It’s not a secret…nearly 20 percent of U.S. veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression. And according to one study, only slightly more than half of them sought treatment.

There can be many triggers…like crowded malls:

“You get used to scanning what everybody’s doing. Your brain just starts working so fast and it’s purely instinctual because you want to know what everyone’s intent is around you,” said one army sergeant who served four years of active duty.

“You want to know if anyone has the intent to harm you or the capabilities to harm you.”

Yes, hyper-vigilance is one common symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

People with PTSD may become more depressed, aggressive (exhibiting violence; fighting; flashes of rage), or emotionally detached and feel helpless and sink towards suicidal thoughts. Plus there are the anxiety attacks (panic attacks) and the trouble with sleeping…and for many perhaps a decline into alcoholism.

If you live with PTSD, you can get lost in endless negatives that can lead you into physical and mental exhaustion.

And this will not just disappear because you wish it to be under control!

Seek out help.

And as you wait for help, live for the day…and give tomorrow another gentle effort.

Be kind to yourself today…be gentle with yourself tomorrow…and the next day…and so on…

And it helps to set boundaries to protect yourself.

Try different techniques of self-healing…learning how to relax your body and mind.

Click here for real stories of people who have experienced combat-related PTSD.

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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