Managing Your Illness

Learn the signs of when anger and irritability might be out of control. Hear stories from Veterans. Find treatment options for anger and irritability.

Some Veterans try to cope with uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, people, or situations through avoidance. Professional support provides the skills to learn how to meet obstacles head-on and face difficult thoughts, feelings, and memories.

Learn the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder. Hear stories from other Veterans. Find treatment options for bipolar disorder.

Veterans describe the impact that difficult experiences had on their spiritual and religious lives. Each person's journey is unique, but there is a shared sense of hope in these Veterans' true stories. Whether renewing their faith or finding a new spiritual path, Veterans are discovering ways to overcome challenges.

After serving, some Veterans seek out risky situations for a thrill. Other Veterans may act recklessly without thinking about the consequences. Hear stories from these Veterans, who realized they needed a change after living on the edge. With counseling and treatment, they made changes and are living more fulfilling lives.

Difficult experiences can be harder to cope with when it feels like no one, not even family or friends, understands what you went through. Connecting with other Veterans and reaching out for support can help to overcome isolation and increase enjoyment of life.

Veterans who experienced physical injuries talk about their experiences. As they recovered and transitioned from the military, they faced difficult circumstances. Reaching out for support helped them overcome their challenges. Listen as they share stories of strength and resilience.

Hear from Veterans who found ways to overcome feelings of guilt. After experiences such as surviving when others died, feeling remorse for something they did, or being unable to serve with their units, hear them talk about steps they took to understand and process their experiences and feelings to move forward with their lives.

Many Veterans feel on edge after returning from deployment or living through a stressful situation. Hear Veterans discuss situations that set them on edge and how, after seeking out support, they were able to manage their triggers and cope better with daily life.

Some Veterans find that they feel numb and lose interest in things they used to enjoy. Others start to feel hopeless, which may lead to thoughts of suicide. By reaching out for support, these Veterans connected to resources for recovery, including counseling or the Veterans Crisis Line. Learn how they discovered ways to enjoy life again.

Veterans who have experienced TBI, including some who didn't know they had a traumatic brain injury until later, talk about their experiences. Listen as they describe the signs and symptoms of TBI and its effects on their families. By reaching out for help, they were able to overcome these obstacles and live better lives.

At least some anger is necessary for survival. Frequent or intense episodes of anger, however, aren't good for you or the people around you. If you find yourself boiling mad more often than not, try some of these tips to keep your temper in check.

Veterans dealing with PTSD or anxiety can improve with exposure therapy. With professional guidance, this therapy exposes Veterans to situations and sensations that lead to difficult reminders of traumatic events. After learning effective coping skills, Veterans learn ways to deal with their reactions and get back to moving forward with life.

Sometimes change brings unexpected rewards. This is a good time to look for all the ways you can be involved in life. Challenge yourself. Don't be afraid, or think of yourself as limited.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is sometimes called shock therapy. This may sound painful, but ECT doesn't hurt. It's often the safest and best treatment for severe depression. It can treat other mental disorders as well.

Families, spouses, or friends are often the first to suspect that their loved one is challenged by feelings, behaviors, or environmental conditions that cause them to act disruptive, rebellious, or sad.