Anxiety In Veterans

VETERANS HELP GROUP

Anxiety In Veterans

Have you ever felt anxious for no reason, overwhelmed and panicked in a crowd, or had the feeling your body was causing your heart to race, your breath to speed up, and sometimes even sweat to bead down your face?  If you answered yes to any of these, you are not alone, anxiety in veterans is a very common condition.

If you’ve experienced any of the above, you could potentially be suffering from anxiety. By definition anxiety is a nervous disorder characterized by a state of excessive uneasiness and apprehension, typically with compulsive behavior or panic attacks. However, everyone experiences anxiety differently and has different triggers that bring on the onset of panic and distress.

According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, mental health conditions like anxiety are among the most claimed service-connected conditions in veterans. Rates of anxiety are typically higher for military veterans, especially when the veteran has been in combat. However, more commonly than not anxiety is typically associated with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Although the two have many similarities, a veteran can just as easily be diagnosed with GAN (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) as PTSD. Both pose as a disturbance to one’s mental well-being and cause a variety of symptoms to present themselves.

Why Do Veterans Suffer From Anxiety?

Several reasons bring on the onset of feelings of despair and anxiousness. Veterans experience so many things they might not go through in the civilian world. Veterans are conditioned to push forward through the hardest of times and complete the mission at hand always. In the moment, one might not understand the complexity or significance that event might hold. But like most things, time uncovers the strength that moment may hold on a person and their well-being.

Anxiety is brought on by traumatic events and typically stems from a trigger of some sort. This trigger may cause a veteran to experience what is called an “anxiety attack”. In veterans, a trigger initiates the fight or flight reflex, and your body has no choice but to respond. In most cases, you are in a safe place (like a shopping mall) but your body and mind are bringing you back to a traumatic event and it feels more real than when you initially experienced it. During that moment, your body experiences feelings of uneasiness, apprehension, and worry such as your heart racing, tightness of the chest, or pure panic.

How To Identify If You Are Experiencing Anxiety Symptoms?

There are many different ways to determine if what you are experiencing is considered anxiety. Anxiety can range from mild to severe and can be pretty intense for some.

According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, Department of Veteran Affairs, physical symptoms of anxiety can include:

• Feeling restless, jumpy, or on edge
• Excessive worrying about everyday decisions
• Difficulty concentrating
• A racing heart or cold, clammy hands
• Trembling or twitching
• Having trouble catching your breath
• Feeling dizzy, nauseous, or lightheaded
• Difficulty sleeping

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is best to speak to a licensed and trusted health professional. When recollecting the episode, try to remember what you were doing before/during that might have triggered the feeling to escalate.

What Are The Most Common Anxiety Disorders In Veterans?

There are many ways in which a veteran may experience anxiety. One thing to consider is the confusion around whether an anxiety attack stems from your anxiety disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V) describes reoccurring anxiety and panic attacks may indicate an anxiety disorder. Although no two veterans are the same, their anxiety may fall under a specific category or type based on the symptoms they display and the context of the incident.

Social Anxiety may cause one to feel anxious in a social setting. Many variables play into this such as volume, size of the crowd, and surroundings.

Generalized Anxiety is a more consistent feeling of worry and angst during daily activities. One may struggle to control or stop these worries and it may affect their everyday life. Worry can stem from anything like work, relationships, health, etc. Some additional symptoms that present themselves here are tension, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and inability to relax.

Panic Attacks tend to reoccur with extreme fear and discomfort. During a panic attack symptoms are more physical and can appear as heart palpitation, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, or developing a tingling sensation. In an episode, one might feel out of control and erratic. Most times when a person experiences panic attacks continuously, they may begin to avoid specific situations to deter from experiencing those types of symptoms.

Phobias are a strong fear in response to a particular object or circumstance. Specific phobias may come to light when events happen consistently or bring up feelings from a traumatic event in the past.

What Are Some Ways To Treat Anxiety In Veterans?

Depending on what kind of anxiety you are experiencing will determine what kind of treatment might be most beneficial. The VA offers many effective treatments and resources to help veterans tackle their anxiety. Evidence-based therapies are one of the most effective treatments for anxiety.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is on the list and has proven to be very effective. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a short-term treatment that focuses on the anxiety the veteran experiences and the community the thoughts and feelings around it. CBT is focused on identifying and neutralizing thoughts and triggers that evoke fear by implementing a new skill set.

Medication is another form of treatment but may be in combination with therapy and will depend on the veteran and their provider. Medications may offer the opportunity to reduce symptoms while trying to regain prior levels of function for the veteran.

Veterans Help Group Is Standing By To Help You

Not everyone responds the same to treatment, so you need to work with your provider to determine what form of treatment is best and most effective for you. Veterans Help Group Veterans Help Group understands the severity of anxiety and the toll it takes on you both physically and mentally. Contact one of our advocates today to discuss how we can help you at 855-855-8992.