Let’s Avoid Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Addictions, and Abuse

This is the correct version. Another was uploaded by accident!

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), addictions, and abuse can often occur together in the same way that narcissism, addictions, and abuse–what I write about on my website–so often do. The things is, while we saw many Vietnam War veterans who were PTSD sufferers end up having problems with addictions or engaging in domestic violence, this isn’t a scenario we’re destined to repeat when our troops come marching home from Iraq or Afghanistan. After all, when soldiers returned from Vietnam, we didn’t know about PTSD.

Not only do we now know about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, though, but we also realize that early diagnosis and treatment are so important.

Today when we know someone has been through an event such as war that might precipitate PTSD, we can take preventive steps that might keep it from developing at all. We can screen to see if symptoms have developed that, if they were allowed to linger, might develop into full fledged Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If it is determined the person indeed has this condition, however, we can begin treatment immediately that might actually eradicate the disorder. And even if that isn’t feasible, it is likely that with treatment early on, the sufferer will at least notice a decline in debilitating symptoms. Also, this person might be taught skills or given medications that can help to control the symptoms, too.

Yes, many of us have seen the tragedies untreated Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can create. But because there is a story of hope today, it is important we all realize this and, if we happen to know veterans who might be having problems, encourage them to get help immediately. Why sit back and watch these young people perhaps experience ongoing depression, engage in alcohol and drug abuse, exhibit dysfunctional levels of fear and anxiety, suffer from insomnia, experience nightmares and flashbacks, and perhaps even become suicidal when all of this might have been avoided by early intervention or treatment?

If the veteran with possible PTSD is your husband, you might be concerned because ever since he returned, he seems more irritable. In fact, does he actually become quite angry and fly into rages? Do you have a verbally abusive relationship now when you didn’t before he went off to war?

Or even if abuse hasn’t entered your relationship, you still might be saddened because your husband doesn’t want to partake in activities he enjoyed with you and the children. In fact, you might feel hurt and angry that your relationship seems to be over, and not merely because he wants to avoid activities in general, but you feel he or wants to avoid you personally.

Perhaps you’re finding it challenging to keep your hurt and anger in check because of your husband’s attitudinal or behavior changes? Nonetheless, I suspect you are reading this article because you want to be supportive.

That’s good news, and let me tell you why.

Did you know that the PTSD sufferer does better if he or she has a good support system? Really, it seems those with good support systems develop less severe symptoms. So, you are doing the right thing by learning how to assist your husband (or another family member) with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In fact, let’s all commit to encouraging any returning war veteran to get treatment early on–or anyone else who experiences a traumatic event and could develop PTSD as a result.

You know, I find it sad enough that I have cause to write about narcissism, addictions, and abuse. But by working together and striving to see that our war veterans get the help and support they need, perhaps it won’t be necessary to write about PTSD, addictions, and abuse as well.