Subtle Signs of Trauma in Veterans People Often Don’t Recognize

When we think of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, we often imagine a person zoning out only to come back feeling all shattered. But PTSD is beyond what we often perceive. It’s deep-rooted and shows up in almost everything a person does without limiting their ability to get things done. A person with PTSD will function normally until something in them gets triggered. 

This often leaves their family members and friends to walk on eggshells, being afraid of doing or saying something that can trigger a meltdown or outburst. While a Tricare-approved drug rehab facility makes it easier for family members to get their loved ones PTSD treatment, being able to recognize subtle signs is pivotal to initiating the process. 

Let’s take a look at a few signs that strongly hint at underlying PTSD.

Nightmares

Having nightmares or unpleasant flashbacks of the traumatic events is often a sign of PTSD that many people brush off. But such instances take the person back to the very moment when they experienced immense trauma and helplessness. Even if they try different sleeping techniques, such nightmares can be hard to keep away. 

There’s also a chance that, due to frequently being bothered by nightmares, the individual may choose to stay awake, keeping themselves busy with household chores, work, or a hobby. While it can help initially to channel the discomfort, inadequate sleep can worsen their mood, making them more vulnerable to meltdowns. 

Avoiding Places, Things, and People

Few places or things are special to us for the way they make us feel and the memories we have with them. But with PTSD, things are different. When a person with PTSD comes in contact with places, things, or even people who are somehow related to the trauma they carry, the person is likely to start showing signs of agitation, irritability, and discomfort and may even feel emotionally volatile. 

These elements act as triggers, and regardless of how small or irrelevant they may seem to the normal person, they carry the power to shatter a person with PTSD. For instance, a person who has been in a car accident might avoid driving, or if someone has been a victim of violence, watching movies with such themes will keep them on the edge. 

Being Alert at All Times

A person with PTSD always thinks something will go wrong any minute, and they will have to react. It’s like a time bomb ticking in their heads, and they always feel helpless. 

This symptom is known as hypervigilance, and the person is constantly scanning their environment, thinking of ways to protect themselves as well as their loved ones if something happens. 

Such behavior can make it challenging for them to relax and unwind completely. Hypervigilance is exhausting and stressful, and it makes a person always overanalyze even the slightest inconvenience. 

Easily Angered

Someone with PTSD is often in survival mode to avoid situations that caused the trauma in the first place. Due to this, they are often overanalyzing their surroundings and may have outbursts if they feel threatened or triggered. People with PTSD are often under immense stress due to hypervigilance. 

As a result, they may react strongly to small issues, while they may continue to be calm and composed in highly stressful situations. Anger is a boundary emotion, and in the case of PTSD, it tries to protect the person from potential harm. 

Excessive Risk-Taking

People with PTSD often believe they are not worthy of living life and that they’re a burden to their loved ones. With such beliefs, they tend to assume the world will be better without them. Such a thought process makes them want to take risks without considering the consequences. Some veterans may also use illicit substances, engage in alcohol consumption, and even bet. These behaviors, if not taken care of, can lead to another traumatic experience. In unfortunate cases, it can even push a person to commit suicide. 

Bottomline

PTSD in the case of veterans is unfortunate. As they are exposed to extremely harsh realities of life, the lasting adverse effects can stay with them. PTSD can make it challenging for a person to live a normal life. If you suspect your loved one is showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, seeking professional help can be beneficial to restore peace and normalcy in life.