PTSD and the holidays

Holidays can be a difficult time for some people. For people with PTSD, it can be intolerable.  Zack Brown, a vet from Ardmore is currently facing the holidays as a vet with PTSD. He served in the United States Army for eight years. Brown started his military career as 13M, Multiple Rocket Launch Systems, but transferred to Weapons Specialist. During his tenure, he was deployed multiple times, he said. 

“I am a disabled combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, plus many contract service deployments to multiple countries of conflict.” 

In 2015, Brown was diagnosed with PTSD with extreme depression. Due to his PTSD, he is 90% disabled. Brown said after his initial diagnosis, he was on 12 different medications. The medication combination did not help Brown. In fact, it sent him on a “very destructive path.” Within six months of his diagnosis and medicine cocktail, he contemplated suicide. 

After an extremely rough patch, Brown said he found a way to ease the mental anguish. “I began a blog writing on how I was pulling myself out of the darkness,” Brown said. 

His blog morphed from just his thoughts to a non-profit organization called Casualties of War. The group researches and develops programs to help veterans and first responders successful. Brown also birthed another 501c4, the Tattered Flag Project. They lobby the government to modify and change laws directly impacting veterans who have PTSD.  

Brown said both organizations are thriving. “These organizations are still growing and I have multiple chapters in many cities and states all over the nation.” 

He said he only has one choice, to move forward, and does not let PTSD tarnish everything he has accomplished in the military and out of it. “I hold myself accountable for my actions and I always continue to move forward with a positive outlook on every situation. I don’t allow the label of "PTS(d)" be a name tape on my uniform today.” 

Brown said holidays are tough on vets because it is a bitter “reminder of past times when life seemed better.”  Typically, large family groups gather for holidays, and that is one of Brown’s triggers. “Large groups often tire me out or make me feel overwhelmed,” Brown said. 

There may be non-vocal pressures to join family activities, or the vet feels they must put on a happy face and fake it for the family. Brown said the holidays make him more sensitive to the loss he experienced during his deployments. “Veterans and military families, in particular, tend to remember at the holidays those who did not make it home from war. They may not know how to celebrate the holidays knowing those fallen heroes are no longer present.” 

Even though family and friends mean well, they can accidently be a trigger. They tend to ask the veterans unwanted questions about his or her life after PTSD. Brown said it is important for the family member to be sensitive to the one with PTSD, but it is as equally important for the veteran to “keep in mind that their family may feel some of the same pressures, and may only be asking because they have a genuine concern for their wellbeing.” 

Brown also noted that sometimes, the holidays are the only opportunities for a well-meaning family member to physically see the veteran, and they may feel asking the questions in person is better than asking them over the phone.  

There are many ways that a person, with or without PTSD can alleviate holiday stress. The veteran can talk to his or her family about how they feel. Just the family learning the veteran is stressed can help things quite a bit. The veteran should be honest about their stress levels.  

The veteran should also set limits. They do not need to join activities for any set time period. If it is hard to handle, leave. They should take breaks, get plenty of rest and keep up with exercise routines. 

Brown said sometimes it helps to ‘fake it till you make it.’ “Sometimes, people who are feeling depressed find that if they go through the motions, they just might catch themselves having fun.  While the pain from the past hasn’t gone away, this is a chance to begin making new positive memories one step at a time.