This year’s Fourth of July celebrations promise to be epic, marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
But for some veterans, the bangs, flashes and noise from fireworks blasting in the night sky can be a nightmare.
However, Dr. Nikki Wooten, an Army veteran and professor at the University of South Carolina College of Social Work, believes there are suitable ways veterans can still enjoy the holiday without being emotionally and physically triggered.
“The debris created by fireworks can remind them of the debris from roadside bombs, IEDs, explosions, and mortar attacks,” Wooten told Military.com. “The sounds can remind them of incoming mortar attacks, missiles and explosions and the smells can remind them of explosions, burn pits and roadside bombs. Olfactory senses can initiate some of the strongest reminders of trauma.”
Veterans who haven’t been in combat for decades are suddenly transported back in time to a grim reality, igniting episodes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And the flashbacks can affect close family members as well.
“Living with or being in a relationship with someone diagnosed with PTSD puts spouses, significant others and children at risk for PTSD,” said Wooten, who specializes in post-deployment mental health. “The service member or veteran may disengage from social interactions (including parenting and spouse/partner responsibilities), social events and avoid crowds.”
Stress Starts Weeks Earlier
Wooten, a retired lieutenant colonel, said some veterans feel anxiety bubbling up days before the Fourth of July, as they start to dread large, raucous crowds and ear-splitting fireworks.
“Symptoms of anxiety include sweating, heart palpitations, difficulty concentrating and withdrawal from social interactions and events, including becoming quieter or more agitated than usual and not wanting to participate in activities that one would normally enjoy,” Wooten said. “Some of these responses can occur because of anticipation of triggers or environments that are upsetting.”
But there are ways veterans can reduce the stress without going into hiding.
“Stress reduction strategies include deep breathing, taking walks, exercise, yoga, meditation, guided imagery and use of virtual reality stress-relieving programs,” Wooten said.
Clearing Up PTSD Myths
Wooten served in the Army from 1989 to 2022. She spent time at the Pentagon, serving in the U.S. Army Operations Center and the Domestic Operations Center while in the District of Columbia National Guard. Besides her extensive social work background, Wooten’s 33 years of military experience give her a first-hand perspective of the mental health challenges veterans face.
While PTSD is more common among veterans than civilians, affecting 7 out of 100 former service members, there are stigmas often attached to veterans and mental health disorders.
“The most common misconception is that everyone who served in the military has PTSD. Most service members and veterans are resilient,” Wooten said.
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