New Year’s is a time of change and looking forward to the future. It’s when we make resolutions to encourage positive change in our lives, and vow to follow through with those goals while keeping a hopeful and optimistic outlook. But, just as the new year brings hope and change, it also comes with lots of crowded parties and loud fireworks blasting all around us. For people with PTSD, especially our nation’s veterans, New Year’s celebrations can be incredibly stressful and triggering. Here, we’ll take a look at what PTSD is, how it affects veterans, and coping with PTSD triggers during New Year’s celebrations.
What Is PTSD?
First, let’s take a look at what Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, means. PTSD is a mental health disorder caused by a person experiencing a frightening, dangerous, or otherwise traumatic event that leads to troubling flashbacks, memories, and/or nightmares. A person with PTSD may be triggered by any events related to that trauma, and the stress of these triggers interferes with daily life as the individual experiences mood issues, avoidance, and even changes to the brain’s response to fear.
How Are Veterans Affected by PTSD?
PTSD often happens after incredibly stressful events, and there is nothing more stressful than war. From rocket barrages and mortar fire to gunshots, the sounds, smells, and sights around explosives are terrifying to some. These are life-or-death scenarios, where long-lasting scars are sometimes made on the mind.
Veterans with PTSD are often triggered by the sounds of explosions, rockets, lights flashing, and the ground shaking. So it’s no wonder that they cite the Fourth of July and New Year’s celebrations as their two main triggers. It’s important to note that veterans aren’t the only people who may experience these triggers, as anyone who survived in war zones or were impacted by a shooting are also prone to PTSD from such annual celebrations.
Preparing for Triggering Situations
PTSD is how a person unconsciously reacts to stimuli that resemble whatever trauma they previously experienced. Therefore, the best way to ensure that your holiday isn’t one of fear and anxiety is to be proactive and communicative.
For example, if you’re going to a New Year’s Eve party, ask if there will be fireworks. Communicate with your neighbors and ask if they’re going to be lighting fireworks at their homes. Explain your PTSD to whatever degree you feel comfortable.
There will be times when parties and plans for fireworks can’t or won’t be stopped, and not engaging in events organized by towns or cities can be challenging. In these situations, avoiding areas where fireworks are likely to be used is your best bet. The sound of fireworks can travel pretty far, which could still be enough to trigger a PTSD episode, so, if possible, rent a secluded Airbnb on New Year’s Eve. Ask the people renting the property if there are usually fireworks visible or within earshot.
Traveling is easier said than done for some people, though, and it’s not like you can canvas your whole neighborhood and get everyone not to use their fireworks. So if you can’t prevent the trigger, what else can you do?
Tips for Dealing with Holiday Triggers
Fireworks can be unavoidable on holidays, and it seems with every passing year that more and more people are setting them off. If you don’t have the luxury of traveling to a place free of fireworks, you can still cope with PTSD triggers in a number of ways at home.
To start, it’s best not to go out after dusk on New Year’s Eve or the Fourth of July. Since that’s pretty early, get your outdoor activities out of the way in the morning. Being outside can be relaxing in and of itself and help to calm your nerves, but once night falls, it’s best to head inside and move to an interior room of the house to wait out the fireworks. Not only will this keep the flashes of fireworks from your view, it’ll also muffle the sound. If you can use earplugs, it’s a good idea to keep those with you and wear them. Watch TV with the captions on, read a relaxing book, or just go to sleep.
If TV or earplugs aren’t enough, or you find them uncomfortable, try to drown the sounds out with white noise. White noise is extremely effective at covering other sounds and may help you drown out the explosions. You can even buy some sound-proofing foam to put up on the walls and ceilings for this occasion. This can absorb sound and prevent it from reverberating.
Have a Support System
You don’t have to deal with PTSD on your own. Let your loved ones know that you’re struggling, what you need to do to cope with triggers, and even how they can help if you’ll be with them. It may be easier to talk to a best friend or trusted family member only, but it’s important to let everyone hear your side in preparation for holiday events. For most people, the concept of PTSD triggers due to holiday parties or fireworks is foreign to them. With an explanation, reasonable and caring people will discontinue using fireworks if it’s upsetting to you or will be by your side when you need a comforting presence.
Reach Out for PTSD Help
New Year’s Eve should be fun for everyone, and most people are simply unaware of how veterans may suffer with the sounds and sights. Be open with your concerns, and if you need more help, don’t hesitate to reach out to SOL Mental Health for in-person consultation for your PTSD. We offer compassionate therapy for PTSD individualized to your needs so you can overcome traumatic memories while looking forward to living the life you deserve.
