What Are the 5 Leading PTSD Effects on War Veterans and Their Families?

If you have served in the military, you understand how highly your fellow countrymen appreciate your dedication and commitment. You play a material role in maintaining law and order within and outside the country’s borders. Nonetheless, you can attest that so much goes on during your service years, some experiences leading to post-traumatic stress disorder. Unfortunately, many veterans don’t understand how this mental state affects them and their families. The information below shows these effects and how best to cope with them.

1.     The Critical Compensation Process

Serving in the military means the government is aware of your position, responsibilities, and service years. This is a critical consideration, which has led to the creation of various compensation plans for veterans through VA disability benefits. Post-traumatic stress disorder qualifies you for such payment. Nevertheless, you must present viable proof that your experiences during your service years are the leading cause of PTSD.

The compensation process has challenges, especially if post-traumatic stress disorder is severe. Veterans and their families can have difficulties acquiring this compensation. Some military survivors with PTSD don’t even understand where to begin the compensation application process because of their messed-up mental state.

2.     Increased Negativity

Negative thoughts and reactions are common among PSTD patients, but they differ depending on the severity of an individual’s condition. Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder may think negatively about themselves and their surroundings. It’s possible to deal with such thoughts by seeking help from mental health practitioners. Nevertheless, you should understand that this negativity can make the veteran feel detached from friends and family.

Moreover, the people closest to such individuals can have challenges creating and maintaining sturdy relationships with them. PTSD patients can feel less excited about things that once piqued their interest. For instance, if they loved fishing, they may have negative thoughts about the activity, primarily if their sour experiences resulted from being near a water body.

3.     Elevated Insomnia Levels

A quality night’s sleep is a pleasure many veterans with post-traumatic disorder can’t afford. Insomnia is primarily high when the memories causing PTSD are fresh in the individual’s mind. Some veterans even go for several nights, days, or weeks at a go without catching a good night’s slumber. Recalling their traumatic experiences is the main reason why it’s challenging to go to sleep during the night.

Unfortunately, this effect spreads to those closest to the veteran with PTSD. The family members may have sleepless nights for different reasons. They may stay awake to keep their loved one company or to contain their condition. PTSD patients react differently to the condition, including screaming at night, anxiousness, roaming around, and talking to themselves.  

4.     Avoidance

Traumatic experiences affect military veterans differently, with some resorting to avoiding people to cope with their condition. The family may do everything in their power, but forcing a loved one to stay in a place that reminds them of their traumatic experiences is challenging. Avoidance starts by ignoring or walking away from people, acts, places, sounds, smells, and conversations that bring back traumatic memories.

5.     Memory Issues

Memory loss is a common post-traumatic stress disorder outcome among many veterans. It entails forgetting what happened, leading to half-baked stories regarding their experiences on the battlefield. Additionally, such individuals may have challenges remembering and sticking to their responsibilities, such as maintaining their homes and caring for their families.

Post-traumatic stress disorder has bothered many veterans for years. Sadly, many people globally don’t understand how these effects stretch out to such individuals’ families. Reading the above points opens your eyes to this subject and what to expect if your loved one has PTSD while or after serving in the military. It’s advisable to seek help as soon as possible before the matter worsens.