Fourth of July fireworks may cause fear for veterans with PTSD
The Fourth of July is usually filled with food, family and fireworks — but for some veterans it’s a day filled with fear.
“For veterans it is a special time because they are patriotic, they love the flag they love the parades. But with their backgrounds and some of the things they’ve gone through in war, the noise, it can be something that brings back bad memories for them,” said veteran Bill Young.
Many people don’t realize for some veterans fireworks bring back memories of gunfire and can trigger post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“It’s the suddenness. It’s not maybe expecting it. They handle it much better if they’re looking at it and expecting it. But if not, it might bring back memories of being in war or if they were somewhere else where a sudden explosion meant somebody got hurt,” Young said.
Veterans said they don’t want others to stop shooting off fireworks but rather they just want a warning before they’re shot off.
Now a national campaign by Military with PTSD is bringing awareness to the annual issue — calling it an “Explosion of “Kindness.
It’s a way to educate the public on the challenges of PTSD with signs warning neighbors of the issue.
So far the organization has sent out more than 2,500 signs.
Psychologist Barbara Van Dahlen said family, neighbors and friends should give a heads up if including fireworks in a celebration, and ask if that’s OK.
“It may engage your family or your neighborhood in a conversation that hasn’t happened. It would be really lovely and valuable on this birthday, where these are the men and women that fight to make sure we have freedom,” Van Dahlen said.
Young agrees and said a simple courtesy can be the difference between a stressful holiday and a happy one.
“I think any kind of awareness is a good thing. A lot of people just aren’t aware they’re just doing what they think is normal and natural, and they’re not aware that that person might be ultra sensitive,” Young said.
