How to Recognize and Help a Veteran Experiencing PTSD Triggers

About 11-20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans reported about the PTSD symptoms yearly and that a large population of these veterans would be experiencing PTSD. For these veterans, reintegration into society is a problem since PTSD post-9/11 means exposure to stimuli which will catapult a veteran back to the battle-front through flashbacks, immense psychological discomfort and in extreme cases, panic. Knowing what type of behavior is typical for a person with PTSD and how to help him or her during these episodes can be very helpful for improving the quality of life of military personnel. And one such effort is being done by Warrior Sprit Band for the sake of our warrior’s safety and long life. 

PTSD: An Overview and Its Effects on Armed Force Personnel

PTSD refers to a mental health disorder that develops due to exposure to traumatic event. In order to post-traumatically traumatized veterants, aversiveness is derived from combat experience, scene of death or injury incidents, and life threatening situations. Common symptoms of PTSD are brief but sudden reliving of the trauma, avoidance of anything that reminds one of the grim experience, constriction of emotions, and exaggerated startle response.

Only for many veterans with PTSD life can be a challenge to continue and rebuild, become able to sustain healthy relationships or work regularly. PTSD can result in physiological changes as well as emotional; patients suffer from sleep disorders, headaches and other physical ailments, and a compromised immune system. To partner with our veterans effectively, we have to learn about PTSD and its impact on them.

PTSD Triggers for Veterans

PTSD symptoms are stimuli which recall the actual traumatic event, and this triggers a pathological emotional response. Triggers vary widely but commonly include:

– Loud Noises: Therefore, loud sounds such as explosion or fire works, clap or bang which triggers feelings or gunning down or bombings provoke the Iraq vets.

– Crowded Spaces: Some veterans cannot stand places with crowds, possibly because the idea resembles to them combat zones or an unpredictable environment.

– Specific Smells: Hazardous fumes, smell of burning fuel or smoke, certain food items are especially used to remind of the zones or events that led to emotional trauma.

– News Coverage of Conflicts: Watchers of war or violent confrontation often find themselves reminded of their time in the military.

– Physical Environments: Some environments or lighting or even season like the ones found in the deployment regions can also spur PTSD recentment.

 Ptsd Triggers In Veterans: Learning How To Identify The Early Signs

Thus, signal feelings of distress through ptsd stimuli could not communicate from veterans experiencing discomfort of their state in a direct manner. But there are somatic and motor symptoms that may signal the presence of conditioned activity in an organism. Some of the most common signs include:

1. Increased Anxiety or Hypervigilance: It may cause a veteran to become hyper-aware, or even paranoid, to certain sounds, smells and environments because their brain is basically going into emergency mode.

2. Avoidance Behavior: PTSD may cause the veterans to try to avoid persons, places, things or situations that remind them of the trauma. For example, they might avoid social activities, or certain programs or movies and videos on television.

3. Emotional Detachment: A feeling of being emotionally drained or as if the veteran is not really present will manifest, conscious mechanism to avoid feeling overwhelmed, when a veteran comes across a stimulus that reminds him or her of a prior traumatic experience.

4. Physical Symptoms: Vestibular symptoms such as increased perspiration, shaking, tachycardia, or hyperventilation might suggest a veteran is struggling with a PTSD precipitate.

How To Provide Support 

There are several ways to provide immediate and long-term support:

1. Don’t Panic

It might be counterintuitive, but being calm and reminding your child this is normal can be helpful. Remind the veteran that he is protected now, and that you are with him to help him. That is why it is advisable to stick to calm simple phrases such as “You are safe,’ or ‘I am here’’… The best thing to do when dealing with them is to kindly advise them to lower their voice and avoid sudden movements which make them more anxious.

2. Respect Personal Space

If a veteran is developing a triggered response then they may require physical distance to make them feel safe. This is, allow them space and should not make any move that may seem to encroach their privacy. If the veteran wants physical closeness or touch, or a hug, pat on the back or some comforting gesture, do not shy away from it but, do not offer it first.

3. Use Grounding Techniques

Safety strategies are coping mechanisms designed to assist another person to come back to reality. Direct the veteran to pay attention to what is taking place around him/her and experience the physical environment. For instance, you may teach them to count to ten or grasp an object by the hand or take some deep breaths, tell them where they are, and what they can see around them. Measures, such as the ‘5-4-3-2-1’ grounding exercise (focusing on five things they can see, four things they can touch, three things they can hear, two things they can smell, and one thing they can taste) can especially work wonders to get through a flashback or an anxiety attack.

Conclusion

Surviving a PTSD trigger as a veteran calls for compassion and tolerance from the other spouse. Watching for the symptoms of PTSD and knowing what to do when they are seen can be very helpful to those who would like to be supportive to the warriors they know. Being a supportive figure without allowing the veteran to aggravate their triggers, and using activities such a affirmation, music like Warrior Sprit Band and seeking professional help as well as having an environment that constantly assures the social well being of a veteran, majorly assist in the healing process.

PTSD is very lonely but the worst thing about it is none of them should going through this alone. If given the right help and appreciation even friends, relatives and caretakers can play a major role in a veteran’s life bringing back the much deserves normalcy in his life. As you can see, every little action peoples do within communities can mean a lot to each other.