Summersville, WV (WOAY) – Fireworks are a fixture of the Fourth of July, and this year’s America 250 celebration will bring even more of them to skies across the country. But for people living with post-traumatic stress disorder, the holiday can be an incredibly difficult time.
Brad Lemley, a mobile crisis responder with Seneca Health Services, said PTSD is rooted in trauma that surfaces in different ways.
“It’s a reaction to sustained trauma. It can present itself in various forms, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, depression, various other symptoms that will present themselves. But typically it’s just a response to the trauma,” Lemley said.
The holiday can be particularly difficult for veterans. Lemley said the distress often comes not only from the explosions but from the buildup to them.
“For veterans especially, trigger factors is the explosion itself. It’s a reminder a lot of times of combat experience or difficult situations. And so it’s not just explosions, it’s the anticipation of what’s coming. Once people start lighting up those fireworks unexpectedly, it can really trigger a strong startle response, memories, intrusive thoughts, and some people flashbacks,” Lemley said.
While the country’s 250th birthday is worth celebrating, Lemley said there are simple steps people can take for loved ones or neighbors who may be struggling.
“They can find alternatives to fireworks, watching it on TV, possibly going to a professional fireworks display where you kind of anticipate what’s going to happen. Or notifying your neighbors, if you have neighbors that you know are veterans, say hey, we’re going to be doing this at a certain time. That way they can prepare for it. And even just asking if they’re comfortable with it,” Lemley said.
Lemley said there is also a point when someone should stop trying to manage alone and reach out for help.
“When it’s interfering with the person’s ability to just maintain daily activities, that’s one time to reach out. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-888-SENECA9. That’s our mobile crisis line. We can provide a mobile crisis where we come out to their home, or we can meet them somewhere in the community as well,” Lemley said.
Seneca’s message for the Fourth is simple: if you’re struggling, there is help available.
