Page 56 - Total War on PTSD

as start to view civilians as oblivious to the truth of the evilness of human nature and what people really are capable of doing. They continue to feel protective of those around them and believe that if they are “complacent” something bad will happen. Because of their trauma and their need for control over their environment, they are chronically vigilant wherever they go. Combat Veterans will keep their backs to the wall, watch entrances/exits, size up everyone in their environment, trust no one, and will always develop a mental plan of how to escape an environment or how they would respond if something dangerous were to occur. They have difficulties being present in the moment and enjoying their experiences. They chronically run “What if” scenarios in their heads, often anticipating the worst-case scenario. In some sense, this gives a sense of preparedness related to their environment. On a whole different level, however, it actually keeps them in a very negative mindset and perpetuates their anxiety and negative beliefs about people and the world in general. Combat Veterans will often go to businesses during off hours to avoid people. They will steer away from crowded areas or environments that they view as “soft targets.” They will often leave environments when triggering occurs and their anxiety peaks. Some Veterans rarely leave their home at all and become isolated from the world they perceive as unpredictable and dangerous. Even in their homes, they will can have new combat related behaviors and routines, such as always keeping the blinds closed to avoid being seen or targeted, needing everything in their homes in a designated spot (to maintain predictability), “Clearing the house” and repeatedly checking the doors, windows and perimeter for intruders. These, along with many other combat related behaviors, start to affect the Veteran’s quality of life and that of their family members. The family can often start to take on the behaviors of the combat Veteran to accommodate the Veteran’s PTSD, and can lead the family into isolation.
Triggers and Re-experiencing Symptoms:
When combat Veterans are in public places, their anxiety is frequently triggered by stimuli that remind them of their combat experience, either on a conscious or unconscious level, which creates a significant fight/flight physical reaction in them and/or anxiety response. At times the triggers in the environment are clear, such as loud noises, crowds, and people being aggressive towards one another. At other times, however, the triggers are very subtle to the point the
56 of 1063