Sticky Message
PTSD and Veterans
The PTSD Information Center contains in-depth information on PTSD and traumatic stress for a general audience.We answer commonly asked questions about the effects of trauma, including basic information about PTSD and other common reactions. You can find out about treatment and coping or view videos to learn more.
What is PTSD?
After a trauma or life threatening event it is common to have upsetting memories of what happened, to have trouble sleeping, to feel jumpy, or to lose interest in things you used to enjoy. For some people these reactions do not go away on their own, or may even get worse over time. These people may have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Types of Trauma
Veterans may go through many different kinds of traumatic and stressful experiences. During wartime, types of traumatic experiences include combat, blasts, sexual assault, witnessing death and injury, and living in severe conditions.
The effects of war on veterans include specific effects associated with various groups such as women veterans and older veterans, and associated with various events such as war zone exposure, peacekeeping situations, and more. Veterans of various ethnic minority groups might have special needs. Here you will find fact sheets and videos specific to ethnic minority veterans.
Recent research has confirmed high rates of military sexual trauma (MST), which occurs for both men and women. MST includes sexual harassment and sexual assault. These pages tell you about these types of sexual trauma and other violence and how they may affect survivors and their loved ones.
For more information and an open discussion please check inside. I urge veterans who feel they need help to seek professional advice.
