THE LONGEST BATTLE


WHAT IS PTSD?


It’s normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge or have trouble sleeping after a traumatic event. At first, it may be hard to do normal daily activities, like go to work, go to school or spend time with people you care about. But most people start to feel better after a few weeks or months.


If it’s been longer than a few months and you’re still having symptoms, you may have PTSD. For some people, PTSD symptoms may start later on, or they may come and go over time.


• Avoidance is a common reaction to trauma. When it is extreme, or when it’s the main way you cope, it can interfere with your emotional recovery and healing.


• Trauma reminders: Anniversaries—On the anniversary of a traumatic event, some survivors have an increase in distress. Reactions can range from feeling mildly upset for a couple of days to more severe mental health or medical symptoms.


• Trauma reminders: Triggers—People respond to traumatic events with feelings of concern, anger, fear or helplessness. Those who have experienced trauma, loss or hardship in the past may be more likely than others to be affected by new, potentially traumatic events.


• Aging veterans and post-traumatic stress symptoms—For many veterans, memories of their wartime experiences can still be upsetting long after they served in combat.


• History of PTSD in veterans: Civil War to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)—PTSD became a diagnosis with influence from a number of social movements. Research about veterans returning from combat was a critical piece to the creation of the diagnosis, so the history of what is now known as PTSD often references combat history.


Experiencing symptoms of PTSD? To take an assessment, go to: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ assessment/adult-sr/ptsd-checklist.asp


Treatment for PTSD works. To find a therapist, counselor or other mental health provider who can help with your recovery, go to: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/find_therapist.asp


Veterans have unique options for PTSD treatment and other mental health needs. To learn about treat- ment programs in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Vet Centers and VA benefits and claims, go to: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/help_for_veterans.asp


If you are in crisis, there are options. Go to: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/crisis_help.asp


• Call 911 if you need police, fire or emergency medical assistance. • Call 988 if you need to speak to a trained crisis counselor who can help with mental health-related distress. You can also text 988 or chat online with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call if you are concerned about someone else.


• If you are a veteran or are concerned about one, call 988, then press "1" to speak with a responder qualified to support veterans. You can also text 838255 or chat online with the Veterans Crisis Line.


• Go to the nearest emergency room for immediate medical attention. —U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs


118


Army AL&T Magazine


Spring 2023


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