How to Help an Iraq War Veteran With Depression

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is like a virus running rampant through our soldiers returning from war. Suicides are taking hundreds of soldiers' lives, leaving children without parents and families missing their sons and daughters.Help is out there. Evenif the soldier refuses to speak to someone, you can still offer help, support and encouragement.

Instructions

1. Every PTSD sufferer is different. Every individual is depressed for unique reasons and fears different things. Your veteran may have witnessed murders, rape and devastation and simply can't shake that from his mind, or he may have been forced to commit some heinous deeds that under any other circumstances, he never would have considered. The key to initiating help, is realizing that he is suffering--probably more than he lets on--and he needs help.

2. Just because he needs help, though, doesn't mean he has to seek psychiatric care or medication. He may just need patience. He may need a friend to listen to him. He may need time to adjust to civilian life. He may need a job to take his mind off of things. Try talking to him. If he communicates his fears, great. You are better off than most. But many who suffer from PTSD don't want to talk about it, think about it, address it. Don't force him. Be patient.

3. Keep an eye on him. Don't make him feel like he is constantly under surveillance, but make sure he doesn't overindulge in drugs or alcohol or endanger his or his family's well beings. Allow freedomand on't restrict him from anything unless he poses a serious threat to harm himself. He is not your patient. He is not a prisoner. He is your son/husband/brother. He needs time to cope with his depression on his own terms.

4. Encourage him to make healthy choices: eat three times a day, sleep eight hours and take regular showers. These may seem like simple things, but for an individual suffering from depression, climbing out of bed for daily tasks can be a major chore. Offer encouragement and assistance. Don't wake him up and say, "You need to eat." When he wakes up, offer to make him a sandwich or cereal.

5. Probably the most important step is to know when to hold back. You yearn to help and fix things, but the fact is you can only work at the pace he allows. Give him his space but let him know you are there for him if he needs you.

6. Though you have to hold back, you must also be firm--the catch-22. Many people that suffer from depression may drop further into depression if left to fend for themselves. If this goes on for a while, consult a professional.

Tips & Warnings

• If he begins showing suicidal tendencies, inflicting pain on himself or others, consult a professional for assistance. He needs space, but don't become