Fireworks and PTSD

Every year millions of Americans look forward to seeing fireworks displays on the 4th of July, but for many combat veterans fireworks are anything but enjoyable. For combat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) fireworks can be triggers that cause them to relive their worst days in combat. PTSD is developed from having experienced a traumatic event such as mass violence. In fact, 67% of people who have experienced mass violence develop PTSD.

Last year Military with PTSD launched a campaign, Explosion of Kindness for which signs were distributed to combat veterans allowing them to let their neighbors know to be courteous with use of fireworks.

via militarywithptsd.org

By spreading awareness, less veterans were subject to unexpected triggers coming from fireworks being launched near their homes. If you do not know if a combat veteran with PTSD is living near you, consider going to a public fireworks display instead of launching fireworks from your own backyard.

There are 7.7 million American adults suffering from PTSD and one of them might just be your neighbor. When celebrating this weekend please be mindful of those around you.

NECBT intern

Kelly Masotta

NECBT's Interpersonal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

NECBT's I-CBT can help patients to  improve relationships.

In last week's post we discussed the basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as well as how it differs from what we might usually think of when hear the word  "therapy." This week, we are taking a look at the type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that we utilize at New England Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Interpersonal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or I-CBT.

Stars and Stripes Program for Veterans and their Families

LTC Leo J. Cordier with NECBT founder Capt. Thomas A. Cordier

According to the National Center for PTSD, a division of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most effective treatment for PTSD.[1] At NECBT, we offer our own unique Interpersonal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or I-CBT, tailored for Veterans. I-CBT itself has been developed and continues to be overseen by Thomas Cordier, NECBT’s founder, who served for 23 years active duty with the National Guard.

PTSD manifests in different ways for different people. Often, traumatic memories can be triggered by different sounds, smells, and other sensory input. These memories can return at any time and cause nightmares, or even flashbacks. Patients who are suffering from PTSD-related flashbacks might be avoiding people and situations that trigger the memories of their trauma. They also may be censoring their thoughts, avoiding talking, or even thinking about the experience. PTSD can lead to increased levels of anxiety, anger, irritability, frustration, and sleeplessness. Patients might begin to isolate from others, or find themselves suffering from a sense of emotional numbness.

Join NECBT in honoring our Veterans and Military Service Members.

Did you know that New England Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is proud to serve veterans and military service members? We even have a program tailored specifically for military veterans living with PTSD and their families.

In this week leading up to Memorial Day weekend, our staff at New England Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Psychiatry would like to honor and remember our loved ones who have served, or are currently serving, in the military. We invite all of you to do the same.

Please share, either in the comment section on our blog or on our Facebook page, the names of your loved ones, where and when they served (or are serving), and any other details you would like us to know about them. Feel free to include photos as well.

Today, we honor the father of NECBT founder and retired military captain, Thomas A. Cordier,  LTC Leo J. Cordier, who earned a Purple Heart as a glider pilot in World War II.