Is It Possible for Non-Combat Veterans to Develop PTSD?

Many Americans are aware of the existence and prevalence of PTSD. That’s shorthand for post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s fairly common for soldiers to return from combat zones with PTSD because of what they’ve seen and experienced.

Any vet struggling with PTSD can get help at a veteran treatment center. There are some great ones around the country staffed with mental health professionals who can treat current or former soldiers with PTSD.

What some people wonder about, though, is whether it’s possible for non-combat veterans to also develop PTSD. We will discuss that in detail in the following article.

Is This Circumstance Possible?

First, let’s answer whether a non-combat vet can develop PTSD. The answer is yes, absolutely, this can happen. It’s possible for virtually anyone to develop this condition if the circumstances are right, and non-combat vets are not exempt.

What Are the Most Likely Scenarios Where a Non-Combat Vet Can Develop PTSD?

There are several situations where a non-combat veteran can develop PTSD. Dealing with the military-industrial complex in any capacity has the tendency to be traumatizing if the individual in question is not suited to the work. You might have a soldier who never sees combat, but the demands of the training have a negative effect on them. The training alone might be enough to traumatize them.

There are also many individuals who experience sexual assaults while in the military. This happens disproportionately to female soldiers, but it can happen to male ones as well. As you would expect, this is a situation where a soldier who never sees combat can develop this condition.

There are also hazing situations that happen sometimes in the military. When this occurs, it’s usually because the other soldiers perceive one of their numbers as being weaker or unable to handle the rigors of military life. This can lead to the soldier being hazed developing PTSD, even if they never see combat or are deployed to an active military zone.

What Can Non-Combat Vets Do Who Develop PTSD?

If a non-combat vet develops PTSD, the worst thing they can do is try to ignore it, thinking that it might go away on its own. They may be able to live with it for a while, but it will probably manifest in harmful ways sooner rather than later.

A soldier with PTSD, even if they never saw combat, might start drinking or using drugs to deal with the emotional and mental anguish that can go along with this condition. They may also struggle to hold down a job. Their relationships with their friends, family members, or partners can deteriorate.

They need to seek treatment. This usually involves talking with a counselor in a one-on-one setting, or sometimes group counseling is more effective. They will usually want to learn some techniques for battling the feelings of panic or disorientation that can go along with their condition.

If you’re a non-combat vet who has received a PTSD diagnosis, make sure to get the help you need.