Managing PTSD is a Lifelong Process
I am starting to see an uptick in Vietnam veterans seeking help for their mental health issues. Many of them have been suffering from PTSD for most of their lives, some their whole life.
I was working with John a 74 years old Vietnam Combat veteran who was struggling with his temper as he’s gotten older. John’s temper had started to scare his family, they suggested he get help. John had been dealing with his PTSD since childhood, and the Army exacerbated the symptoms. John has made it 74 years without getting in trouble for his temper because he found ways to work through the frustration and temper. John came to see me in hopes of finding another way to control his temper because his physical disabilities prevent him from doing what had worked in the past.
John set his life up, so he could work through his hypervilligance. He worked a job as a heavy equipment operator which allowed him to have a safe comfort zone. No one could approach John without him knowing, this helped limit some of the triggers. John also stayed busy by having multiple jobs and owning several businesses throughout his 74 years, leaving him little time to think about his PTSD. Being a business owner allowed John to control his environment, he could hire people to do the tasks he struggles with due to his PTSD. John showed another major sign of PTSD, taking risks. Having his own business was not a risk but using his life savings to start it was. John’s risks were evident away from work too. John rode motorcycles, dirt bikes, and talked about how he would drive crazy as a young man. He hiked for miles in steep, rough terrain, he gambled, picked fights, and had affairs. If John had taken just one of these risks it could be thought of as having a momentary lapse in judgement, but John took multiple risks for multiple years, he was always doing something risky.
As time went on John got smarter, he started doing taekwondo for the excitement of fighting to get his adrenaline up. It worked for years until his body gave up and he was unable to do what he needed to maintain the excitement. He started shooting weapons for a while until his eyesight started to go and his shoulder started to give him problems. Over the years John has found other ways to get his adrenaline up, but that recently came to an end due to his health. John can’t do the physical things he used to do to let out his frustration. His temper has flared up and he has lost his way to physically work through the issue. John’s temper has started to scare people, especially his family. He gets aggravated at the littlest things, sometimes for no reason at all. He is quick to pick fights with family members, even his wife, children and grandchildren. John’s short temper has created issues away from his family also, he rails against people for doing things he doesn’t like, causing altercations in public. Picking fights helps John get his adrenaline up to deal with his PTSD, it can be a dangerous coping skill.
As you can see from John’s story he has found a way of working through his PTSD throughout his life. He has changed his tactic’s as the ones have stop working or couldn’t do them anymore. John did not see any of these issues as a problem until recently when it was suggested by his family he get help for his anger. After working through his recent anger issues, John has learned to control his anger.
It makes me wonder what is going to happen to our newest combat veterans, are they going to be like John? If you spot some of these signs in veterans, get them to help while they are still young. The risky behavior can be dangerous, don’t do what John did and wait until he was 74 years old and scaring his family before getting help.
For questions or comments, I can be reached at bo@afterdutyvets.com or visit our website at afterdutyvets.com.
To find a therapist visit Psychology Today, put in your zip code, and a list of certified therapist will be presented.