PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) is an anxiety disorder that can occur after a person experiences a terrifying event. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares and severe emotional reactions to events that remind the person of the original trauma.
How Big is the Need?
The suicide rate among veterans is two times higher (200%) than that of civilians. Veterans are also more likely to be homeless, unemployed and suffer from mental illness. Seventeen veterans take their own lives every day. It’s a staggering statistic that we must work towards bringing down. These veterans feel they have no hope, no answers, no future, that no one cares, no one understands, that they have nowhere to go, and no one that has their back.
The Statistics
The number of Veterans with PTSD varies by service era. The data below are from a large study of Veterans across the country:
Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF)
15 out of 100 (15%) past year
29 out of 100 (29%) at some point in their lifetime
Persian Gulf War (Desert Storm)
14 out of 100 (14%) past year
21 out of 100 (21%) at some point in their lifetime
Vietnam War
5 out of 100 (5%) past year
10 out of 100 (10%) at some point in their lifetime
NOTE: The data in this table is from Veterans alive at the time of the study. As such, it does not include Veterans in any service area who have died and may have had PTSD.
Veterans have much higher incidences of PTSD than civilians, particularly veterans who served in combat areas or experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
PTSD is a mental health problem that can occur after seeing or living through a traumatic event. Traumatic events may include:
- Combat
- Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes
PTSD can affect people of any age, race, gender and background. If you have PTSD symptoms it’s important to talk with someone who understands what you’re going through so that they can help you get better.
Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have a divorce rate that is 50 percent higher than their civilian counterparts.
After serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, many veterans find themselves struggling with PTSD and other mental health issues. The divorce rate for veterans is higher than for civilians, but there are also some unexpected factors that contribute to this difference.Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have a divorce rate that is 50 percent higher than their civilian counterparts–a statistic that has been linked with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Family members also suffer when one member has PTSD.
When someone you love has PTSD, it can be just as devastating to your family as it is for them. Family members who are not suffering from PTSD may feel like they’re walking on eggshells and constantly worrying about what might set off their loved one. This can lead to problems in the marriage or even divorce if both parties aren’t committed to working through them together. Children who have a parent that suffers from PTSD may also suffer from anxiety disorders and depression because of how their parent(s) behave around them–or even just because they worry about their parents all the time!
Family members of people with PTSD often struggle financially after losing their job due to illness or hospitalization due to an accident related to the disorder (such as car accidents). They may also have trouble finding work themselves if there isn’t enough room at home for all five people living there (or more). In some tragic cases where the family member with PTSD commits suicide after years of struggling financially and emotionally with this condition–this leaves behind many questions about why things happened this way?
PTSD is a serious health condition that can lead to depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental illnesses if left untreated. If you or someone you know has PTSD symptoms, it’s important to seek help from a medical provider who specializes in this disorder and can provide effective treatment options.
When one is affected we all are affected.
The truth is, when one of our brothers or sisters is suffering. It affects all of us. Our whole community. Gotcha 6 exists to bring awareness and understanding to our community and help provide a bridge financially to those helping to rebuild our heroes and our communities.
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