NYE can be a struggle for veterans with PTSD: How to help

If weather permits, several towns will be shooting off fireworks as part of their New Years Eve celebrations, but that could spell trouble for veterans with PTSD.

That’s because the sounds of explosions, like fireworks, can make veterans with PTSD feel like they’re in danger.

Their reaction is automatic, and uncontrollable.

Some symptoms you can look out for are avoidance, tensing of the body, or even jumping to the ground once a firework goes off.

Veterans who suffer from PTSD themselves offered some advice.

Sergeant Frank Bolen, a Veteran said, “If you see somebody getting upset or nervous, the best thing to do is maybe try to say hey you doing alright? If they say yeah leave them alone, let them go, if they need some help, want to talk, they will. Most time they’ll get up and they’ll get away.”

Veterans also tell 47ABC you should never approach a veteran with PTSD from behind or make loud noises around them.

If you see someone getting upset and nervous due to your actions, you should stop what you’re doing and let them be.