Fireworks displays can be stressful for anyone with PTSD
What is Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that some people experience after experiencing something painful, frightening or life threatening. If you have PTSD, you may have nightmares and flashbacks of the event that triggered your symptoms. You may also avoid certain situations because they remind you of what happened in the past.
People with PTSD may also experience severe anxiety and fear as well as depression, anger or irritability.
You can get treatment for PTSD through psychotherapy (talk therapy) with a therapist who specializes in treating trauma disorders; medication; stress reduction techniques such as yoga and meditation; support groups for people with similar experiences; family therapy if other family members are affected by the trauma; and art therapy, music therapy or animal-assisted therapy (for example having an animal companion at home).
Can fireworks trigger PTSD ?
Fireworks are loud and sudden. That’s why they’re used as a weapon in war, after all. The explosive sound of fireworks can trigger PTSD symptoms such as anxiety and intrusive memories in people who have been diagnosed with PTSD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
People with post-traumatic stress disorder may experience flashbacks—intense reliving of a past traumatic event—nightmares, anxiety and panic attacks, depression. Fireworks make these experiences worse by intensifying sounds that remind them of the trauma they experienced.
The sudden flash of light from fireworks can also trigger PTSD symptoms for those experiencing it for the first time or those who haven’t fully recovered from their trauma yet.
Fireworks displays can be stressful for anyone with PTSD.
Fireworks displays can be stressful for anyone with PTSD, but they pose an additional challenge to those who have experienced trauma. Fireworks are loud and sudden, which means they can trigger your fight-or-flight response and cause you to feel anxious or afraid.
For people with PTSD, fireworks displays may also bring up difficult memories from the past. Research shows that exposure therapy has been shown to help people manage their symptoms of PTSD by gradually exposing them to whatever triggers their anxiety in safe environments. However, this type of treatment is not always available or helpful for everyone. If you’re looking for ways to cope with fireworks without relying on medicine or therapy, here are some suggestions:
What Steps you can take
The best way to handle the fireworks is avoidance. If this isn’t possible, try to limit exposure by going indoors or away from the noise before it starts. If you can’t do that, plan ahead and make a plan for where you will go if you have to be around fireworks. This might include making sure that your windows, doors and curtains are closed as well as having earplugs on hand in case they start early or last longer than expected. Grounding techniques like deep breathing exercises may also help with managing flashbacks during this time of year.
It’s OK to ask someone not set off fireworks on your property or when you’re visiting their.
It’s a good idea to ask your neighbors and friends not to set off fireworks near your home. If they have a problem with that, you can always tell them that it’s making you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. You are entitled to privacy and peace of mind in your own home.
If someone does decide to light off fireworks on their property after you’ve asked them not too, it’s OK for you to call the police. It’s good for the police department too because they can let people know about their policies regarding fireworks use (and encourage them to follow those policies).
While fireworks can be stressful for people with PTSD, there are steps you can take to reduce the impact. If you’re experiencing symptoms like anxiety or intrusive memories in response to the sound of fireworks this Independence Day, try taking some time away from the display, remaining calm yourself and using grounding techniques. You can also plan ahead by avoiding locations where there will be large scale fireworks displays and telling others not on your property or visiting that they shouldn’t set off any firework on their own either (especially during peak times like July 4th). Finally, if all else fails then consider getting professional help from a therapist who specializes in treating PTSD – as well as other mental health issues such as depression.
Additional Resources
Yes, fireworks can trigger PTSD[1] [2] [3] [4]. Fireworks have a strong link to PTSD due to their loud and sudden noises, which can cause involuntary flashbacks [2]. Random explosions of fireworks can also trigger a startle response in people with PTSD [5].
- The Overlooked Effects of Fireworks – Penn Medicine
And fireworks serve as a very significant reminder of these experiences, PTSD or no. So this really does impact people. It really disrupts sleep ..
patient.info - Managing PTSD during fireworks season – Patient.info
Fireworks have such a strong link to PTSD, as any loud or sudden noise can be a trigger. This can cause an involuntary episode of flashbacks, …
everydayhealth.com - 5 Ways to Manage PTSD Symptoms During Fireworks Season
Although beautiful to behold, fireworks displays are triggering for people with PTSD, many of whom struggle with loud noises. Michelle Pugle. By …
peacehealth.org - How to manage PTSD amid 4th of July fireworks – PeaceHealth
But personal fireworks and illegal firecrackers set off randomly anywhere, at any time, can trigger PTSD. Months of trauma. With the pandemic …
uofmhealth.org - Coping with PTSD During Fireworks Season – Health blog
The random explosion of fireworks can trigger a startle response in people who have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)