One director says you should have a plan in place to prepare veterans for potential PTSD triggers this weekend.
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A report from the Institute of Medicine in 2014 found only about half of the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who needed treatment for PTSD were getting it. “They do the same thing”, said Gourley, whose husband becomes anxious at the sound of fireworks, paces back and forth and searches for ways to guard his family.
In particular, fireworks during the Fourth of July can cause discomfort, anxiety, and stress for people who have PTSD.
The signs come from a non-profit called Military with PTSD, and it’s sending them to vets across the country.
Its always been understood that certain veterans, ironically, dont go to Memorial Day parades and the Fourth of July, he said. If not, we’re just letting everybody in the neighborhood know.
On the Fourth of July, the sounds of fireworks are hard for veterans like Ewing. He realized he was suffering from PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, after returning from his first deployment.
Officials are warning people to be courteous of veterans when shooting off fireworks this weekend.
As the holiday celebrations get underway, Cotter asks that you stop to think about combat veterans.
“I think people wonder how you can be courteous with fireworks”.
Doctors said it’s usually the sight, smells and sounds you do not expect that trigger PTSD symptoms.
The group meets at 1 p.m. Mondays at Union Church in Avon Park in the library.
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, he wants everyone to make sure you know if a veteran lives near you, and most importantly, not to shoot fireworks at random days and times, especially late at night. “It’s very disorienting; it’s displacing; they cannot realize where they’re at or what is going on”.
Those interested can also donate to help pay for the signs.
While Larry Roberts won’t be joining the group, he supports their effort.
Adams served in Desert Storm and in Kuwait and Iraq.
He said the effects fireworks have on PTSD patients can be traumatic.
What Roberts does to combat his anxieties is to embrace it, in sorts, but surrounded by fellow veterans. He said only consumergrade fireworks are allowed to be privately sold and possessed, regulated based on the number of grams of explosive material present in the product. “I feel like they’ve got my back and I’ve got theirs”. Amphitheater gates open at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited, he said. He’s happily planning to attend.
The city of Tuscaloosa will have a fireworks show over the Black Warrior River at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater Saturday.
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“It’s important for family members and friends and neighbors to be sensitive to the fact that for many veterans, this is not an enjoyable experience”, she said.
