Addressing Moral Injury and PTSD in Veterans

Anyone can have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or moral injury, but it’s more prevalent among veterans. One study found that 12.9% of veterans experienced PTSD, compared with just 6.8% of the general population. That figure can jump to more than 30% for Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans. Another study found that more than 40% of veterans had at least one form of moral injury.

In veterans, PTSD and moral injury are both usually the result of a traumatic event, but they’re two different disorders. PTSD impacts the nervous system and can cause nightmares and flashbacks. Moral injury impacts the individual’s ethical code and can lead to feelings of guilt and shame.

Both PTSD and moral injury can have a significant impact on mental health, but it’s important to remember that help is available. At Jackson House, we provide residential treatment for military veterans at our facilities in California and Oregon. To begin your journey toward healing, please call (888) 255-9280.

What Is PTSD and How Does It Impact Veterans?

PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s a psychological reaction to an event that’s distressing, stressful, or frightening and is highly common among army veterans, who are routinely exposed to such events throughout the course of their service.

PTSD can develop after exposure to a wide range of traumatic events, such as coming under heavy fire or witnessing loss. In some cases, veterans will develop PTSD after a single traumatic incident, but it can also occur after witnessing multiple disturbing events. 

Common symptoms of PTSD in veterans include:

• Flashbacks in which the traumatic event is re-experienced
• Nightmares related to the event
• Being easily startled and feeling tense
• Experiencing low mood, guilt, and negative thoughts

Dealing with PTSD can make managing daily life more challenging. For instance, many veterans with untreated PTSD find it difficult to maintain close, intimate connections with others, which impacts the quality of their relationships. The impact that PTSD has on the individual’s cognitive function also makes it difficult to concentrate, resulting in employment struggles. To cope with the condition, many veterans self-medicate with alcohol and drugs, leading to addiction. 

What Is Moral Injury?

Moral injury occurs when an individual feels they have betrayed their integrity due to their actions (or lack of action) during service. It’s common among service personnel who, during their service, witness unethical behavior or who feel guilty about the harm they’ve caused others. Moral injury can also occur when you feel abandoned by leadership.

For example, a person may experience moral injury if they caused the death of civilians during combat or if they followed orders that were illegal or immoral. A veteran who changes their belief about the justification of a war can also have moral injury. 

The intense feelings of guilt and shame provoked by moral injury can lead to depression, self-isolation, and a loss of purpose. A veteran with moral injury may avoid spending time with others since they believe they won’t understand, or they may experience a loss of trust in authority or their patriotism. 

How PTSD and Moral Injury Overlap

We’ve seen how PTSD and moral injury are two separate disorders, but they overlap in significant ways. They can both invoke feelings of deep emotional distress and often feel like isolating experiences that no one else understands. This phenomenon can prevent veterans from seeking help, which in turn can worsen symptoms and make recovery more difficult.

PTSD and moral injury can also co-exist, often feeding each other and making symptoms more pronounced. For instance, common PTSD symptoms such as avoidance and hyperarousal make it harder to process moral injury. Similarly, experiencing PTSD flashbacks can reinforce the negative emotions induced by moral injury.

Without treatment, both PTSD and moral injury can result in a wide range of serious issues. It’s not uncommon for veterans with either or both of these disorders to develop substance abuse issues and to engage in self-destructive behaviors. Depression, anxiety, loss of self-identity, and other chronic mental health conditions are also likely. In extreme cases, untreated PTSD and moral injury can both lead to suicidal ideation.

How Residential Mental Health Treatment Can Help

Experiencing moral injury and/or PTSD can be unpleasant, but it’s important to remember that healing is possible. At Jackson House, our residential mental health treatment program is specifically designed to help veterans manage symptoms of these conditions.

Here are just some of the ways that our team helps veterans while they work on overcoming these obstacles:

24/7 Support

We provide round-the-clock support at our facilities, where we offer a safe space for intensive healing and coping skill development. 

Structure and routine

Assimilating back into society can be challenging for veterans. During treatment, we provide veterans with the structure and routine they need to navigate their responsibilities with stability and confidence.

Community and connection

Many veterans struggle with isolation while they’re dealing with PTSD or moral injury. The welcoming community at Jackson House reduces isolation and facilitates peer support.

Therapy and counseling opportunties

Our treatment program includes both individualized and group therapy. During group therapy, patients benefit from healing alongside others who have had similar experiences. During individual therapy, patients receive support and guidance that help them rewire their brains and heal.

Medication and holistic approaches

Our treatment program may include medication or other holistic approaches that help veterans manage symptoms of PTSD and moral injury, as well as improve their overall well-being. 

Residential Treatment for PTSD and Moral Injury

The impact of PTSD and moral injury can be significant and can make managing all facets of everyday life more challenging. But remember: things can get better. At Jackson House, our team of compassionate mental health professionals is here to support you on your journey towards recovery. 

To learn more about how our residential mental health treatment can help you, reach out to Jackson House today.