Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is incredibly common for veterans. Sometimes it’s more of an issue for aging veterans than physical illnesses and injuries are, even. This type of stress comes from traumatic and life-threatening experiences, like the ones that veterans may have found themselves in while they were in the service. Recognizing and managing the symptoms of PTSD can help veterans to age in place, especially if they have help from experienced veterans care providers. June 27th is National PTSD Awareness Day, which makes it a good time to talk with veterans about what they’re experiencing.

Trouble with Reminders of the Trauma

Sometimes there are small pieces of everyday life that can remind someone of the trauma they lived through. These reminders might be as simple as being around a lot of people or riding in a car. The new situations themselves might not be traumatic, but they are close enough to the traumatic experience that they cause the brain to react as if it’s back in the original traumatic situation.

Reliving the Trauma Unexpectedly

Unexpectedly reliving the traumatic experience, like through a nightmare or a flashback during the day, is a frequent symptom of PTSD. Sometimes these flashbacks and nightmares can be helped by medication or by trying other therapies, like meditation or using a sound machine during sleep. Many different types of triggers can cause an unexpected reminder, including noises or smells.

Feelings of Guilt or Shame

Unfortunately many veterans experience feelings of guilt or shame because of the trauma they’ve experienced. When they hold onto those feelings for years after the fact, that can cause even more damage. Flashbacks and nightmares aren’t something that people can control, either, and veterans might be nervous about working with new veterans home care providers if they don’t have experience with PTSD.

Negative Thoughts and Feelings

It’s really common for veterans with PTSD to experience more negative thoughts and feelings than they did before. They might talk about the world being darker or more dangerous for people than it was in the past. This can cause them to avoid doing things that remind them of their traumatic event or reaching out to people who might help them.

Hypervigilance

Veterans with PTSD are also likely to feel hypervigilant, which means that they’re overly on edge or paying more attention than most people would to feeling safe. This can lead them to have trouble relaxing or letting go, especially when they really are safe. When veterans experiencing hypervigilance are surprised or startled, they might have an over-the-top reaction because they’re so wound up. Finding ways to manage the hypervigilance is important so that they can regain some of those parts of their lives.

It is unfortunately very common for aging veterans to avoid labeling their symptoms as PTSD. They may believe that the experiences they had weren’t “bad enough” to cause the type of trauma that leads to PTSD. But the reality is that anyone who experiences trauma can develop PTSD and talking about it is the first step in getting help. Veterans care providers can help aging veterans to realize what the symptoms they’re experiencing mean so that they can get additional care to recover.

If you or an aging loved one are considering veterans home care in Coppell, TX, please contact the caring staff at Ray of Sunshine Senior Care today! (940) 310-3105

Caregivers Provide Senior Home Care Services in Denton, Lewisville, Gainesville, Keller, Grapevine, Coppell, Carrollton, Southlake, Valley View, Aubrey, Frisco, Corinth, Argyle, Roanoke, Counties: Denton County, Tarrant County, Collin County, and surrounding areas.

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Cynthia Ferris

Owner at Ray of Sunshine Senior Care

Cynthia has a long history of serving others. As she and her husband traveled the US and overseas while he served in the military, Cynthia worked in a variety of public service positions with city governments and non-profits. After her husband retired, they returned to the DFW area to be closer to family. As an only child, Cynthia was preparing to help care for her aging parents but was stunned when both parents were diagnosed with cancer.

At the same time, she and her husband were faced with the care of his father on the west coast which presented the unique challenges of long-distance care. These events led to a crash course in the senior care industry and her unending dedication to helping seniors and families in similar circumstances. When not working Cynthia enjoys cooking, gardening and traveling with a focus on visiting State and National Parks.

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