Loud fireworks can cause veterans to relive trauma

This article was written by BenitoLink intern Kaitlyn Martinez. Lea este artículo en español aquí.

The Fourth of July is a day of celebrating America but for military veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it can be full of anxiety and fear caused by the triggering noises of fireworks.

According to the American Psychological Association, PTSD can develop when someone lives through or witnesses an event in which they believe there is a threat to their life or physical integrity and safety, and experiences of fear, terror, or helplessness.

About 7% of veterans will experience PTSD at some point in their life, compared to 6% of civilians. PTSD rates differ by service era, significantly increasing since World War II and risk factors like deployment, which triples the likelihood of diagnosis.

Fourth of July fireworks can bring up memories of combat or other gun-related trauma experiences to veterans.

Adam Mendolla, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and is an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, told BenitoLink, “We’ve been dealing with this for so many years and we’ve got younger veterans that are from Iraq and Afghanistan, and they’re dealing with the same problems, and it goes all the way back. And the ones that have experienced this loudness and explosions that we went through, it gives you flashbacks.”

Regarding loud fireworks over the holiday, he said, “Although the sounds are very alarming and it’s hard to put up with some of these loud sounds, the problem is that it doesn’t end after the fireworks and sometimes it doesn’t end after the Fourth of July, it continues. It brings back the trauma.”

Mendolla said he tries to notify his neighbors about firework blasts or sudden explosive sounds and encourages them not to use loud fireworks.

“Just be courteous to your veterans,” he said. “We have more veterans now than before. We have a lot of younger veterans that are dealing with this post-traumatic stress. If you have illegal fireworks, try to keep them away from the neighborhood area, because if you do have them, you don’t know who’s living next to you.”

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs gives these tips for veterans whose PTSD is triggered on the Fourth of July:

Try to remind yourself of the present—what’s happening around you right now rather than the past
Talk with someone close to you about your concerns and invite them to be with you
Use sound-blocking headphones or earplugs

For unexpected fireworks:

Pause to remind yourself that you are safe, even if the memories create a sense of danger
Focus on skills and techniques to ground you in the present moment
Remind yourself that this moment is temporary

Mendolla said he likes to leave town during the Fourth of July and go to a quieter place such as a casino and he knows many other veterans who go camping over the weekend. He encourages veterans to go to the VFW for resources and therapy and to speak with other veterans who understand what they are going through.

Resources for veterans:

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