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Home, All Veterans!Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a troubling disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as military combat, violent personal assaults like rape, physical or sexual abuse, serious accidents, or natural disasters.
People who suffer from PTSD often re-experience the experience through intrusive thoughts of, or flashbacks to, the event, or through nightmares. They may have difficulty sleeping, relating to others in their family or at work, or even holding a job, and these symptoms can be severe enough--and last long enough--to cause significant problems in the person's daily life.
The actual survivors of the original trauma are not the only ones who are affected. Frequently, their actions affect their spouse or children, and create another type of PTSD (Secondary PTSD) in their family circle.
Many people have PTSD and don’t realize it, or they exhibit or feel the symptoms without knowing what to call it. The symptoms may differ from person to person, so how can you recognize PTSD? Sometimes an individual will appear depressed or withdrawn. They may view life’s experiences through a negative light and express dissatisfaction with nearly everything and everyone around them. These people may lose interest in things that they previously enjoyed and avoid contact with others. Others with PTSD may seem angry all the time, fly into a rage and blame their inappropriate actions on others (“You made me do it….”). Some exhibit short term memory loss. They may try to numb their pain with alcohol or drugs. Sleeplessness, hypervigilence, and trying to control every detail of every situation may also be signs that someone is suffering from PTSD.
Many times, a person has sought help for one or more symptoms of PTSD, without ever identifying, or addressing, the underlying problem. Sometimes, it is just too painful to go into with other people. However, it is only through open acknowledgement and sharing with others that the situation will ever improve.
Many trauma survivors are in denial about their condition and/or refuse help, but family or friends may still need assistance. Trauma Survivors, Family, & Friends (TSFF) is an organization that can provide support to those who are seeking information or help with PTSD. Many people who might benefit from this type of support initially reject this idea with the thought, “My problems aren’t as severe as others….it is them—not me—who need that kind of help.” However, TSFF offers support to everyone according to their individual needs.
To learn more about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or the Trauma Survivors, Family, & Friends group, call (254) 747-2140. Help may be just a phone call away. More information may also be found on the Internet at http://www.VetsHelpingVets.org.
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