UBCNews - Business - What Does PTSD Look Like In Veterans? Therapists Talk Symptoms & Statistics

Episode Date: November 24, 2025

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling a really important topic: PTSD in veterans. The statistics are sobering, and understanding what this condition actually looks like can help us support those who've served. I'm joined by a therapist who works directly with veterans. Thanks for being here. A Mission for Michael (AMFM) City: San Juan Capistrano Address: 30310 Rancho Viejo Rd. Website: https://amfmtreatment.com/

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling a really important topic, PTSD and veterans. The statistics are sobering and understanding what this condition actually looks like can help us support those who've served. I'm joined by a therapist who works directly with veterans. Thanks for being here. Thanks for having me. This is such a critical conversation and I'm glad we're having it. Yes, of course. So let's start with the numbers. How common is PTSD among veterans? Well, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that approximately seven out of every 100 veterans will confront PTSD at some stage in their lives, compared to about six out of 100 in the general population. But the rates vary quite a bit depending on which conflict we're talking about. Right, so it's not one size fits all. Exactly. For veterans who served in operations Iraqi freedom and enduring freedom, studies show the prevalence ranges from about 11 to 20 percent. For Vietnam War veterans, the estimated lifetime prevalence ranges from roughly 19 to 31%.

Gulf War veterans show rates between about 2 and 13%. Those numbers are really significant, especially for Iraq and Afghanistan vets. They are. And there's another important piece here. Approximately 20% of women veterans experience PTSD compared to about 8% of men. A lot of that is related to military sexual trauma, which is a major trigger along alongside combat exposure. Oh, wow. That's striking. It is. And you know, I think people sometimes assume PTSD looks the same for everyone,

but the way it shows up can be really different person to person. Absolutely. So when we talk about PTSD and veterans, what does it actually look like day-to-day? So PTSD symptoms generally fall into four main categories. The first is intrusive memories. Unwanted, recurring, distressing memories of the traumatic event, veterans might experience flashbacks where they feel like the trauma is happening all over again, or they'll have upsetting nightmares. And those flashbacks can be triggered by something pretty ordinary, right? Absolutely. A loud noise like fireworks or a car backfiring can send someone right back to a combat zone.

It's not just remembering, it's reliving. I had one client tell me that every 4th of July felt like a war zone all over again. He'd have to leave town just to feel safe. Wow, that's really something. It is. The second category is avoidance. Veterans will often avoid situations that remind them of the event, crowded places, loud or overstimulating environments.

They might also withdraw from family and friends or lose interest in activities they used to enjoy. So they're trying to protect themselves from those painful reminders, even if it means isolating themselves. Right. The third category involves negative changes in thinking and mood. We're talking persistent negative emotions, difficulty establishing trust, feelings of guilt, shame, remorse. It's hard for them to feel happy or find meaning in things. Oh man, that's heavy. Yeah. It really captures the isolation. And then the fourth category is changes in physical and emotional reactions, what we call hyperarousal. Veterans experiencing this will feel constantly on alert, often uneasy and unfamiliar situations. They're always on guard for danger.

Like they can never fully relax. Exactly. They may have difficulty sleeping, be prone to anger or irritability, startle easily, or engage in self-destructive behavior like substance abuse as a coping mechanism. Some veterans joke that they've got the best parking lot awareness of anyone, always backed into a spot, scanning for exits, but it's really exhausting to live that way. I can imagine. That point about hyperarousal and self-destructive coping sets up our next piece. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. Veterans struggling with PTSD deserve compassionate expert care.

A mission for Michael provides residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and virtual treatment programs in Southern California, with a two-to-one staff-to-client ratio and master's or doctorate-level clinicians, AMFM combines evidence-based therapies with holistic approaches in comfortable home-like settings. Learn more at AMFM Treatment.com. Picking up on those self-destructive coping mechanisms, what happens when veterans don't get treatment for PTSD? Well, PTSD rarely exists in isolation. Roughly 80% of people with PTSD have one or more additional mental health diagnoses.

Among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, 63% diagnosed with PTSD. substance abuse problems were also diagnosed with PTSD. So these conditions really feed off each other. Yeah, they do. Depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance abuse are all common co-occurring conditions. These symptoms can challenge daily activities and overall quality of life, disrupting relationships, and a veteran's ability to function. In other words, PTSD doesn't just affect the individual. It ripples out to every part of their life. Right, makes sense. So what treatments have been shown to work?

Trauma-focused therapies are considered the gold standard. Cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization, and reprocessing, EMDR, and exposure therapy, have all shown strong results. These therapies teach skills to manage symptoms and change thought patterns. And there are medication options too, right? Definitely. medications like certraline and paroxetine can help manage symptoms of depression and anxiety associated with PTSD. They work by balancing brain chemicals, though it may take a few weeks to notice effects. Have you ever wondered how many veterans actually know these treatments are available to them?

That's the real challenge. Awareness and access are huge barriers. But the good news is that with the right resources and support, recovery is absolutely possible. Veterans need to know they're not alone in this. So to everyone listening, if you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out for help is the most important first step. The treatments we've talked about today, they work. Understanding the symptoms and statistics helps us create a community that truly supports our veterans. I couldn't agree more.

Recognition and compassion make all the difference. Thanks so much for breaking this down with us today. This has been incredibly informative. and I hope it helps our listeners better understand what veterans are going through.