Millions of veterans have PTSD primarily because of the various traumatic events they encounter during service. These terrifying events trigger post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms like severe anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares. Luckily, veterans can manage and recover from war PTSD either through therapy or medication. It’d also help to consider an attorney for veterans to help with all the legalities in applying for a claim.
Treatment Options For War PTSD
There are two practical treatment approaches for PTSD among war veterans; medication and counseling. Counseling involves professional therapy focused on helping you better understand your thoughts and reaction. It also teaches you techniques to manage challenging situations despite your condition.
The patient might require medication to reduce tension or irritability in severe instances. The symptoms also make sleeping hard, and the drugs improve significantly. Most doctors prescribe “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors” for war PTSD, but you must consult a licensed medical practitioner for a sage prescription.
Both treatment options guarantee favorable results in months, significantly changing their quality of life. They also help you understand your emotions and improve how you handle stressful situations.
Tips To Help War Veterans Recover From War PTSD
Treatment plays a crucial role in how fast a war PTSD patient recovers, and so does their social life. Unfortunately, most veterans don’t inform their loved ones of their condition, which worsens the situation. PTSD among veterans is also often misunderstood, which is another reason they don’t come out quickly.
The following are tips to help you interact with veterans with PTSD to help boost their recovery:
Help Find Professional Mental Health Treatment
The greatest challenge when dealing with a veteran with PTSD is getting them to acknowledge their mental health condition. Only after accepting their condition can you encourage them to seek professional treatment, either counseling or treatment.
Research by the Rand Corporation shows veterans and active military troops are most reluctant to consider professional care for mental health issues. Unfortunately, seeking mental health treatment is considered a sign of weakness. Friends and families are best positioned to address these concerns and encourage professional care.
Raise Awareness
Another effective approach you can help is to educate others by raising awareness about war veterans suffering from PTSD. The lack of understanding from society is a massive issue, and spreading valuable information can help significantly. You can start by clarifying the definition of PTSD, its symptoms, and how to interact with these individuals.
Encourage Victims To Join Support Groups
Support groups dedicated to veterans with PTSD make it easier for them to interact and share life-changing advice. These groups build communities of individuals who’ve had similar experiences. Health-related support groups are most effective since they seamlessly connect medical treatment to emotional support, boosting recovery significantly.
There are dozens of groups helping the veteran community, from religious to nonprofit health institutions. You can also start a support group for veterans with PTSD by following the resources shared by the U.S. Department of VA.
Can Veterans Recover From War PTSD
Over 30% of veterans get diagnosed with PTSD annually despite no cure. PTSD is an incurable mental health condition you can learn to live with. It’s practically impossible to cure this condition since it’s directly tied to past traumatic events.
Although the condition doesn’t disappear, you can treat some symptoms and manage PTSD. Emphasizing medical management on the ideal treatment option will significantly contribute to successful recovery. Note that treatment varies since the veteran’s PTSD experience is unique.
Recovering from PTSD involves more than just sticking to your prescription. The war veteran should find a supporting family and a friendly environment to boost their recovery. Professional medical and legal help will also significantly help during treatment and healing.