Be Courteous Of Vets With PTSD on July Fourth

If you’re getting ready to celebrate the upcoming holiday weekend with a bang, here’s a reminder to be courteous.

The sound of fireworks, can remind many of independence. But for veterans who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it’s the sound of anxiety.

“It’s a holiday I dread every year just because of the fireworks with the bang and the whistles and it reminds me too much of being down in range and you want to take cover,” said Kihry Williams.

Williams is a hairdresser, who’d rather hear the buzz of a razor, because one loud bang- can trigger a response.

“I take cover, I might drop and duck and run and just things you’re trained to do when you hear those sounds go off,” said Williams.

Mark Wells, a master clinician at Aspen Pointe, works with PTSD patients on a daily basis.

“The PTSD flashbacks tend to take you to a different time and place. So if they are in that situation, they should try to focus on things that you’re here in this room now and not back at war, so things like feeling the weight and body in your chair help,” said Wells.

It’s not just veterans with PTSD that are affected.

“PTSD is not just veterans, PTSD is college students, male and female, children all the way up to older adults,” said Dr. Rachel Lentz, psychologist.

Before you partake in Fourth of July festivities, be mindful of what you could ignite for someone like Williams.

“It’s an enjoyable holiday; please don’t ruin it by lighting your whole batch of fireworks all at once. That causes a lot of stress and a lot more problems,” said Williams.

For more information on PTSD or treatment, there are resources are http://www.aspenpointe.org/innovation/Health+Services-5.html