The Best Jobs For Veterans Living With PTSDThis maybe helpful to those of you that are living with PTSD. Thank you, Julia Merrill for your contribution piece to Dabbin Dad!
The Best Jobs For Veterans Living With PTSD
Photo via Pixabay by Tookapic
PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, affects millions of people in the U.S. every year and can occur after a stressful event, recurring abuse, or military combat. War veterans are some of the most at-risk in the population for PTSD, with the National Institute of Health estimating that 31 percent of Vietnam veterans, 10 percent of Gulf War veterans, 11 percent of Afghanistan war veterans, and 20 percent of Iraqi war veterans suffer from the disorder.
Living with the trauma of an event can take a toll on a person’s mental and even physical health, as sleep and eating habits may drastically change due to stress, depression, and substance abuse. In fact, veterans are at risk for drug and alcohol abuse at an alarming rate; according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,more than 2 out of 10 vets who have PTSD also have a substance abuse problem.
Because trauma affects everyone differently, people living with PTSD require varying environments in order to feel safe, and it can be difficult to find employment that caters to their needs. There are some options, however, including some jobs that can be done from home and some that offer the ability to ease back into social situations. Here are some of the best.
Dog walking
Working with animals can be extremely beneficial for sufferers of PTSD, so finding a job that allows you to be around these soothing creatures is a win for both of you. Dog walking can be profitable and will let you choose your own schedule, get some exercise, and bond with an animal at the same time.
Dog boarding
If your living situation allows you to keep a pet, you might consider dog boarding. There could be dozens of pet owners in your area who need a safe place for their beloved dog to stay while they go on vacation or take a trip for work, and in many cases they’ll even bring the animal to you. Making money while hanging out in the comfort of your own home with a loving dog could just be an ideal job.
Outdoor work
Working outside can be highly calming for those living with PTSD, and can allow for a flexible schedule in many cases. Whether it’s gardening, landscaping, construction, or in a research capacity–such as at a university or at a national park–working outside can provide a creative outlet as well as allow the sufferer to choose how much interaction he or she has with the public.
Working with your hands
Assembly, woodworking, and making jewelry are just a few of the things you can do that require a little patience but allow for solitude and a mostly quiet atmosphere. Being creative helps immensely with venting negative feelings, so PTSD sufferers get the most benefits from jobs that allow them to get that bad energy out in a healthy way.
Helping others
The stress of coping with PTSD can be overwhelming, but one of the ways to combat that is to use your experience to help others. Counseling, helping the less fortunate, working with children, advocating for various groups, and caring for the disabled are all wonderful ways to put a bright spin on a negative experience.
Julia Merrill is a retired board-certified nurse practitioner. Over the course of her 30-year career, she strived to bridge the communication gap between those seeking the best medical care and those working to provide it. She created BefriendYourDoc.org with the goal of sharing tips
