Serving in the military is a life-long goal for many people. There can be immense pride and sense of purpose for people who have given their time and expertise to the armed forces.

Although expected, in doing so, members can be exposed to experiences, situations, and sights that can be extremely stressful and traumatic. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is common in military members. The effects of military-related trauma usually show up after a tour of duty or at the end of a military career, although they can be experienced while still in service.

Military members may be more prone to trauma and PTSD due to:

• Lack of control over the length, type, and location of deployment

• Ongoing routine of exercises or deployments regardless of how disturbing or traumatic the previous exercise or deployment may have been

• Repetition of experiences within the service for a long time (stress is cumulative)

• Grief through the loss of other members being killed or seriously injured in the line of duty

• Grief due to suicide of a peer

• Experiencing the death of a child or civilian during deployment

• Working under extreme pressure from superiors and other military personnel

• Experiencing unrelenting situations and feelings of helplessness due to overwhelming demands (such as being in a constant state of anxiety due to the threat to your life)

• Dealing with physical injuries sustained in service

• Difficulties adjusting to life outside the military

Symptoms

You may be experiencing some or all of the following common symptoms: