Research shows that as many as one in five veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While this mental condition often plays a leading role in the high number of homeless and unemployed veterans, mental health resources for veterans are increasingly available. By taking advantage of these opportunities, veterans can get the help they need to empower themselves and find success, despite the trauma they have suffered. These following five tips provide key information on how veterans can cope with PTSD, enabling them to pursue their personal, educational, and career goals.
Recognizing the Signs
It is normal for veterans who have experienced trauma through combat or personal assault to have negative feelings and reactions. PTSD occurs when a person’s responses to trauma, such as anger or guilt, fail to subside. If you are feeling stuck in the constant cycle of reliving a traumatic event, you may be suffering form PTSD. In addition to re-experiencing trauma through flashbacks and nightmares, those suffering from PTSD tend to avoid places and activities that may trigger memories of a traumatic event. This avoidance is understandable, as triggered memories can lead to intense emotional distress, which frequently manifests in physical ways, such as sweating, nausea and a rapid heart rate. Veterans with PTSD may also turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to self-medicate.
Reconnecting with Educational and Career Goals
One of the most devastating symptoms of PTSD is the looming feeling of hopelessness. This is why it is important to reconnect with the goals you once had. While finding motivation to pursue your goals will be difficult, resources such as scholarships for veterans, vocational assistance programs, and career counseling are available to help you take this step. Veteran-friendly institutions will support you by transferring military experiences into college credit and assisting you with your transition into student life.
If you are service connected at 10 percent or higher for any disability through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you may also receive assistance through the Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program. This service offers comprehensive vocational evaluations to help determine your most valuable skills and assets. If you are not currently service connected through the VA, but are within one year of discharge from military service, you can receive free assistance through the Education and Career Counseling Program, by submitting VA Form 28-8832 to the VA Regional Office in your home state.
Finding the Best Treatment Option for You
PTSD treatment is available through VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) across the country. If you honorably completed active-duty service or were in the Reserves or National Guard and completed a deployment to a combat zone, you are eligible for PTSD treatment through a VAMC. If you received an honorable discharge, the VA may still grant you the right to medical treatment or you may request a character of discharge upgrade through the Department of Defense.
The VAMC will provide you with a one-on-one mental health assessment, and from there, you and your counselor can decide the best treatment option for you. Group therapy may be something that fits your needs, or perhaps individual counseling is the better option for you. Whatever you choose, the VA has resources available to give you the treatment you need. Research also shows that unconventional treatment, such as exercise, participating in activities you enjoy, being outdoors, or adopting a dog, can bring relief from PTSD symptoms and help you return to a feeling of normalcy.
Joining a Support Group
Participating in a support group with other veterans who have been through similar trauma can serve as a great supplement to your PTSD treatment program. Connecting with those who can relate to what you are experiencing is a way to meet new people and to feel less alone in your struggles. You may also learn new ideas of coping with daily stresses and triggers from people who have been in your shoes. You can search for support groups in your area, or if you feel that you are in need of immediate assistance, you can call the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, extension 1).
Opportunities for Helping Other Veterans
Another great way to recover from your traumatic experiences is to help other veterans through volunteering or starting your own veterans outreach organization. Focusing your energy on helping others can reduce anxiety and give you a renewed sense of purpose. Consider starting a program that will educate the community on PTSD or a veteran’s organization that will offer classes on how to cope with trauma. By helping other veterans, you can empower your life while giving other veterans the tools to improve their own.
Living with PTSD can be overwhelming, lonely and a significant roadblock for veterans who have suffered trauma. Fortunately, through treatment, goal setting and reaching out, veterans with PTSD can overcome the trauma they have faced and lead fulfilling lives.
About the Author:
Mary Winter is a contributing writer and has worked with veteran PTSD patients for the past 15 years.
Image by The U.S. Army from Flickr.com
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