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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder And Resilience Supported By Community
A form of anxiety disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a diagnosable mental health condition described by symptoms including reliving a traumatic event, often via vivid flashbacks and nightmares, feeling ‘on edge’ and socially isolating.
PTSD can occur as a result of a traumatic experience which someone may have experienced or witnessed while doing their job, whether by those on the front line emergency services or from being in the military.
PTSD is sometimes triggered by a single traumatic incident. However, it can also come from a culmination of highly disturbing events. This is why anyone who has experienced traumatic events can develop PTSD or Complex-PTSD.
What Is Complex PTSD
Complex PTSD is a fairly new term. Professionals have recognised for a while that some types of trauma can have additional effects to PTSD. According to Mind these may include:
- difficulty controlling your emotions
- feeling very angry or distrustful towards the world
- constant feelings of emptiness or hopelessness
- feeling as if you are permanently damaged or worthless
- feeling as if you are completely different to other people
- feeling like nobody can understand what happened to you
- avoiding friendships and relationships, or finding them very difficult
- often experiencing dissociative symptoms such as depersonalisation or derealisation
- physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, chest pains and stomach aches
- regular suicidal feelings.
‘I wasn’t able to sit down with my problems. I was doing anything to avoid facing reality, and when the quiet times came they were completely overwhelming. I got to the stage where I felt nothing. It was as if there was nothing inside me.’ - Al Hodgeson, championship skydiver injured in Northern Ireland as part of the Parachute Regiment
Complex PTSD may arise for a number of reasons, including:
- the trauma lasted for a long time
- escape or rescue were unlikely or impossible
- you have experienced multiple traumas
- you were harmed by someone close to you.
These factors highlight the risk that members of the Armed Forces are exposed to during conflict.
My Story Al Hodgson
From Your Mental Health
Al Hodgson is the first person ever to learn to skydive, post-injury, after becoming a double amputee. He has represented Great Britain at the World Skydiving Championships multiple times, winning three medals, in addition to six national gold medals in freestyle skydiving with his teammate and wife Pixie.
"I left home at 19 to join the Parachute Regiment and my first posting was an emergency tour in Northern Ireland. Six weeks in, I stepped on an improvised explosive device placed by terrorists. I owe my life to the guys who were with me; despite the huge risk of there being a secondary device they stayed with me and kept me alive long enough for a helicopter to take me to hospital, where I was placed in a coma. I lost both legs, had 17 fractures to the pelvis, abdominal lacerations and a broken left arm. I severed the tendons to my left hand and had a cavity inside my body from the shock of the explosion.
Since the incident, I’ve been constantly looking for ways to fill the void. I did a lot of outdoor pursuits and then discovered skydiving in March 2000 and I did most of my 8,000 jumps in the first 10 years.
I didn’t care about myself and my own safety. I didn’t really care about anyone or anything. I was only feeling two emotions – sadness and anger – and all I was interested in was finding ways to make myself numb to them.
After a psychological assessment, I was diagnosed with PTSD. I realise now that I’d had the symptoms for years but didn’t recognise them. I can be staring out the window for hours and lose connection with my senses, time and who I am, something called ‘dissociation’. I also have hyperarousal, common in PTSD, where I am constantly irritable, angry and startled by certain things. I always thought that I had a short fuse, but when I think back to those times when I have gone from 0 to 10 with anger, it’s not normal or acceptable."
Resilience Supported By Community
A number of charities work within the Armed Forces veteran community to tackle mental health issues, including PTSD. This important work brings care and resilience to those suffering with their mental health, plus their family around them.
Turn To Starboard
Turn To Starboard is a sailing charity based in Cornwall that focuses on helping those from the emergency services, frontline NHS and the Armed Forces. They offer sailing training via RYA courses, plus get families and groups out on the water to reconnect.
Turn To Starboard Share How They Help:
“Research has shown that for a significant number of Armed Forces personnel moving back in to civilian life after time spent on deployed operations can be a huge shock. Readjusting to ‘normal’ life can be a real challenge.
Those who have experienced hostile and often austere conditions can find it difficult to share their experiences, even with their loved ones – yet the same may not always be said for Armed Forces personnel in a group. We have repeatedly witnessed that it is often easier to share experiences with others in a similar position.
“Sailing is known to provide elements that mirror the ethos of Armed Forces life, such as team cohesion, the challenge of adventure training and leadership skills.” - Turn To Starboard
It is vital that, as a country, we provide these individuals with opportunities for sharing and understanding if they are ever to move towards a successful future with their families.
Many of us at Turn to Starboard know what it is to return from military operations and the challenge this transition can impose on us. We understand what it means to meet the unique demands placed on us by service life and we are committed to supporting these individuals on a positive path for their future.”
Discover the life-changing work by Turn To Starboard by visiting their website here: Turn to Starboard
Combat Stress
Combat Stress is another organisation that supports the Armed Forces community through mental health support for conditions including PTSD.
Combat Stress are the leading UK charity for military vetrans with. They have helped former servicemen and women with their mental health problems such as PTSD, anxiety and depression for over a century, having been established in 1919.
Their confidential helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for veterans and their families by calling 0800 138 1619. Find out more about Combat Stress, plus their available resources on their website here: Combat Stress
PTSD and Complex PTSD affects the lives of not just the people suffering with the mental health condition, but also their wider families. That’s why the work of these community support services are so important, plus that diagnosis and treatment is easily accessible when needed.
Further Support Resources
According to the NHS, you should see a GP if you are still having problems about 4 weeks after the traumatic experience, or if the symptoms are particularly troublesome. If necessary, your GP can refer you to a mental health specialist for further assessment and treatment.
The mental health charity Mind shares a range of resources to support mental health challenges including conditions such as PTSD.
Mind’s support line for personalised guidance and support is Infoline:
- Infoline 0300 123 3393
- Support via email is available via info@mind.org.uk
- Side by Side is Mind’s supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. They’re available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call 116 123
For reading more about mental health and understanding PTSD, Your Mental Health created in partnership between Enigma Wellness and MQ Mental Health shares lived experience stories and the latest research.
Visit Your Mental Health here.
For more information on the latest research on PTSD, visit MQ Mental Health Research here.
