The holidays can be especially difficult for our
Veterans & their families!
Veterans returning home this time of year will be overwhelmed by just the transition from being active military to being a Veteran. Trying to adjust to being back in the US and home takes time and usually it can make the Veteran want to be alone so they do not have to face the task of readjustment. There are many reasons a Veteran may withdraw from family members, as a family member you can be supportive and help the Veteran stay in the social setting by just being there to help and ensure them in time things will get back to normal. Remember to always be very patient, understanding, caring & loving. For more information on how to help your Veteran come home to peace of mind go to this link...
Veterans who suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) may have difficulty during the holidays as well. The holidays are full of gatherings from all over to going to many functions and having to be in a large group of people. PTSD sufferers usually have problems dealing with large groups of people, loud noises and socializing in general.
The new year can bring on extra stress in the way of it being the traditional time to change something in your life, New Years Resolutions - can cause anyone with social anxiety and PTSD to feel obligated to make a resolution while feeling they can never change how they feel or what they want to change the most being and that is to not suffer from the stresses that come with PTSD in the coming new year. As a family member of a Veteran with PTSD you can be of help during this time by just listening, understanding, caring and loving as you have been all along, just remember that now is harder than usual for the sufferer. For more information on how to support your Veteran with PTSD go to this link...
Vietnam Veterans are more vulnerable to a setback in the progress they have made since being diagnosed with PTSD during this time due to the fact that it has been 50 years since the war and more information has been published along with more Veterans realizing symptoms and are just now being diagnosed. Below is information for Vietnam Veterans with PTSD.
-- 15.2 percent of all male veterans (479,000 out of 3,140,000 who served in Vietnam) and 8.1 percent of women (610 out of 7,200) were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in a 1986-1988 study by the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Survey (NVVRS).
-- Almost half of all male Vietnam veterans suffering from PTSD had been arrested or in jail at least once, 34.2 percent more than once and 11.5 percent had been convicted of a felony, according to the same survey.
-- VA statistics in 2004 showed that 161,000 veterans were still receiving disability compensation for PTSD.
-- A major VA study found that about 31 percent of men and 27 percent of women had suffered from PTSD at some point after their return from Vietnam.
Regardless of what era your Veteran is from there is always the chance of PTSD becoming a part of their life and yours here are some of the signs & symptoms of PTSD....
If you think your Veteran may be suffering from PTSD or any kind of emotional crisis please get help today by calling the Veteran's Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to speak to someone for any reason at all anytime, day or night, seven days a week, 24 hours a day! Do not wait or hesitate, call now if you or someone you know is in crisis!
