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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryMilitary PTSD in Veterans: Signs, Treatment, & More
Table of Contents:OverviewSigns of Military PTSD in VeteransCauses and Risk Factors of PTSD in VeteransWhat Triggers Military PTSD in Veterans?PTSD Treatment Options for VeteransGet Professional Help for Military Vets with Talkspace
PTSDRead Time: 5 Minutes
Published On: November 27, 2022
Reviewed On: November 27, 2022
Updated On: August 19, 2024
OverviewUpdated 1/26/2023Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) is a mental health condition that can potentially occur after witnessing or going through a severely traumatic event or events. Military PTSD is a form of PTSD that many combat veterans develop after returning home. While PTSD in veterans can cause many distressing mental and physical symptoms, including anxiety and flashbacks, there are ways to cope with these symptoms and get the help you need. Read on to learn more about traumatic stress treatment options, and find help withveterans therapy.
Overview
Updated 1/26/2023
Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) is a mental health condition that can potentially occur after witnessing or going through a severely traumatic event or events. Military PTSD is a form of PTSD that many combat veterans develop after returning home. While PTSD in veterans can cause many distressing mental and physical symptoms, including anxiety and flashbacks, there are ways to cope with these symptoms and get the help you need. Read on to learn more about traumatic stress treatment options, and find help withveterans therapy.
Signs of Military PTSD in VeteransSymptoms of PTSDdon’t always occur in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. Many military personnel don’t experience symptoms until months or years after returning to civilian life, making signs of PTSD challenging to recognize.
Signs of Military PTSD in Veterans
Symptoms of PTSDdon’t always occur in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. Many military personnel don’t experience symptoms until months or years after returning to civilian life, making signs of PTSD challenging to recognize.
Expert Insight
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), BCD, C-DBTAshley Ertel
While not everyone with PTSD has the same symptoms, this is what each category of symptoms may look like:Intrusive memories:People with PTSD often experience recurring reminders of their traumatic experiences. This can include flashbacks, nightmares, and distressing thoughts.Hyperarousal:When we’re in danger or stress, our bodies go into a state of high alert. PTSD can cause someone to feel this way all the time. It can lead to jumpiness, irritability, reckless behavior, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.Negative changes in feelings or beliefs:Traumatic experiences can make it harder for people to feel positive emotions. It can cause some people to see themselves or the world negatively.Avoidance:It can be difficult for people with PTSD to cope with the memories of their trauma, which can lead them to avoid places or situations that remind them of the event. This can lead to social withdrawal.The Vet Centercan provide support if you or a loved one is struggling with military PTSD symptoms. These counseling centers are located throughout the US and offer free and confidential therapeutic services to military veterans and active duty members with PTSD. Counselors and staff can also connect you with support services and assist with updating VA disability claims to reflect a PTSD diagnosis.
While not everyone with PTSD has the same symptoms, this is what each category of symptoms may look like:
The Vet Centercan provide support if you or a loved one is struggling with military PTSD symptoms. These counseling centers are located throughout the US and offer free and confidential therapeutic services to military veterans and active duty members with PTSD. Counselors and staff can also connect you with support services and assist with updating VA disability claims to reflect a PTSD diagnosis.
Causes and Risk Factors of PTSD in Veterans
Research does show that several factors make veterans more likely to develop symptoms of PTSD. Combat exposuresignificantly increases risk, and it can also increase the severity of PTSD symptoms. People with co-occurring mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are alsoat increased riskfor PTSD.
While PTSD can cause sleep disturbances, many people report difficulty sleeping before the onset of their symptoms. One study found that veterans whoreported nightmaresbefore deployment were more likely to develop PTSD after seeing combat. A lack of social support after a traumatic experiencecan also contributeto symptoms.
How common is military PTSD in veterans?
In 2017, the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in California surveyed more than 5,826 veterans. The survey found that12.9%of participants had been diagnosed with PTSD. This is significantly higher than the rate in the general population, which is6%.
Some studies show even higher rates of PTSD in veterans. For example, The National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study found that15% of veteranshad been diagnosed with PTSD. Veterans without a diagnosis may also report symptoms, such as flashbacks or hypervigilance.
What Triggers Military PTSD in Veterans?People with military PTSD may experience anxiety, flashbacks, or other adverse reactions after exposure to something that reminds them of their trauma. Identifying these triggers can make it easier to manage symptoms and practice mental health care.
What Triggers Military PTSD in Veterans?
People with military PTSD may experience anxiety, flashbacks, or other adverse reactions after exposure to something that reminds them of their trauma. Identifying these triggers can make it easier to manage symptoms and practice mental health care.
Loud noises
Fireworks, the sound of a car backfiring, and other loud noises can all trigger PTSD symptoms. Certain sounds may remind veterans of noises related to their trauma, such as gunfire or explosions.
Media
Physical touch
Many people with post-traumatic stress react intensely to physical touch, especially if the contact is unexpected or unwanted. Not only can touch be startling, but it can be a reminder of a traumatic event.
Scents
Scents cantrigger vivid memoriesand strong emotions. It’s common for smells like burning rubber, gasoline, and smoke to cause distress in veterans.
