Since October 2001, about 1.6 million U.S. troops have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
These military members and their families face unique challenges. Soldiers deal with stressors in combat that may not exist in civilian life.
Those exposed to high levels of combat are significantly more likely to experience acute stress and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Learn more facts.
It is not unusual for servicemen and women to suffer feelings of fear, anger, sadness, and worry when returning from deployment. Adjusting to family life can be difficult for everyone. Get tips for soldiers and veterans and families and friends.
Mental pain can be as serious as physical pain, however, and help is available for active and veteran military members and their families. Learn what treatments work and where to find help.
Watch a video of a Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall, a combat photographer who experienced PTSD. See how she got help.
The Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program provides clinical care and support services to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in New England who experience combat stress or traumatic brain injury. Home Base also provides counseling for families, including spouses, parents, children, and siblings.
BraveHeart: Welcome Back Veterans Southeast Initiative — Our mission is focused on helping people in the Southeastern United States get help for PTSD. Emory University and the Atlanta Braves have teamed up to offer veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and their family members a variety of expert support resources.
ADAA Resources
- Talking to Children and Teens After a School Shooting - Blog Post
- How to Prevent Trauma from Becoming PTSD - Blog Post
- Be There for Women Veterans in Your Community - Blog Post
- Trastorno de Estrés Post-Traumático - Webinar
- PTSD: What I Should Know About Current Treatments - Webinar
For Professionals
- Using e-Health to Increase the Reach of Evidence-based Treatments for PTSD: Lessons Learned from the Web-PE Studies
- It Works, But How?: Examination of Mechanisms of Change in PTSD Treatment
- An Introduction to Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD
- Identifying and Treating Moral Injury-Based Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Military Service Members and Veterans
Additional Resources
Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment
Helping Children Cope During Deployment
Talking to Children About Terrorism and War
A parent's military deployment can give children anxiety and stress
Trending Articles
- Cohen Veterans Bioscience Releases Harris Poll Assessing Awareness of PTSD in U.S. Military Veterans
- Recognizing Women Veterans with PTSD: A Small But Growing Population
Spread The Word
Please tweet, post on Facebook, or add the links to your own website — whatever works to get the word out that you are not alone and help is here!
@Got_Anxiety
Men are less likely to seek treatment. Find a therapist in your area. http://treatment.adaa.org
Tips for soldiers and veterans adjusting post-deployment. http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/military-military-families/tips-soldiers-and-veterans
Seeking help is a sign of #strength, not weakness. http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/military-military-families/find-help
Did you know social anxiety disorder is equally common among women and men? Find out more. http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder
Tips for families and friends. http://www.adaa.org/tips
Anxiety disorders are treatable, and the vast majority of people with an anxiety disorder can be helped with professional care. http://www.adaa.org/finding-help/treatment
Some 40,000 military members who have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan have been officially diagnosed with PTSD since 2003. http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
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