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Native American Veterans - Storytelling for Healing

Published: October 3, 2012
Native Veterans

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

What is Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur after one has been through a traumatic event. During this type of event, you may think that your life or others' lives are in danger. You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening.


  • Combat or military exposure,
  • Child sexual or physical abuse,
  • Terrorist attacks,
  • Sexual or physical assault,
  • Serious accidents, such as a car wreck, or


How does PTSD develop?


Most people who go through a traumatic event have some symptoms at the beginning; yet only some will develop PTSD. It isn't clear why some people develop PTSD and others don't. How likely you are to get PTSD depends on many things. These include:

  • How intense the traumatic event was or how long it lasted
  • If you lost someone you were close to
  • If you were hurt
  • How close you were to the event
  • How strong your reaction was
  • How much you felt in control of events
  • How much help and support you got after the event

Many people who develop PTSD get better at some point in time. But about one out of three people with PTSD may continue to have some symptoms. Even if you continue to have symptoms, treatment can help you cope. Your symptoms don't have to interfere with your everyday activities, work, and relationships.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

Symptoms of PTSD can be terrifying. They may disrupt your life and make it hard to continue with your daily activities. It may be hard to get through the day.


There are four types of symptoms: reliving the event, avoidance, numbing, and feeling “keyed up.”

Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms):

Bad memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. You may feel the same fear and horror you did when the event took place. You may have nightmares. You may even feel like you're going through the event again. This is called a flashback. Sometimes there is a trigger: a sound or sight that causes you to relive the event. The following are examples of these triggers:


Avoiding situations that remind you of the event:



Feeling numb:


Feeling keyed up (also called hyper-arousal):

You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. This is known as hyper-arousal and may cause you to:

  • Suddenly become angry or irritable
  • Have a hard time sleeping
  • Have trouble concentrating
  • Fear for your safety and always feel on guard
  • Be very startled when someone surprises you

What are other common problems?

People with PTSD may also have other problems. These may include:

  • Drinking or drug problems
  • Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
  • Employment problems
  • Relationships problems including divorce and violence
  • Physical symptoms

What treatments are available?


But treatment can help you get better.


If you have never sought or received care from a DVA hospital or clinic, the following contact information can be used to begin the application process and enroll in DVA medical care:

  • Toll-free number can help you locate services 1-800-827-1000.
  • The Internet address is: www.va.gov.

Every VA medical center and clinic has a PTSD specialist who is familiar with readjustment problems caused by war trauma and who can provide you with a thorough evaluation and recommendations for treatment.

Additionally, you can e-mail ncptsd@va.gov or call the PTSD Information Line at (802) 296-6300.