Coping with PTSD
As a combat veteran, you have lived
through events that most people can’t understand. You and your friends were in danger.
Life
in the war zone was very different from life at home. Your daily routine could be
interrupted by intensely stressful and chaotic events. In fact, you’ve likely been
in or
seen life-threatening situations. And you had to hide your feelings and reactions
to
stress. Now you’re home. Even though you’re safe, something’s not right. You’re having
nightmares. Or unwanted memories of combat are popping into your head unexpectedly,
sometimes triggered by a sound or smell. You may feel anxious, angry, scared, guilty,
or
isolated. And the feelings won’t go away. These are signs of posttraumatic stress
disorder
(PTSD).
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a state of heightened fear
and anxiety. It develops after a traumatic, life-threatening event. It’s normal to
react
to danger with fear and anxiety. But these feelings should fade after the danger has
passed. With PTSD, your body and mind have trouble recovering from the trauma. The
feeling that you’re in danger can remain for months or even years. Military combat
is a
common cause of PTSD.
How does PTSD feel?
Symptoms of PTSD last more than a
month. They may include:
-
Unwanted or intense memories
of a trauma
-
Nightmares
-
Vivid memories (flashbacks)
that make you feel like you’re reliving the event
-
Feeling worried, fearful,
anxious, or suspicious
-
Strong reactions when you’re
reminded of the trauma (or sometimes for no obvious reason at all)
-
Intrusive thoughts about
combat, death, or killing
-
Feeling disconnected or
isolated, as if you’re “not yourself”
-
Loss of interest in things
you once enjoyed
-
Feeling agitated, tense, on
edge, or easily startled
-
Bursts of anger or
irritation
-
Problems concentrating
-
Trouble falling or staying
asleep
What are triggers?
With PTSD, things that remind you
of the traumatic event can make you feel as if you’re in danger again. These reminders
are called triggers. They bring back memories, emotions, and physical reactions related
to the trauma. In some cases, a trigger is obvious. The sound of thunder may recall
gunfire. Or you may see debris on the side of the road and suddenly flash to a roadside
bomb. Other times, the link is less clear. For example, a trigger could be the taste
or
smell of food that was common where you were deployed. Or hearing a voice that sounds
like someone you served with can trigger memories. Triggers can even appear in your
dreams, causing you to react while you’re asleep.
PTSD can interfere with your life
Though you’re safe now, PTSD can
make you feel as if you’re in danger. When your brain senses danger, your body acts
before you have time to think. When you encounter a trigger, you may suddenly become
angry or afraid. Your body is flooded with anxiety and adrenaline. You may react
extremely quickly. You may not even remember the trigger. This can lead to outbursts
and
behaviors that seem to have come “out of the blue.” When you have PTSD, you may:
-
Stay away from triggers such
as people, places, and things that remind you of the trauma.
-
React strongly to reminders
of the trauma (such as TV news reports about war or conversations with others in
the military).
-
Constantly scan your
surroundings for signs of danger.
-
Put yourself at risk with
sudden reactions to a perceived threat (such as veering to avoid an overpass while
driving).
-
Abuse alcohol or drugs so you
don't think about the trauma (self-medicating).
-
Change your routine to stay
away from triggers.
Treatment will help you get your life
back
You may think that asking for help
is a sign of weakness. In fact, taking action to make your life better takes a lot
of
courage. Talking about a trauma can be hard, but it can make a big difference. The
main
treatment for PTSD is counseling. You’ll work with a trained professional (therapist)
to
learn new ways to cope with your experiences. Medicine may also be prescribed to help
with anxiety, depression, or sleep. Most people with PTSD benefit from a combination
of
counseling and medicine.
Types of counseling
Counseling is done in a safe
environment, either one-on-one or in a group. Group therapy is often done with other
Vets who have been through combat. PTSD is often treated with one or more of the
following forms of counseling. Talk to your healthcare provider about your options
so
you can decide on a counseling format that works for you.
-
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) helps you cope with
negative thoughts related to the trauma. You’ll work with a therapist to better
understand how you think and feel about what happened. And you’ll learn skills to
help you cope better with the trauma. CPT won’t make you forget about what
happened. But it can make the memories easier to live with.
-
Prolonged exposure therapy (PE) helps you deal with
thoughts and situations related to the trauma in new ways. You’ll learn breathing
and relaxation techniques to calm yourself when you encounter triggers. With your
therapist’s help, you may enter situations that remind you of the trauma (in vivo
exposure). You’ll learn to lessen your reactions over time, which can help with
avoidance. You’ll also talk about the trauma to help you gain control over how you
think and feel about it (imaginal exposure).
-
Other therapies for PTSD include:
What lies ahead
In combat, you’ve been through
significant, life-changing events. These will likely affect you to some degree for
the
rest of your life. Even so, getting help is a big step in the right direction. Treatment
will be tough, and healing takes time. Be patient with yourself. Though many people
can’t relate to your time in combat, you don’t have to face PTSD alone. Accept help
and
support from your family, friends, and healthcare providers. And stay connected with
friends from the military. There are likely more people who can understand what you’ve
been through than you think.
To learn more
For more information and resources, contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255
or
online at
www.veteranscrisisline.net. You can also text 838255 for support. You don't
have be enrolled in VA benefits or healthcare to connect to this support.
If you’re thinking about hurting yourself
Ask for help now. There are many ways to ease your pain and manage
the problems in your life. Talk to your healthcare provider, your Veterans
Administration (VA) suicide prevention coordinator, or a friend or family member right
away. Don't wait.
If you have a plan or are thinking of harming yourself, call
800-273-8255 and press 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line. Or text 838255 from
your mobile phone. You will be connected to trained crisis counselors who will help
you.
An online chat option is also available at
www.veteranscrisisline.net. The Veterans Crisis Line is free and available
24/7. You can also call or text
988 to
be connected to crisis counselors at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.