One common symptom of PTSD is ANGER

Anger is a powerful emotion and is experienced for many reasons.

Anger can be expressed with physical and emotional agitation, frustration, indignation, exasperation, hostility or extreme displeasure.

Anger can be expressed physically or emotionally towards oneself or to others.

Aggression can be acted out as a result of the anger causing the veteran to engage in destructive behavior towards their self, others or property.

Aggression may manifest in verbal attacks, violent behavior, general hostility, threats being made towards self or others or agitation. It can take control of the strongest of persons and take on a life of it's own.

Anger and aggression can and almost always lead to depression, another symptom to be discussed later on.

Anger is experienced by many. It can be experienced in a varied degree from mild to extreme rage. When anger is expressed appropriately, the outcome can be positive, promoting growth and facilitating change. When expressed in a negative or dangerous way, the result is hurt feelings to self, family and friends, injury, and physical or emotional illness. This is when anger turned inward causes depression.

Many veterans are not aware of the angry feelings at first. It can take a month, a year or even decades before this anger reaches a point that is recognizable to the veteran, or it is pointed out by professionals or others to the veteran. But they say usually, the anger will rise to the surface sooner or later and the "volcano" will blow. Most will not understand the full force anger has on the veteran unless you have been there, have walked there and have experienced it. That is why it is always good for the veteran to talk with those who understand rather than keep them bottled up inside which causes problems. You must get to the point where you realise that there is safety and understanding in sharing your anger before it gets to the breaking point. Anger can and will effect relationships with family, with friends, with neighbors and with work.

For me, I think I have waited to long, and have destroyed the relationship with many I know and care for. For this I apologize, but realise that it is too late to change those consequences. My councilors say different, but I still can not see changes or undoing what has already happened. It just doesn't work that way. But we will see what happens as time goes by and my treatment progresses.

Next time I post, I think it will be about denial symptom.