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  • Stress blog

  • Nov. 22, 2011

    Vets and families cope with post-traumatic stress

    By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

128 comments posted

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after someone goes through a traumatic event like combat, assault or disaster. The number of veterans dealing with PTSD is staggering.

Need more help?

If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Go to the nearest hospital or emergency room
  • Call your physician, health provider or clergy
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    www.nami.org
    1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

By some estimates, one in five vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan experience symptoms of PTSD or major depression. Sadly many of these service members don't seek treatment because they fear it will harm their careers. Untreated, PTSD and depression can lead to cascading problems, such as drug use, marital problems, unemployment and even suicide.

Veterans don't have to go it alone — Veterans Affairs (VA) has resources to help service members and their families. The VA website has information about coping with PTSD. There's also a hotline veterans can call for help: 1-800-273-8255.

So for veterans and anyone else suffering with PTSD or depression — take care of yourself and seek help if you need it. The resources are out there.

Please keep sharing your experiences dealing with PTSD, including the tactics that have helped you cope.

128 comments posted

blog index
References
  1. PTSD. National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/index.asp. Accessed Nov. 11, 2011.
  2. Invisible wounds of war: Psychological and cognitive injuries, their consequences, and services to assist recovery. Rand Health. http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG720/. Accessed Nov. 11, 2011.
SR00053 Nov. 22, 2011

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