Experiencing service-related PTSD can be overwhelming. You never know what might set off a response, and having an attack around friends and family can be rough. You shouldn’t have to go through this alone. There are plenty of resources out there to help ensure that you get the care and benefits that you deserve.
What is PTSD?
PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental condition that develops after someone experiences a shocking, dangerous, or terrifying event in their life, ie. after a traumatic event.
After experiencing a traumatic event, you may be left with anxiety, fear, or sadness. These emotions are especially common when certain memories are triggered by sounds, sights, smells, and even words.
When experiencing anxiety, fear, and sadness most people will get better over time. If you’re experiencing PTSD, these thoughts and feelings don’t go away. In fact, they may get worse and worse over time, affecting your everyday life.
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Symptoms associated with PTSD include:
- Being easily startled or scared
- Always on guard
- Self-destructive behavior
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
- Angry outbursts
- Aggressive behavior
- Overwhelming guilt
- Emotional numbness
- A detached feeling
- Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
- Lack of interest in activities
- Memory problems
- Hopelessness
- Negative thoughts
- Trouble holding relationships
The Four Stages of PTSD
- The Impact Stage: The impact stage occurs directly after the traumatic event, leaving the victim in shock of what just happened. They may experience heightened anxiety during this time. They may also struggle with any guilt associated with the event. This is the most commonly shown stage in media. However, PTSD isn’t always like this, it changed as one receives treatment.
- The Denial Stage: Some people may skip this stage, but the denial stage occurs for some after the initial shock of the event has set in. Some may turn to alcohol or drugs to avoid thinking about the trauma they experienced.
- The Short-Term Recovery Stage: During the short-term recovery stage, immediate solutions to problems are addressed and the victim will attempt to adjust their life so they’re able to return to some aspect of normalcy.
- The Long-Term Recovery Stage: During the long-term recovery stage, victims will continue to deal with the effects associated with the trauma they experienced. The side effects will begin to subside at this time. If it’s not treated during the long-term recovery stage, PTSD could be an issue for a very large portion of one’s life.
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PTSD Treatment
PTSD can be treated with both medication and therapy, although many suggest a combination of the two for the best result. It can be hard to decide to start going to therapy, but it’ll be worth it once you start to see the results.
Your therapist will help you learn coping mechanisms so you don’t have to feel anxious, afraid, or threatened anytime you’re reminded of the traumatic event. Eventually, with these coping mechanisms, you’ll be able to move on when thinking about the event and it won’t bother you as much.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
PTSD lawyers work to ensure that you get the VA disability rating you deserve as well as the benefits you deserve for your diagnosis. They can help you appeal a denied VA claim or reopen one that was closed.
If you choose to hire a PTSD attorney, they’ll help you get everything needed in order to refile your claim with the VA. Those who work with attorneys to file their claims often receive more in benefits than those who don’t.
Attorneys have years of experience working on these cases and they know how to argue against the VA. Hire an attorney today to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve for your PTSD diagnosis.
