Difficulty concentrating, remembering, thinking, making decisions
Depression
Guilt over killing a combatant or civilian
Guilt over the death or injury of a fellow warrior
Anxiety
Exaggerated startle response
Withdrawal from social activities and friends
Problems at home
An increase in accidents
An increase in taking unnecessary risks
Physical complaints and medical illness or fear of medical illness
A significant increase in the use of alcohol and other substances
Domestic violence
Misconduct issues or reprimands
When To Get Help It's normal to have a wide range of feelings and emotions after a traumatic event. You might experience fear and anxiety, a lack of focus, sadness, changes in how well you sleep or how much you eat, or crying spells that catch you off guard. You may have nightmares or be unable to stop thinking about the event. This doesn't mean you have post-traumatic stress disorder.
But, if these disturbing thoughts and feelings are not going away, or are getting more severe, or your friends or family members are concerned about you, or you are self-medicating with alcohol or other substances, call one of the phone numbers listed on the Crisis Lines page to get some help - before things get worse!
In some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may be so severe that you need emergency help, especially if you're thinking about or worried about harming yourself or someone else. If this happens, call 911, or ask a supportive family member or friend for immediate help.1
