Page 58 - Total War on PTSD

the environment or lash out. Again and again in my office, I have witnessed the phenomenon of Veterans focusing on things that annoy them or make them angry to pull back from their anxiety or vulnerable feelings such as fear, helplessness or uncomfortable primary emotions. I have long surmised that this is an attempt to have some sense of empowerment and escape emotions that they feel are intolerable. Most Veterans will eventually present at my office due to either their overwhelming level of anxiety or anger issues that impact their families, jobs, or functioning in the community.
When fight or flight symptoms occur, they can feel overwhelming to the combat Veteran. Of course, different individuals can experience different levels of symptomatology. Common fight or flight symptoms may include:
• Afullfeelingintheheadduetoelevatedbloodpressure,whichcanleadto headaches
• Visualchangesthatcanincludetunnelvisionornarrowingofthevisualfield
• Heighteningordampeningoftheirhearing
• Increasedringingorpitchheighteningoftinnitusforthosewhoalreadyhavethis ailment
• Drymouth
• Muscletension
• Feelinghotorsweaty
• Increasedheartrate
• Increasedorshallowbreathingpatterns
• Anincreasedurgetourinate
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