportive
Healing from the psychological scars of PTSD takes time and requires a compassionate understanding of what the individual is going through. Don’t force a person with PTSD to share anything before they’re even ready to, and never invalidate their harrowing experiences. Instead, engage in active listening, acknowledge their progress, and reassure them they are not alone in recovery.
Recognize Potential Triggers
Certain sounds, smells, or situations can easily trigger distressing memories when someone goes through a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD in veterans are more likely to worsen when they are exposed to reminders that are similar to their experiences in the military. By recognizing what may provoke a PTSD reaction, you can help provide a safe space for your loved ones by minimizing stressors.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Assist veterans in incorporating a well-balanced diet, regular physical activity or exercise, and quality sleep into their daily routine to help regulate mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Sleep disturbances are common in PTSD, which is why a consistent sleeping pattern is essential to ensure optimal rest.
Establish a Strong Support Network
Family and close friends are usually the first ones veterans turn to for support. However, the effects of PTSD can lead to feelings of isolation. Studies show that limited social support is associated with more severe PTSD symptoms, worse impairment, and suicidal ideation. You can encourage them to talk to a friend who shares similar experiences of going through war or to join nearby support groups to feel included and have someone who empathizes with them, making recovery easier.
Don’t Forget About Yourself
Caring for a loved one with PTSD can be physically and mentally taxing. Remember to practice self-care to cope with the demands of being present for them. By maintaining emotional stability and physical health, you’ll be better positioned to provide the love and support they need.
Encourage Specialized Treatment
Veterans with PTSD may feel reluctant to get help because of the stigma and fear of being misunderstood. Encourage your loved ones and explain the importance of receiving the right treatment program that is necessary for PTSD recovery. The probability of veterans initiating mental healthcare for PTSD is greater when they believe they need help and when they are encouraged by friends and family to seek support.
Treatment Options
Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD. It empowers individuals to feel more in control of their body and mind by helping them identify and re-evaluate negative thought patterns and replace them with more effective ways of thinking.
Below are variations of CBT made to address PTSD:
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): This is centered on altering maladaptive thoughts.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE): Aimed at reducing anxiety and avoidance behavior.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR): Intends to reprocess traumatic memories more adaptively through guided eye movements. EDMR can also address underlying trauma that contributes to substance abuse.
Medications
Antidepressants can reduce PTSD symptoms, but they are often recommended along with therapy as a treatment plan to tackle the underlying causes of PTSD.
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), specifically Sertraline (Zoloft) and Paroxetine (Paxil), and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), specifically Venlafaxine (Effexor), are the types of antidepressants proven effective for PTSD. Make sure to consult your healthcare provider first before starting any medication to manage side effects and dosage.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment provides a safe and supportive environment where veterans with PTSD can focus entirely on their recovery. With a more immersive approach, this program offers around-the-clock supervision in a place free from PTSD triggers or any distractions.
Intensive Outpatient Program
An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers structured and flexible therapeutic support without requiring veterans to stay the night in a facility. This is ideal for those who need comprehensive care but still want to stay connected with their families, work, and community.
Problems Associated with PTSD
PTSD resulting from war-related trauma can profoundly affect veterans in different aspects of their lives. Studies have shown that PTSD is associated with poor physical health and higher rates of cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal issues, and chronic pain. PTSD symptoms such as irritability, hyperarousal, or negative thinking can also strain personal and social relationships, leading to emotional withdrawal or avoidance of others. Furthermore, many veterans struggle with addiction, and more than 1 in 10 develop substance use disorder because of harmful coping mechanisms. Other more common co-occurring disorders to watch out for in veterans with PTSD are anxiety and depressive disorders.
Reach Out For Help
If you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts of suicide, it’s critical to get help as soon as possible. You may call the Military Crisis Line at 988, or access their online chat by texting 838255.
If someone is struggling with PTSD symptoms and substance abuse, Luxe Recovery has a variety of treatment options proven to be beneficial in addressing both mental health conditions.
Military veterans don’t have to endure PTSD alone; services are available, and people are willing to help. If you see the signs, don’t hesitate to seek help and connect with your mental health provider. Recovery is a journey that begins the moment you reach out.
