Common Reactions and Red Flags
Identify Common War Zone Stress Reactions
Following deployment, most individuals experience at least some of the items listed below. These are common reactions and these things do NOT automatically mean someone has more serious problems like PTSD:
- Nightmares and sleep difficulties
- Frequent memories or flashbacks
- Reckless driving
- Anger and irritability
- Preoccupation with safety, over-protective, overly watchful
- Worry and hyper-vigilance
- Increased drinking, smoking
- Depression/numbing
- Withdrawn and sullen most of the time
- Avoidance of people or places
- Returnee may show changes in mood/ behavior, spouse may also
- Problems at home and work
- Tired or irritable
- Reports of problems from spouse, friends, and co-workers
- Unable to resolve conflicts with others
Red Flags
Although the symptoms above are normal following the traumas experienced during war time, these same reactions may require professional assistance IF the person is:
- Still experiencing these symptoms more days than not after 6-8 weeks
- Experiencing symptoms that are interfering with home life or work
- Abusing Substances (alcohol, nicotine, drugs)
- Experiencing large changes in mood, behavior
- Having suicidal thoughts, gestures, comments*
- Threatening harm to self or others
- Arrested/incarcerated
- Committing assaults/domestic violence
*If someone is in crisis, please call 911, go to your nearest Emergency Room, or call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) (Spanish/Español 1-888-628-9454).
Key Resources
If problems in day to day life are occurring, encourage the person to seek assistance by suggesting some of these key resources. Seeking assistance is working to solve the problem.
