What Is PTSD and How Does It Affect Veterans Long-Term?

Introduction Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common yet misunderstood mental health conditions affecting veterans. For many, it doesn’t begin with explosions or firefights. It begins after the silence settles in—the silence after loss, grief, trauma, and unspoken memories. PTSD can stem from combat, but it can also arise from deeply personal experiences like the death of a loved one, survivor’s guilt, or long-standing emotional pain. This week, we’re starting with the basics: What exactly is PTSD, and how does it impact the lives of veterans well after their service ends? As someone who has walked this path personally, I want to share what PTSD really looks like—not just in clinical terms, but from the inside out.

DeLano McVay

3/30/20252 min read

Understanding PTSD

PTSD is a mental health condition that develops after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. While it's often associated with military combat, it can also be triggered by other distressing experiences such as the unexpected loss of a family member, serious accidents, or physical or emotional abuse.

Symptoms of PTSD may include:

  • Flashbacks or nightmares

  • Hypervigilance or being constantly on edge

  • Avoidance of places, people, or memories linked to trauma

  • Emotional numbness or detachment

  • Irritability, anger, or outbursts

  • Feelings of shame, guilt, or hopelessness

For veterans, these symptoms are often compounded by the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life. The structure, purpose, and brotherhood of military life can be difficult to replace. When combined with trauma, the result can be overwhelming and isolating.

My Personal Journey with PTSD

I didn’t realize it right away. My PTSD didn’t come from a battlefield—it came from losing my sister in a freak accident. She went in for a dialysis appointment and never made it home. Her death shattered me and my entire family. I tried to hold everyone together, but inside, I was crumbling.

I turned to alcohol and cannabis to cope. I couldn’t get through the day without numbing the guilt of being alive while my sister was gone. During my final years in the Coast Guard, I was a functional alcoholic. I refused to ask for help because I didn’t want to appear weak.

Even after leaving the service and starting a job with the Department of Veterans Affairs while pursuing my master’s degrees, I was still silently suffering. The breaking point came years later when my niece—my sister’s middle child—was killed in a car accident. That loss, followed by my mother’s strokes, made me question whether life was worth it.

But I was lucky. Someone was looking out for me. I never reached out for help, but I should have. Many of my fellow veterans don’t get that second chance. I share my story not for sympathy, but to let others know they are not alone. PTSD doesn’t have to define us, but it does demand attention, compassion, and treatment.

Long-Term Effects of PTSD on Veterans

The long-term effects of untreated PTSD can be devastating. Many veterans experience:

  • Relationship breakdowns due to emotional withdrawal or anger issues

  • Job instability from difficulty focusing or dealing with stress

  • Physical health issues, including chronic pain, high blood pressure, or substance dependency

  • Suicidal thoughts and increased risk of suicide

PTSD can also affect memory, concentration, and even decision-making skills, making it harder to reintegrate into everyday life.

But it’s important to know: There is hope. Veterans can and do recover. Through therapy, support groups, medication, and community, healing is possible.

What Veterans Can Do If They Suspect PTSD

If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t wait. Here’s how to start getting help:

  1. Talk to Someone You Trust – It could be a family member, friend, or fellow veteran.

  2. Contact the VA – They offer specialized PTSD treatment and counseling services.

  3. Call the Veterans Crisis Line – Dial 988 and press 1.

  4. Join a Peer Support Group – Sometimes talking with others who’ve been there makes all the difference.

  5. Consider Therapy or Counseling – PTSD is treatable with the right care.

Final Thoughts

PTSD is not a weakness. It’s a real, valid response to trauma—and it’s more common than many realize. As veterans, we are taught to be strong. But true strength comes from recognizing when we need help and being willing to reach for it.

To my fellow veterans: Don’t suffer in silence. Your story matters. Your healing matters. And most importantly, you are not alone.

In the weeks ahead, we’ll continue exploring key topics around PTSD and veteran wellness, including treatment options, support resources, and stories of recovery. If this article resonates with you, share it. You never know who might need to read it.

With strength and solidarity,
DeLano D. McVay
Veteran Advocate & PTSD Survivor