
New Year’s is an exciting celebration, ushering in the beginning of a brand new year. It’s a time to get together and celebrate a fresh start with friends and family. The clock strikes 00:00 hours and the ball drops. Then the sounds of booms, pops. yelling, screaming, and fireworks fill the air. While this is celebration for some, for others it can be an uncomfortable, triggering experience. The chaos and noise that accompany many New Year’s celebrations can bring on symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS) in veterans.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicates that 11%-20% of veterans who served in Iraq & Afghanistan suffer from PTS. In addition, PTS affects almost 30% of veterans who served in Vietnam and about 12% of Gulf War veterans. As one service member described in a blog post, “Fireworks aren’t fun for me. When I hear them explode in the wee hours of the morning I begin to shake, low crawl, hide under beds or in a corner, or scream with each concussive blast. It’s not pretty.”
So, how can we help ensure everyone has a great New Year’s? Here are a few tips to have a trigger-free New Year’s celebration:
Remember, if you’re experiencing the effects of PTS, you are not alone. Our Intrepid Spirit Centers are designed to diagnose and treat our military personnel who are combatting the invisible wounds of war: traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. Learn more about how the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund helps care for “our nation’s greatest resource”, our military personnel.
Posted on December 25 2017 in Blog