Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is one of the most common psychological problems that veterans face when their service is over. Unfortunately, many veterans lack the understanding they need to deal with their condition appropriately. Here are five things you should know about PTSD as a veteran:
- Veterans suffer PTSD at a higher rate than any other group of people
- No single group of people suffers PTSD at a higher rate than veterans do. By some estimates, as much as 20 to 30% of veterans may qualify for a PTSD diagnosis, more than three times higher than the rate of diagnosis in the general population. This is due in large part to veterans being regularly subjected to life-threatening situations, of the sort which are likely to cause PTSD in people who experience them.
- Many veterans may have it and not realize it
- While a massive number of veterans may have post-traumatic stress disorder, only around 13% of veterans have been formally diagnosed with the condition. While this is due in part to veterans refusing to seek treatment for their psychological problems, it is also due to many veterans simply not recognizing the symptoms. Thus, it can be worthwhile for any veteran suffering from psychological issues to be screened for potential PTSD.
- You may have it even if you were never in active combat
- While veterans are more likely to have post-traumatic stress disorder if they were in an active combat situation, that is not strictly necessary. Veterans may also experience PTSD if they were in a serious accident, or if they were victims of sexual assault or other forms of violence. They may even begin showing symptoms of the disorder if they witnessed someone else being seriously hurt or killed, even if they were personally never in harm’s way.
- You can get treatment for PTSD through the VA
- The Department of Veterans Affairs is the single largest healthcare provider in the United States, and it is also the premier provider of PTSD care. If you are a veteran with access to VA facilities, you can get screened for potential psychological issues, including for post-traumatic stress disorder. If you are formally diagnosed, you can then seek treatment, with costs being covered by your benefits.
- A PTSD diagnosis may qualify you for disability benefits
- Post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious medical condition that can have a substantial impact on a person’s ability to work or perform daily tasks. That is why a diagnosis of PTSD can potentially qualify a veteran for disability benefits through the VA. That is why, if you find yourself struggling mentally after coming back to civilian life, you should consider getting screened for PTSD, and seek veterans’ disability benefits for your condition.
The attorneys of Sullivan & Kehoe place a special focus on assisting disabled veterans. Our veterans’ disability lawyers are still available for remote consultation on your legal issues. Call our office at (800) 395-7830 to schedule a consultation in our New York City, Garden City, Kings Park, Riverhead, or White Plains office, or visit our contact page.
