A common real-life example of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is seen in combat veterans, though it can affect anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event.

Take the case of U.S. Army Sergeant Michael (name changed), who served two tours in Afghanistan. In 2012, his convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). The blast killed two close friends sitting just feet away and left Michael with a traumatic brain injury and shrapnel wounds. Physically, he recovered, but the psychological impact lingered.

Years after returning home, Michael developed classic PTSD symptoms. Loud noises like a car backfiring or fireworks triggered intense panic attacks; he’d drop to the ground, heart racing, convinced he was under attack again (a flashback). He avoided driving under overpasses or past trash on the roadside common IED hiding spots in Afghanistan. Crowded places made him hypervigilant; he’d constantly scan for threats and sit with his back to the wall.

Sleep was nearly impossible. Nightmares of the explosion woke him screaming several times a week. He felt detached from his wife and children, describing himself as “emotionally numb,” and turned to alcohol to quiet the constant anxiety. Simple family outings became battles he’d snap or withdraw without warning (irritability and angry outbursts).

For years Michael thought this was “just how life is now” until a fellow veteran encouraged him to seek help through the VA. With therapy (Cognitive Processing Therapy and EMDR) and medication, he gradually learned to manage triggers and reconnect with his family.

Michael’s experience reflects how PTSD can develop after life-threatening trauma and affect every part of daily life relationships, work, sleep, and sense of safety often years after the event itself.