Paranoia After The Vietnam War (PTSD)

Vietnam War flashbacks are more than just internet memes—they're tied to real trauma. Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often relive terrifying moments through sudden, vivid memories. Despite the Vietnam War ending in 1975, its psychological impact lingers on.

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Credit:
Simple History Creator: Daniel Turner (B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
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[TheHistoryDogeLovesHistory]

I have a vietnam war veteran on each side of my family. What’s sad is that ever since the war they were never the same.

[Xenonmorph__]

My grandpa was a Nam Vet. When he finally decided to get help around the late 90s when I was born, he became the gentle and loving man I've always known him as. Very different than the angry and aggressive man my father and aunts knew growing up. His dedication to personal growth aspires me in my healing journey. I am forever greatful to my grandpa for showing me recovery is possible.

[loganbrown]

To quote British musician Paul Hardcastle: "In World War II the average age of the combat soldier was 26, in Vietnam he was 19."
I have a cousin on my dad's side who was drafted into Vietnam, while he was out on patrol his buddy stepped on a trip wire and was killed. The shrapnel from the explosive went into my cousin's face. My dad learned this when he was at a family dinner and noticed a purple spot on his cousin's face. When my dad asked what it was, his cousin said bluntly, "It's just a bit of shrapnel working its way out."

[kenshirolucario]

My wife had met a Vietnam war vet once, she told he couldnt stand being near rice or even hear the word rice as he was pow back in the day

[Freddie]

One thing I've always hated about Vietnam is how the troops were vilified but the politicians were the ones truly at fault.

[alexanderleach]

PTSD is the main killer of all vets. Those who served in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan are hit the heaviest.

[Ben-eokr]

It’s terrible what they had to experience during the war, but it makes it even more sad when you see how many of them were treated by the public when they got home

[Jayslittlechannel]

It is actually horrific what happens to the human mind after traumatic experiences. Very sad.

[Bucky]

As one with non combat PTSD ....i feel for Combat Vets 😢

[lordMartiya]

A horrific fact in Disney comics: a Carl Barsk story shows that Donald has PTSD from his service in the Pacific War, complete with flashbacks.
His nephews triggered one while he was sleepwalking, and it wasn't pretty.

[MayumiTakezoC-chan]

My father-in-law is a veteran of the Vietnam war he had a very supportive family and relationship to help him through the times. I know how my mother-in-law feels my husband is a veteran of the South African National defense forces and he had times at night when he was in the back yard sitting on a lawn chair staring or even crying. My husband went to counseling and he like his father got through it. My husband sought to help others by gathering like minded men and women and started a private security company. As a pediatrician i understand the importance of helping other who suffer from PTSD. I found children who suffered abuse and SA and i had to contact the authorities. I will always do my best for those who suffered. I’m a mother too and not turning your back on someone you love will always help.

[Pierceserrano]

If it counts my dad use to be NYPD. Around 9/11 he lost a buddy that during the horrific day. After the tragedy they never recovered his body. During the post 9/11 era my dad did have major stress issues eating him up and just looking back it really felt like a nightmare for him.

[GCJACK]

I have a cousin who flew medivac in Viet Nam. He's so badly messed up by it now that he can't even be allowed to see and hear a balloon being popped because it sets his PTSD off. He goes to counseling and takes meds for it, but those can only help so much when the unseen scars are so deep.

[nightmaretrooper]

My Uncle Chuck has spent most of his youth in The Army served in both Vietnam and Gulf War. He stayed in The Army for decades until 2010. He doesn't mind talking about his time in Combat. Always treat a veteran like they are human beings.

[rhyspayne]

I’ve been a front line police officer for 15 years, I’m 40, married and have 2 kids under 5. I was diagnosed with acute PTSD in December last year, but realised I was showing symptoms for the last 5 years and the main ones suffering were my wife and girls. Responses, attitudes and treatments for PTSD are progressing here in Australia, but more needs to be done. Videos like this raise awareness, understanding and acceptance of PTSD affects, symptoms and causation. Well done.

[mr.bombastic]

My grandpa will sometimes talk about his time in the army… but almost never his time in Vietnam. Like it didn’t exist

[theoneinonehundredthousandth]

My father fought in Vietnam. My mother said she had to wake him up by throwing a towel on him and run out of the room, because he’ll grab his gun and jump out of bed. He couldn’t watch war movies, couldn’t be around firework shows of course, and he couldn’t be around Vietnamese women. He survived getting blown up twice. But he didn’t survive Agent Orange. Vietnam was no joke. I’m a veteran myself but I’ve never been deployed to a combat zone and I’m grateful for that!

[randomizerteleviewage]

Had a family friend who passed a few years ago that escaped a POW camp in Vietnam. My mom told me stories of how the war affected him until he died. The two biggest examples I can remember was her telling me that she witnessed him speaking fluent Vietnamese in his sleep, likely memories of what his captors were saying because he didn't actually know the language himself, and the second instance on a brighter note was the time my mom made some kind of Indian dish upon inviting him over for dinner one time and it was his first time eating rice since the war and kind of broke him of that trauma so to speak. Miss you Rick

[brose]

Yeah, my father in law was at Khe Sahn and he's got the whole package. He doesnt do rice or fire works. Im an Afghanistan veteran . Most of my trauma stems from rough upbringing and driving truck. We have interesting conversations. Im glad he was there for me during the fall of Kabul.

[ChadSimplicio]

Helps explains why some war vets don't want people shooting off fireworks near their homes. Some fireworks sound like artillery shells or bullets whizzing by.