Managing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Last updated:

On this page

  1. What is PTSD
  2. DVA support for veterans
  3. Getting treatment
  4. Support for families
  5. Information and resources

Back to top

What is PTSD

PTSD is a psychological disorder people may develop after experiencing traumatic events. Veterans generally experience PTSD at higher rates than the general population. You may develop PTSD as a result of critical incidents experienced during your military service.

Following trauma, it’s normal to feel some distress or change to your usual range of emotions and reactions. Most people recover within a few weeks with support from family, friends, or through formal debriefing. If these feelings continue for over a month, it might mean you are experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder.

The main symptoms of PTSD are:

  • avoiding activities, places, people, thoughts or feelings associated with the traumatic event
  • having negative or unwanted thoughts or feelings that make you feel flat, numb, afraid or angry
  • feeling alert or wound-up, making it hard to sleep or concentrate
  • re-experiencing the traumatic event through unwanted recurring memories or vivid nightmares.
Back to top

DVA support for veterans

DVA provides veterans with access to fully funded treatment of all mental health conditions. This means you do not have to pay for your mental health treatment for as long as it is needed. You do not need to prove that your ADF service caused these conditions. We may cover these costs through Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC).

Back to top

Getting treatment

The two best places to start are your GP and Open Arms.

Your GP will talk with you to gain an understanding of what you have been experiencing. They will help you decide what treatment is best for you. They can refer you to a mental health professional or a trauma recovery program. They can prescribe medications if needed.

You can also touch base with Open Arms. Their staff understand veteran and military culture. They provide a range of specialised services:

  • 24-hour free confidential, professional counselling
  • peer support
  • group treatment programs and workshops
  • suicide prevention and resilience training
  • crisis accommodation support

Visit the Open Arms website or call 1800 011 046

Back to top

Support for families

If you're supporting a family member who's living with PTSD, you can get help for yourself through Open Arms.

They can provide free confidential counselling to help you understand and better support your veteran family member. They can also help you to look after your own mental health and wellbeing.

Visit the Open Arms website or call 1800 011 046

Back to top

Information and resources

Back to top
Was this page useful?
Please tell us why you selected 'Yes'?
Please tell us why you selected 'No'?