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Kevlar for the mind: Post-deployment reactions may not always be PTSD

Q. My girlfriend and I were walking through the park when I heard a loud pop and found myself ducking behind a trash can. It turned out to be a kid popping her balloon. I recently got back from Iraq, and my girlfriend thinks I have post-traumatic stress disorder. I’m not sure about that, but I do know I was embarrassed and saw a few people laughing at me.

Witnesses’ typical reactions can range from laughter to using disparaging terms — “crazy,” “shell shock,” “fried” — as they walk in the opposite direction.

As a psychologist and service member, I’m always bugged by this. Not only is it disrespectful to the veteran, but it makes light of what is sometimes a symptom of a more serious problem: PTSD.

PTSD is caused by exposure to a traumatic experience such as witnessing a friend die or being personally faced with a near-death event. Symptoms include flashbacks, sleep problems and avoidance of things that remind you of the event.

Being startled by loud noises does not automatically mean that you have PTSD. It means that you have one symptom of a disorder, but not necessarily the disorder itself. An exaggerated startle response, or hyperstartle, is very common among returning combat veterans and in most cases does not lead to a diagnosis of PTSD. Yes, it can be annoying and embarrassing, but it typically goes away with time.

Here are a few things you can do in the meantime:

• Remind yourself that it’s normal. This happens to many troops after deployment. You are not crazy, fried or burned out. If it helps, talk to fellow service members. You will probably find most of them experience hyperstartle to some degree.

• Train your body to function at a lower level of stress through deep breathing, tensing and relaxing your muscles, and thinking of a happy place. Being stressed out all the time can make you jumpier.

• Laugh at yourself. It’s always important to not take yourself so seriously. Humor is a great way to overcome the physiological excitement your body goes through after being startled.

Hyperstartle can still be a sign of a more serious problem. If you notice a negative change in your mood, work performance or home life, or if you develop any new symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks or insomnia, seek the help of a mental health or medical professional.