4/24/2017

Dealing With Veterans Struggling With Depression

By Martha Perry


Depression, anxiety and PTSD are on the rise amongst veterans. It is not an uncommon fact these days to read more about veterans struggling with depression. In the past, there was little support for this, and nobody knew what was happening with soldiers who came back from the battlefield. Nobody took care of their mental health.

It is difficult to know how to deal in a situation like this, when you don't know where to turn. A lot of people simply think it is part of the process and it will pass in time. However, by not dealing with it you will find that it is going to become worse. You will find that there will be other things that will crop up which are going to be difficult to cope with on your own as well.

Your family, friends and work colleagues may not understand what you are going through. This is why it is important to talk to someone that understands you. There are people who specialize with war veterans. There are groups that you can join up with. There are other veterans who will discuss their major issues with you and you will talk about coping mechanisms.

Besides depression and anxiety, people will also be stressed much of the time. They will prefer not to go out, thinking that something might happen. A loud noise may just set them off. Flashbacks are common occurrences with veterans. They may look up and see a helicopter, thinking they are back in combat, and of course this is very frightening.

It is a long, lonely process when you decide to work through this on your own. In fact, many people find that they are not able to adapt to the changes. Coming back to a more tranquil setting after you have had your mind focused on a mission for so long can be difficult to cope with. You will become anxious which leads to depression.

A good therapist will be able to help someone like this in more of a practical way. Often, they need a routine to get into. It is important to have structure because this will help you lead a more balanced life. You won't feel as if you are lost. Vets also need to talk about what is on their mind. It is important for them to know that someone understands them.

Vets who get back and try to adjust will often become confused because they don't know why they are feeling in a particular way. They won't be able to explain their mental state of mind. However, this is something that you need to be patient. This is why it is a good idea to work with others that are going through the same thing. A lot of people enjoy connecting with other vets in a group.

Something like this can destroy families. The family is so grateful to have the soldier back in one piece. However, there is a lot that they are not aware of and what they will be dealing with emotionally. It can lead to mood swings within the person, temper tantrums, and many other disorders. It is important for the vet to realize that they are unable to cope on their own and they need to seek help.




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