Impact of PTSD on Family, Social, and Work Relationships

A constant sense of facing life-threatening danger can lead veterans to be emotionally distant, constantly on-edge, and overprotective. Consequently the veteran may be unable to listen attentively or speak calmly, may engage in war-like behaviors in and around the family home (constant "perimeter" checking), and may avoid responsibilities in a number of important areas (such as wage-earning, parenting, or lawful behaviors). Families often feel that they now live in a "war zone."

"I was taking counseling sessions at the vet center ... The counselor asked about [my husband], how long he was in Vietnam.... And I said, ‘I went there, too.’ He said, ‘You were in Vietnam?’ So I said, I don't think you understand. I'm in Vietnam sixteen years, every day. I gotta live with it every day."

In some cases family members or friends have been directly traumatized by the veteran's violent rage, or by witnessing violence done to others. In other cases they were not exposed directly to trauma, but have had to alter their entire way of living, feeling, and thinking in order to adjust to the veteran's PTSD. Intimate partners often find themselves living with a cold, withdrawn, or hostile stranger instead of the person they used to love and be loved by.

"[My husband] experienced a lot of ... they're called flashbacks. They were scary.... One night we were sleeping. And all of a sudden, I'm slammed out of sleep, because he grabbed me and threw me down. And I remember looking into his eyes. They were, like, dead. No feeling. I just had a horrible feeling like he was gonna kill me. And then, he kind of snapped out of it."

Symptoms of PTSD often interfere with work and education by disrupting attention and concentration. The irritability and anger problems that result from trauma can create difficulties with co-workers and bosses, attendance, and job performance.