On Veterans Day, remembering the victims of PTSD

I have a problem with the word "victim" especially when discussing veterans. They are not victims. They are survivors. The only time "victim" really applies is when a crime has been committed. The fact is, no matter what the trauma was, they are all survivors!

On Veterans Day, remembering the victims of PTSD
Trauma lingers for soldiers, victims of natural disasters
BY DR. MELISSA EARLE
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
PUBLISHED: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2012

On this Veterans Day, as we continue to recover from Hurricane Sandy and welcome returning soldiers home from combat zones, it’s an ideal time to recognize that both soldiers and storm victims are often affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

While ongoing wars and brief natural disasters are obviously different, both can cause a post-traumatic response — and must be recognized as such and treated.

Traumatic events, by their very nature, represent a direct threat both physically and psychologically. On a physical level, human beings are programmed to react to a threat by either fighting or fleeing.

Psychologically, the reactions can range from denial, to anxiety, anger and even feelings of guilt.

While not every returning vet experiences it, they are obviously more prone to PTSD than civilians. These brave men and women were threatened with physical harm every day. The danger is that they continue to use the coping skills they needed to survive in Afghanistan and Iraq after they have come back home.

For many, it takes a long time to realize they are removed from imminent danger and that a physical and psychological response to a perceived threat is no longer necessary.
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