The Fourth of July can be a stressful time for veterans. The fireworks displays will cap off a weekend of celebrating, but for some who have served our country, the celebration can bring reminders of gunfire in a war zone.
Ed Wagner is a Vietnam veteran and the chairman of the Federation of Southern Arizona Veterans, and he said hearing a loud pop without anticipating it can immediately cause feelings of PTSD.
"It's almost like an electrical shock going through your body making you tremble," said Wagner of when feelings of PTSD hit. "It can be nausea, it can be a headache. It can be all different kinds of triggers for different people, but they are all uncomfortable."
Wagner said if you aren't a vet, but you know someone who is, there is something you can do to help.
"Maybe check with that neighbor whose a vet and say we're going to do this and the awareness is a great consideration if you know it's gonna happen," said Wagner.
Wagner says expecting the loud noises can be enough to keep PTSD from triggering.
