Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition in which a person has difficult recovering after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. The disorder may last months or years (and could have triggers that bring back memories of the trauma). The disorder often involves intense emotional and physical reactions such as nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, heightened reactions, and depressed mood. 

 

PTSD can affect a person for the remainder of their life after a traumatic event. They may have flashbacks, negative changes in thinking and mood, insomnia and/or nightmares, and difficulty with loud unexpected noises. Some may also be diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders. PTSD sometimes escalates with self-destructive actions such as excessive drinking, outbursts, unsafe behavior, and suicide ideation.

 

PTSD was not classified as a mental illness until 1980 but its symptoms have been prevalent for ages. In the 1700s nostalgia was used to describe soldier’s homesickness, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. For many years soldiers were said to have “shell shock” or other names like battle fatigue and combat stress reaction. No matter the name, the disorder has always been prevalent. 

 

Many soldiers do not seek help either due to stigma (many may feel that either as a man or as a “tough” soldier they would look “weak” to ask for help) or because of lack of resources to find help. The combined lack of those asking for help and the lack of an official diagnosis for many years means it is quite difficult to know how prevalent PTSD has been over time. It is estimated using hospital records that about 43 per 1000 soldiers sought help for war traumas during WWII. 

 

Post-WWII there were few treatments for Veterans returning from the war past physical aids. Some might have taken pain medication or sedatives to help them sleep but the most effective treatment option, specialized therapy, would not be available for many years when a diagnosis was recognized. 

 

Unfortunately, many veterans return without resources to deal with their trauma, find work, remain food secure, and readjust. While government Veterans Affairs is meant to assist, acclimating can be incredibly difficult. Some end up in immense pain and/or depression for much of their life or turn to suicide. Due to mental health/suicide stigma, there was little help or recording of military suicide rates for years. The first suicide prevention center in the U.S. did not open till 1958. It is clear that despite documentation of the issue, veteran suicide has always been prevalent. 

 

In June 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (also known as the G.I. Bil). The bill hoped to reduce the possibility of postwar economic depression by putting higher education and training within reach of WWII veterans. Veterans could choose between “Cash or College”  using money for tuition, food, books and supplies, equipment, and more or cash to cover hospitalization, purchases of homes or businesses, or anything they need. The bill had great success but unfortunately was not helpful to all. Poor veterans often had to put the money straight towards living expenses without getting to take advantage of the education and black vets were often unable to get bank loans or mortgages or “nice” suburban homes due to racial discrimination. 

 

Veteran's mental health problems and awareness are still important today. Services have become much better and resources are more accessible, veterans can find better care options such as therapy and prescription medication. Despite modern resources, many still struggle. One of the most important things is providing help for those who might not know where to find it, if you think a veteran you know may need help you can provide them with the Veterans Crisis Line run by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. They provide confidential support 24-hrs a day. Call 800-273-8255, and press 1; send a text message to 838255; or chat online at the