While millions of Americans joyfully celebrate the Fourth of July with backyard barbeques and fireworks, military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder may choose to avoid the celebrations.<\/p>\n
\n The fireworks can trigger severe anxiety and panic attacks in
\n those suffering from PTSD, causing flashbacks to times of war,
\n the US Department of Veteran Affairs said in a news release.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIt\u2019s upsetting to most veterans with PTSD. It\u2019s something
\n they try to avoid,\u201d<\/i> Dr. Jeffrey Fine, director of one of the
\n department\u2019s PTSD programs, said in the release. As a result,
\n some veterans choose to stay home or celebrate America\u2019s day of
\n independence in a quiet area.\n<\/p>\n
\n But John E. Mundt, a clinical psychologist at the Jesse Brown VA \n “The bigger problem is all the smaller fireworks that start \n The sound of firecrackers, fireworks or other loud noises may \n “Even with my recovery, the fireworks will kill me this week. \n Retired Army Sgt. James Roberts, a Florida veteran who suffers \n \u201cI\u2019m always on edge. I\u2019m nervous,\u201d<\/i> Roberts told the \n PTSD victims who recently returned from combat are most likely to \n Cherry bombs in trash cans reminded him of explosions in Iraq, \n Although not every veteran suffers from symptoms as severe as \n “There’s a fireworks stand at nearly every major intersection \n But no matter how many years pass, some veterans may never be \n “I will have to deal with this for the rest of my life,”<\/i> \n And 26-year-old Pete Chinnici, a Marine veteran who served two \n “Even though you’re aware that it may not be anything
\n Medical Center in Chicago, told ABC News that the most
\n significant problem is the smaller fireworks that may be set off
\n before or after July 4<\/span> when veterans least expect
\n them.\n<\/p>\n
\n getting used weeks ahead of July 4th<\/span> and continue
\n getting used for weeks after the holiday sometimes,\u201d<\/i> Mundt
\n said. “Nobody knows when one of these little loud blasts is
\n going to occur. I’ve had clients have flashbacks when kids threw
\n M80s into their alley or backyard, or when somebody lights off a
\n string of firecrackers in their mailbox.”<\/i>\n<\/p>\n
\n remind veterans of wartime explosions, attacks and gunshots,
\n triggering episodes in which they re-experience their trauma \u2014
\n especially when the fireworks come at an unexpected time.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n The [fireworks] stands are all open,”<\/i> Samuel Askins, who
\n served in operation Iraqi Freedom, told ABC. “Just last week,
\n I went fishing and I put the boat in the water when a cherry bomb
\n exploded. I fell out of the boat.\u201d<\/i>\n<\/p>\n
\n from PTSD, told WPTV that he has spent each Fourth of July since
\n returning from Iraq alone at his house in Lake Worth, afraid of
\n the sights and sounds that he may encounter outside.\n<\/p>\n
\n television station. \u201cIt\u2019s like having a constant shot of
\n electricity continuously running through your body.\u201d<\/i>\n<\/p>\n
\n suffer from severe symptoms. Veterans with PTSD often experience
\n trouble sleeping, nightmares, anxiety, fear, and hyperarousal.
\n Askins told ABC that he would lock himself in a closet, afraid of
\n encountering a tornado. He would also drink large quantities of
\n alcohol and take prescription painkillers.\n<\/p>\n
\n and Askins grew paranoid and began hoarding ammunition and
\n weapons. Panic attacks and a suicide attempt eventually landed
\n him in jail, where he said he felt \u201csafer than in the real
\n world.\u201d<\/i>\n<\/p>\n
\n Askins\u2019, celebratory fireworks are often enough to ruin
\n Independence Day for tens of thousands of veterans. A 2012 report
\n from the Department of Veteran Affairs found that 30 percent of
\n the 800,000 veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq are suffering from
\n PTSD. With fireworks easily accessible across the country, they
\n could be going off unexpectedly at any time.\n<\/p>\n
\n around here, sometimes two,”<\/i> David Maulsby, executive
\n director of the Houston chapter of the PTSD Foundation of
\n America, told ABC News.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n able to participate in the annual celebrations of America\u2019s
\n birthday.\n<\/p>\n
\n Askins said.\n<\/p>\n
\n tours in Iraq, told NBC that no matter how much he tells himself
\n that fireworks pose no risks, he cannot stop his symptoms from
\n flaring up.\n<\/p>\n
\n dangerous, probably just fireworks, your body still goes through
\n the response,”<\/i> he said.\n<\/p>\n