People are gearing up for another festive 4th of July celebration, but while many would be enjoying setting off fireworks, combat veterans who actually had a part in maintaining the freedom could be suffering from anxiety inside their homes.
While Independence Day is a big cause for celebration, everyone should remember to be considerate of veterans whose Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms could be triggered by the sound of exploding fireworks.
This is because the loud explosive sounds, sudden flashes of light, and the smell of gunpowder in the air are similar to what combat veterans experience in a war environment, so it is easy for their stress and anxiety levels to shoot up. It's also not that easy to relieve an anxiety attack once triggered.
No One Is Trying To Stop The Festivities
Some people may see a sign on combat veterans' homes that reads "Combat Veteran Lives Here: Please Be Courteous with Fireworks," but it should be clear to everyone that they are not stopping anyone from celebrating the national holiday.
"I wouldn't ask anybody to limit it because it's a celebration of freedom. And that's what we fight for is freedom," Joe Schneider, a Vietnam War Veteran said.
What combat veterans are asking of people is mostly to give them a "heads up" before setting off loud fireworks so they can mentally prepare themselves in order to avoid triggering their PTSD.
"All we're wanting people to do is to be aware that ... fireworks can be a real trigger for us ... [We] want you to enjoy the holiday. But those fireworks people shoot off at 2 or 3 in the morning? Please don't do that," Kevin Haynes, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran expressed.
Combat Veterans And PTSD
War movies have romanticized what it means to be a combat soldier in the middle of a war, but real combat veterans can attest that the stress and anxiety arising from that chaotic period is a heavy burden.
When triggered, PTSD can cause flashbacks, anxiety, insomnia, and agitation, among others, and could even be dangerous for people around them if the affected veteran's muscle memory causes them to reach for a weapon and defend themselves.
"Have some consideration for people ... We're not a bunch of crazy old men out there. We're tired. We don't want to bring that back up again," Iraq veteran Dan Cardwell appeals.
Studies have also shown that PTSD can re-emerge after several years, therefore, just because a combat veteran neighbor seems stable does not mean they won't experience an anxiety attack. A little consideration really goes a long way.
