Canada left Afghanistan in 2014, but ten years on, the war continues in the minds of many veterans. Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) estimates that at least 10% of veterans who have served in a war zone will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while others will experience at least some of the symptoms associated with the disorder. PTSD is generally caused by witnessing traumatic events.
Exact figures on the prevalence of PTSD among Canadian servicemen and women are hard to come by. What we do know is that over 40,000 servicemen and women have served in Afghanistan, which, according to the VAC estimate, would mean that at least 4,000 veterans have suffered or are still suffering from post-traumatic stress. These figures are very conservative: in the US, the rate of PTSD among veterans is estimated to be closer to 16%. Some figures suggest the number is as high as 40% if we count those who remain undiagnosed – because they don’t seek treatment for their problem. It goes without saying that shame is an important factor.
PTSD is often characterized by nightmares and flashbacks in which people repeatedly and involuntarily relive the traumatic event. It is accompanied by persistent fear and severe anxiety. People suffering from PTSD will often avoid places, people, activities or objects that might remind them of the traumatic event. This often leads to social isolation.
PTSD can cause significant distress, interfering with daily functioning at work and in personal relationships. It is a serious public health problem, affecting not only individuals but their families and society in general.
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I’m a veteran of Afghanistan, but thankfully I don’t suffer from PTSD. However, in the last two years I have experienced depression and anxiety disorders that have led me to experience some of the symptoms felt by people with PTSD. Without going into details, I can tell you that it makes life very, very difficult. Depression and anxiety have a major impact on day-to-day functioning.
After hiding my mental health problem for 22 long months, I finally opened up to my friends and colleagues. Much to my surprise, the response was overwhelmingly positive. I was ashamed of what I was going through and genuinely thought I would be judged by my peers. While I thought of words like “weakness” and “cowardice” my friends responded with “courage” and “resilience”.
Equally surprising was the number of veterans and military personnel still in uniform who have confessed to me that they had suffered, or still suffer, from constant stress and anxiety. According to my estimates, at least 30 to 40% of the veterans and current serving military personnel I meet experience or have experienced mental health issues at some point. A colleague simply said to me “welcome to the club”, as if I had just discovered a large secret society that had long existed on the fringes of the society I know.
Opening up to my world was a major step towards healing, and today I feel that my mental health problem is a thing of the past. I’m under no illusions, however, that there’s a vulnerability in me that could one day bring back those difficult times.
Why do I open up publicly about these issues? Because I want to help break the taboo surrounding mental health, especially among veterans. I’ve realized that there are three distinct audiences for my writing: those who suffer themselves, the caretakers (parents, friends), and those who, still today, don’t understand what it’s like to suffer from PTSD, anxiety or depression.
This article is my way of raising awareness and paying tribute to those who have served under the flag and carry the scars.
I was in combat in Kosovo. It was at 25,000’ above ground, so nothing like what you went through Eric. 20 years later, I went through a couple of traumatic events and was diagnosed with PTSD. The flashbacks were of being shot at, with tracer fire, 200 miles inside hostile territory. We were alone in the airplane, so if you were shot down, there was nobody to help you. I’m doing better now, but VAC wasn’t much help…
Tony,
I’m sorry for what happened to you but thanks for sharing your story. Our brothers in arms need to hear these, but also the public who doesn’t know about what some of us have been through.
Eric