Treatment and Coping

There are many ways to take care of yourself following the traumatic experiences of war. Here you will find information on help for veterans. See the PTSD Information Center for more information about how to cope and treatment options.

Fact Sheets on Treatment and Coping for Veterans:

• Help for Vets with PTSD
  Answers to some questions about PTSD and service-connected disability that are frequently asked by veterans. Provides information about resources for treatment.
  
• Specialized PTSD Treatment Programs in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  Information on specialized treatment for PTSD within VA Medical Centers.
  
• How Terroristic Acts May Affect Veterans
  Describes how veterans may respond to terrorism and other traumatic events. Provides a list of stategies to help Veterans cope during periods of disaster.
  
• Coping with Traumatic Stress Reactions
  Discusses active ways to cope with traumatic stress, listing behaviors that don't help and discussing behaviors that can help.
  
• Homecoming After Deployment: Dealing with Changes and Expectations
  Homecoming can be a joyful and also stressful time. This sheet reviews what reactions to expect of the service member, the spouse and children, as well as provides tips to help you have the best possible reunion.
  
• What If I Have Sleep Problems? (PDF)
  Provides a list of ten things to do about sleep problems as well as information on nightmares and how sleep problems are treated.
  
• Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Families
  Reintegration is an adjustment for all involved. This guide aims to help families with this process. It covers common reactions that occur following deployment to a war zone, how expectations about homecoming might differ, and discusses what can be done...
  
• Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Military Personnel
  Provides information on common reactions that occur following deployment to a war zone and how expectations about homecoming might diffe. Also discusses the types of problems that can occur and what can be done if they do.
  
• Helping a Family Member Who Has PTSD
  Ways you can help a loved one with PTSD and ways you can help yourself.
  
• PTSD and Your Family
  Family support and how PTSD can impact your family.
  
• PTSD and Negative Coping
  Problematic ways of coping with PTSD that should be avoided.
  

Common Reactions to Trauma

People experience a range of reactions following trauma (see PTSD Information Center for more complete information on these reactions). Here you will find information on what the common reactions are to war zone experiences.

Fact Sheets on Common Reactions to Trauma for Veterans:

• Nightmares
  Explains what nightmares are, how common they are, how they are related to PTSD, and what effective treatments exist.
  
• Anger and Trauma
  Describes the relationship between trauma and anger and provides treatment strategies for the three manifestations of anger.
  
• War-Zone-Related Stress Reactions: What Veterans Need to Know
  Military personnel in war zones frequently have serious reactions to their traumatic war experiences. Most reactions are temporary, but sometimes the reactions continue after service members return home. Here you will find out what these reactions look...
  
• Common Reactions After Trauma
  Following exposure to a trauma most people experience stress reactions. Here is a description of the types of common symptoms that can occur. Common problems are also addressed.
  
• What If I Have Sleep Problems? (PDF)
  Provides a list of ten things to do about sleep problems as well as information on nightmares and how sleep problems are treated.
  

Related Problems

PTSD is just one of the effects of trauma. This section provides information on other related problems that can occur following war and combat, such as traumatic grief, or criminal behavior. More information on related problems can be found in the PTSD Information Center.

Fact Sheets on Related Problems for Veterans:

• Traumatic Grief: Symptomatology and Treatment for the Iraq War Veteran
  Describes traumatic grief and distinguishes between normal and pathological grief. Discusses the assessment and treatment of acute and complicated grief in returning Iraq war veterans.
  
• PTSD and Criminal Behavior
  Summarizes how PTSD is related to criminal behavior and how this relates to legal issues.
  
• Sleep and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  Learn why people with PTSD may have trouble sleeping and what they can do about it.
  
• PTSD, Work, and Your Community
  Learn how PTSD might change things at work, in your community and about stigma.
  

Videos for Veterans and their Families

The National Center for PTSD has a number of videos available to help Veterans and their Families understand trauma and PTSD.
Please note: Videos may be viewed online or downloaded but cannot be purchased or distributed.

• Combat on Many Fronts: Latino Veterans and Family
  This video is to help veterans and others understand the history and cultural issues of Latino Americans and how we can best serve these veterans.
  
• PTSD Among Asian-American and Pacific Islander Veterans: for Vets and Families
  A video for veterans and their families to increase awareness of the cultural aspects experienced by Asian American Veterans with PTSD.
  
• Wounded Spirits, Ailing Hearts (for vets): PTSD Among American Indian & Alaska Native Veterans
  A video for veterans about PTSD in American Indian veterans.
  
• The New Warrior: Combat Stress and Wellness for Veterans and Family
  The latest information to help recently deployed service members and their families.
  
• War on Many Fronts: African American Veterans with PTSD: for Veterans and Family
  This video is to help veterans and families understand the cultural aspects of PTSD when for African American Veterans.
  
• Women Who Served in Our Military: For Veterans and Families
  A video released in 2006 that discusses the role of women in the military.