When the term “PTSD” is mentioned, it can refer to various traumatic origins. However, the very first recorded case, originally called “shell shock,” happened due to the effects of World War I. These records included patients with the same symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder as we know it today.

Since those first documented cases, we’ve seen countless others return from war with mental health disorders, making trauma treatment for veterans a regular part of therapy. The stressors and experiences service members face while in combat can be enough trauma to impact them permanently.

PTSD and other trauma-related disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are common in veterans. But when an individual suffers from PTSD, it often changes their lives — and those of their loved ones — forever.

1.Understanding Trauma

Avoiding trauma forever is extremely difficult. It shows up in car accidents, natural disasters, sexual assault, and other unexpected circumstances. For military members faced with combat, trauma often ensues.

But to understand the trauma veterans deal with, you must realize that it occurs due to both physical and mental experiences. For instance, a soldier may lose an arm or a leg while in combat, and this will affect them for the rest of their lives. Yet, mental trauma, such as that one goes through when someone close to them dies in battle or if one must kill an enemy in the line of duty, can be just as painful.

Not every incident results in PTSD, and it’s nearly impossible to predict when an incident will affect someone to that degree. Factors like the severity of the trauma, the person’s reaction to the situation, and whether anyone was injured or died play a large role. The more traumatic events a person faces, the more likely they are to develop PTSD, but having a strong support system can reduce the symptoms and length of the condition.

2.Symptoms of PTSD

One reason why PTSD in veterans can change their whole lives is that the symptoms are often debilitating and unexpected. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a person to think they’re fine and then experience delayed onset years later.

The symptoms of PTSD vary by the individual. Sometimes, these last years, and in other cases, never go away permanently.

Veterans of war often experience symptoms like:

● Unwanted memories that can intrude at any time, including flashbacks and nightmares,

● Distress due to sights, smells, and sounds that trigger a memory,

● Irritability, anger, guilt, insomnia, hypervigilance, and sensitivity,

● Depression, nightmares, and/or anger near the anniversary of a traumatic event,

● Negativity and hopelessness,

● Memory issues,

● Avoidance as a coping mechanism.

These symptoms can affect the individual’s ability to have close relationships, take care of themselves, and even hold a job.

3. Survivor’s Guilt

In addition to the ongoing symptoms that rear their head unexpectedly, many veterans experience survivor’s guilt when they make it home safely. Even when they’ve been injured, knowing that they survived and their friends and brothers and sisters in arms did not is enough to bring on guilt.

When you’re in the military, you learn a deep sense of family and responsibility for each other. These strong bonds don’t go away after the war is over. Survivor’s Guilt can manifest physically and psychologically, and it can impact how an individual handles other relationships.

The trauma veterans experience in combat extends to their family members and can produce generational behaviors and habits. Although these tough military personnel rarely like to ask for help, seeking professional assistance after returning from war can mean the difference between healthy relationships and fruitful lives and ongoing PTSD and Survivor’s Guilt.