Large crowds
PTSD Treatment Options for Veterans
Medication
Our brains have a built-in alarm system intended to protect us from danger.PTSD can alterthe structure and function of the brain, making it difficult to distinguish between past threats and what’s happening in the present. Certain medications can change how the brain responds to fear, easing PTSD symptoms.
Currently, the FDA has approved the use of twomedications for PTSD:sertraline and paroxetine. While these medications are typically used as a first-line treatment, there are times when other medications might be recommended.
Therapy
While it can be difficult to find a therapist or make time for appointments,online therapycan make help far more accessible. Talkspace can connect you with mental health professionals who have experience working with veterans.
Natural remedies
In addition to medication and therapy, many natural remedies can help you cope with the symptoms of PTSD. For example, meditation and breathing exercises can increase calm feelings while decreasing stress. Healthy practices, such as a consistent sleep schedule, a nutritious diet, and regular exercise, can positively impact mental health. In addition to these natural remedies, alternative treatments such as service dog training programs have been found to be statistically significant for veterans with PTSD.
Get Professional Help for Military Vets with Talkspace
Whether you recently returned from deployment or you’ve been struggling with military PTSD symptoms for years, therapy can help. With the help of an experienced therapist, you can identify triggers and find ways to cope with your symptoms. If you know someone experiencing PTSD from the military, you can learnhow to help veterans with PTSDthrough Talkspace.
See ReferencesVet Centers (Readjustment Counseling)U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs. Accessed October 22, 2022.Traumatic stress disorder fact sheetSidran Institute. Accessed October 22, 2022.PTSD in U.S. Veterans: The Role of Social Connectedness, Combat Experience and DischargeKintzle, Sara et al. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 6,3 102. 22 Aug. 2018, doi:10.3390/healthcare6030102. Accessed October 22, 2022.Comorbidity of psychiatric disorders and posttraumatic stress disorderBrady, K T et al. The Journal of clinical psychiatry vol. 61 Suppl 7 (2000): 22-32. Accessed October 22, 2022.Impact of impaired sleep on the development of PTSD symptoms in combat veterans: a prospective longitudinal cohort studyvan Liempt, Saskia et al. Depression and anxiety vol. 30,5 (2013): 469-74. doi:10.1002/da.22054. Accessed October 22, 2022.Social bonds and posttraumatic stress disorderCharuvastra, Anthony, and Marylene Cloitre. Annual review of psychology vol. 59 (2008): 301-28. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085650. Accessed October 22, 2022.Risk factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in US veterans: A cohort studyMüller, Jan et al. PloS one vol. 12,7 e0181647. 25 Jul. 2017, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181647. Accessed October 22, 2022.How Common Is PTSD in Adults?PTSD: National Center for PTSD. Published August 29, 2022. Accessed October 22, 2022.Retraining reactions to smells: Military suicide research consortiumAccessed October 22, 2022.Real-time fMRI neurofeedback training of the amygdala activity with simultaneous EEG in veterans with combat-related PTSDZotev, Vadim et al. NeuroImage. Clinical vol. 19 106-121. 8 Apr. 2018, doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2018.04.010. Accessed October 22, 2022.Medications for PTSDAmerican Psychological Association. Published July 31, 2017. Accessed October 22, 2022.Treating PTSD: A Review of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy InterventionsWatkins, Laura E et al. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience vol. 12 258. 2 Nov. 2018, doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258. Accessed October 22, 2022.
See References
U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs. Accessed October 22, 2022.
Sidran Institute. Accessed October 22, 2022.
Kintzle, Sara et al. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 6,3 102. 22 Aug. 2018, doi:10.3390/healthcare6030102. Accessed October 22, 2022.
Brady, K T et al. The Journal of clinical psychiatry vol. 61 Suppl 7 (2000): 22-32. Accessed October 22, 2022.
van Liempt, Saskia et al. Depression and anxiety vol. 30,5 (2013): 469-74. doi:10.1002/da.22054. Accessed October 22, 2022.
Charuvastra, Anthony, and Marylene Cloitre. Annual review of psychology vol. 59 (2008): 301-28. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085650. Accessed October 22, 2022.
Müller, Jan et al. PloS one vol. 12,7 e0181647. 25 Jul. 2017, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181647. Accessed October 22, 2022.
PTSD: National Center for PTSD. Published August 29, 2022. Accessed October 22, 2022.
Accessed October 22, 2022.
Zotev, Vadim et al. NeuroImage. Clinical vol. 19 106-121. 8 Apr. 2018, doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2018.04.010. Accessed October 22, 2022.
American Psychological Association. Published July 31, 2017. Accessed October 22, 2022.
Watkins, Laura E et al. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience vol. 12 258. 2 Nov. 2018, doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258. Accessed October 22, 2022.
Ashley ErtelAshley Ertel, LCSW, is a Nationally Board Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has over a decade of experience specializing in trauma and depression, working primarily with first responders, military personnel, and veterans, and sexual assault survivors.
Ashley Ertel, LCSW, is a Nationally Board Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has over a decade of experience specializing in trauma and depression, working primarily with first responders, military personnel, and veterans, and sexual assault survivors.
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