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• Common Reactions to Combat and Operational Stress and Trauma

Exposure to combat and operational stress affects service members in many ways. While some of these effects can be positive, many service members experience lasting emotional scars. Being deeply impacted by what you did and what you saw is to be expected. For some, the psychological and emotional wounds run deep and make it hard to move on and function effectively in various roles (e.g., parent, co-worker, partner, friend).

Here are four important things to know:

1. You are not alone.
2. This is not about weakness.
3. You deserve to heal and recover from the invisible, psychological wounds of war as much as you would deserve the best care for the physical wounds of war.
4. Help is available.

Staying informed and learning ways to manage and cope with what you're experiencing are key in the readjustment process. Some common reactions to combat and operation stress and trauma are listed below. Keep in mind that these post-traumatic reactions can present themselves at varying times and to varying degrees from individual to individual. If your reactions interfere with your life, do not improve, or worsen over time, please take the steps to get the help you need and deserve. For more information and tools to get started, check out Restore Warriors™.

Reactions to combat and operational stress and trauma may include:

• Problems concentrating or making decisions
• Having disturbing dreams and memories or flashbacks
• Feeling hopeless about the future
• Feeling numb or lacking interest in anything
• Having a negative view of the world or other people
• Guilt and shame
• Avoiding people, places, and things related to stressful operational experiences
• Feeling on guard, constantly alert, or jumpy
• Being irritable or having outbursts of anger
• Having trouble sleeping
• Feeling detached or withdrawn from others

Read next section or go back to Combat Stress Recovery Program page.

Restore Warriors™

Restore Warriors is an anonymous website with resources and self-help strategies for warriors battling the invisible wounds of war, such as PTSD, combat and operational stress, or depression.
Learn more!

Useful Resources

Here are a few helpful resources:

WWP Connect™
WWP Resource Center
How can I find help?
Project Odyssey™

Project Odyssey™

Project Odyssey is an outdoor, rehabilitative retreat that helps warriors overcome combat stress through shared experiences with peers and connecting with nature.
Learn more!