Family members of Veteran with PTSD have a diminished sense of well being and complain about feeling emotionally distant, frightened by outbursts of anger, or frustrated by the isolation and watchfulness the Veteran imposes. The veterans' family's views of PTSD often are:

• He tries so hard to be perfect that he can not admit when he makes a mistake or needs help.
• He tries to enjoy being with us but his heart is not in it and his mind is always somewhere else.
• For him, every problem is a disaster and we are slow, stupid and never careful or tough enough.
• It is his duty to behave honorably, so I do not want to shame him by knowing I know he is suffering.

Remember, PTSD makes many veterans appear to be angry, remote or distrustful. Their anger is not about you. Their anger may be part of their PTSD, as well as a legitimate response to past frustrations with the Veterans Administration or health-care facilities, the government, the military, or the inability to return to the mainstream of culture. You can recognize and tactfully express concern for their feeling of betrayal due to injustices done them as individuals and as a nation. "It is a huge factor."