June is National PTSD Awareness Month in the United States. And this month, our team at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates is focused on raising awareness about PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and its effects on those who have experienced trauma.
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While it can affect anyone, it’s particularly common in military veterans who experienced combat.
The symptoms of PTSD can be debilitating, but treatment can help. We specialize in telehealth services for PTSD, and our team is dedicated to helping you get the care you need.
Here are five of the most common PTSD symptoms that military veterans may experience and how treatment can make a difference.
One of the most common symptoms of PTSD is intrusive thoughts. Intrusive thoughts are sudden, involuntary, and unwanted recall of a traumatic event.
Intrusive thoughts can happen at any time. They’re often distressing, and they can interfere with your ability to function in everyday life. For military veterans, these unwanted thoughts may be triggered by loud noises, certain smells, or certain situations that remind them of their time in combat.
Another common symptom of PTSD in veterans is avoidance. You may go to great lengths to avoid certain places, people, or activities that remind you of your time in the military.
Avoidance can also include refusal to discuss the event or thoughts related to it. This symptom can be particularly harmful because it can keep you from seeking treatment, socializing, or participating in activities you once enjoyed.
Hyperarousal is a state of constant alertness or feeling on edge, and it’s a common symptom of PTSD in veterans. Hyperarousal makes it difficult or impossible to relax, sleep, or concentrate — and it can quickly interfere with your daily life.
Hyperarousal can also make you startle easily or have an exaggerated startle response. Physical symptoms often include sweating, rapid heart rate, and shallow breathing.
PTSD can also cause persistent negative thoughts that are hard to shake. You may experience feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness.
For military veterans in particular, these negative thoughts can also include a sense of betrayal or a loss of trust in others. Regularly experiencing negative thoughts from PTSD can lead to other mental health issues, like depression and anxiety.
Last but not least, many veterans with PTSD experience emotional numbing. This symptom makes you avoid all emotions, including positive ones.
Emotional numbing can manifest as a lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy or a feeling of being disconnected from others. Unfortunately, emotional numbing can have serious consequences, like difficulty feeling pleasure or forming meaningful relationships with others.
PTSD is a serious condition, and the symptoms have the power to destroy your quality of life. The good news? Treatment for PTSD works.
Our team at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates takes a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating PTSD in military veterans. We use talk therapy to help you learn about PTSD and develop coping mechanisms to improve your everyday life.
Depending on your situation, we may also recommend additional treatment like medication, exposure therapy, lifestyle changes, and finding a support group.
PTSD is common, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. If you or a loved one is struggling with the symptoms of PTSD, it’s time to reach out for help. Contact Boston Neurobehavioral Associates to learn more and set up your first appointment.
