Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD Fact Sheet

What Is Post traumatic Stress Disorder?

After a trauma or life threatening event it is common to have upsetting memories of what happened, to have trouble sleeping, to feel jumpy, or to lose interest in things you used to enjoy.  For some people these reactions do not go away on their own, or may even get worse over time. These people may have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Read more about PTSD below.  

What Causes PTSD?

As the name implies, PTSD is caused by trauma. During war, taking part in and/or witnessing the brutal and violent acts of battle. However, PTSD can also be brought on by non-combat acts of brutality or violence toward combatants or civilians. There are many PTSD vets who have never been aggressive towards others, but who may suffer feelings of profound guilt by mere association with such acts of violence. In any case, PTSD is clearly triggered by violence in warfare.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of PTSD?

Re-experiencing traumatic events (obsessive recollections, flashbacks or intrusive thoughts, nightmares), avoidant symptoms (fear of being with people), signs of hyper arousal (easily startled, irritable), avoiding experiences or people that trigger memories of such event(s), increased arousal, to include nervousness, over-reaction to sudden noises, difficulty sleeping (night sweats), and nightmares, bouts of rage and/or depression, difficulty relating emotionally to others, feelings of extreme alienation and meaninglessness, isolation from others, in extreme cases, persistent thoughts of murder and-or suicide. Symptoms can take months or even years to develop.

What Do I Do If I Think a loved one has PTSD?

PTSD is difficult to recognize, because soldiers are socialized to believe that admitting to feeling bad is weak and that seeking professional help is often viewed negatively and discouraged by the Chain of Command.  The best thing you can do is encourage your loved one the to get the care they deserve and improve their quality of life even if there is “peer pressure” not to.  Seek out help from a trained mental health professional.  You can do this on your installation or through the VA if your loved one is not on active duty.  If you  loved one is diagnosed, you or your loved one should immediately call 1-800-827-1000, and ask to be connected to the Veterans Administration Regional Office. Once connected, ask for instructions on how to apply for services related to PTSD.  Do NOT take no for an answer. Depending on the VA facility, or individual VA employee, your loved one may be discouraged from filing a claim.  Even if they tell you that your loved one is  not entitled, demand the application paperwork and make sure it's filed.

What Is The Treatment For PTSD?

There are many diffrent treatment opptions for PTSD please see the list below to begin looking into the options availible to your family.

RESOURCES FOR ACTIVE DUTY TROOPS AND GUARD AND RESERVE

Military OneSource:  www.militaryonesource.com

Provides information on Tricare and in Military Mental Health Services.

After Deployment Services: www.afterdeployment.org

Links to, information on PTSD

Free counseling services/assistance for Service Members, Veterans and Families within communities. Not associated with the Military.

Give an Hour:  www.giveanhour.org  (nationwide)

Soldier’s Project:  www.thesoldiersproject.org/ (available in some areas – see website)

Suicide Prevention Hotline (national) 800-273- TALK www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org (This resource can be used by military families as well)

Legal Issues

GI Rights Hotline:  www.girights.org (800) 394-9544 within US use website for other numbers

RESOURCES FOR VETERANS

Veterans Administration http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf

    Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of Americahttp://www.iava.org/     

Community of Veterans http://www.communityofveterans.org/

    PTSD Support http://www.ptsdsupport.net/active_duty1.ht

    Health Initiative  http://vaww.sites.lrn.va.gov/vhi (available through VA intranet only).

    National Center for PTSD http://www.ncptsd.org/topics/health.html

    National Institute for Mental Health information on PTSD:
 http://www.nimh.nih.gov/anxiety/ptsdmenu.cfm

    Legal help for Veterans

http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/?gclid=COTEgKXBopcCFROU7QodgEa-9g