For many military personnel the fighting does not end in the combat zone. Many returning service members face increased anxiety, sleepless nights and rapid flashbacks that can immediately take them back to the combat field.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder often develops after a soldier witnesses or experiences a traumatic event. A recent study of the mental health of troops who fought in OIF/OEF showed that about one in five combat veterans reported symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The survey also found that less than half of those with help sought help mostly out of fear of being stigmatized or of fear of hurting their future careers.

What is PTSD?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is defined as: “An anxiety triggered by an extreme traumatic stressor involving directly personal experience of an event.”

The soldier’s response to the event involves intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Symptoms include persistent re-experiencing of the traumatic event in the form of vivid memories, thoughts and dreams. PTSD is essentially a problem of delayed recovery form the experience of a traumatic situation that a person has reacted to with feelings of extreme fear, horror or helplessness.

PTSD is a response by normal people to an abnormal situation. Following a traumatic event, almost everyone experiences some symptoms of PTSD. We, at Challenge Aspen, work with many OIF and OEF combat warriors with PTSD and have witnessed all of the symptoms listed below. It is imperative to get to know and understand the person as an individual and not to label them. 

Symptoms of PTSD include:

-Nightmares
-Depression and hopelessness
-Difficulty concentrating
-Heightened anxiety
-Hyper vigilance
-Social alienation
-Substance abuse
-Feelings of mistrust and betrayal
-Suicidal thoughts and feelings
-Headaches, stomach problems, chest pain
-Guilt, shame or self blame
-Heightened sense of danger
-Emotional withdrawal
-Anger and irritability
-Fearful, Disconnected and numb
-Vivid Memories and Flashbacks
-Intense Physical reaction (pounding heart, nausea, muscle tension)

The symptoms of PTSD can arise suddenly, gradually or may come and go over time. It is imperative to get help. The sooner PTSD is addressed, the easier it is to overcome. Avoidance will ultimately harm relationships and quality of life.