Colorado Veteran shares his recovery journey in honor of PTSD Awareness Month

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- June is Veteran Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, Awareness Month. Officials at Mount Carmel Veterans Service Center are urging friends and families of veterans to understand the signs and triggers of PTSD.

Hans Drupiewski, a clinical intern for Mount Carmel Behavioral Services and a veteran, shared his own experiences with PTSD. He said the diagnosis came after 23 years in the army and multiple deployments; including to Afghanistan and Iraq.

“When I was over there, I had this perception of people and the world that everything was bad. That people are inherently evil," said Drupiewski.

His experience is not uncommon amongst veterans. Kirsten Belaire, the director of Behavioral Health at Mount Carmel, said more than 50% of their clients experience worry and anxiety; two key indicators of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“When we experience a traumatic event we recognize somewhere in us that we have lost control of that moment or that event," said Belaire. "Our journey of recovery is regaining our sense of control and empowerment.”

Drupiewski said his internship at Mount Carmel has been a huge part of his recovery journey.

“I work with a lot of clients who have PTSD and helping them helps me still with my own PTSD. It desensitizes it even further," said Drupiewski.

Officials at Mount Carmel believe the PTSD recovery process is not one to be walked through alone. They are urging anyone who is experiencing or seeing the signs of PTSD to get help. For some veterans, untreated PTSD can be deadly.

“One of the most heartbreaking consequences (of PTSD) is the completion of suicide. Our rates here in Colorado are higher, as are the rates in the veteran population in general," said Belaire.

Signs of PTSD to look out for:

• Anxiety and worry
• Sadness and depression
• Sleep problems
• Distractibility symptoms
• Lack of Motivation
• Withdrawal from people
• Irritability and anger

Contact Mount Carmel Behavioral Health at (719) 772-7000.