It is understood that combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects the warrior, but combat PTSD doesn’t just affect the person suffering it, it also affects those around him (or her) and the effects of combat PTSD on children are just recently being recognized. When the person suffering combat PTSD is a parent, he can turn his home into a combat zone.

Anger is a completely normal response for a person put in a life-threatening situation, and, of course, in a combat zone, that’s exactly what you’re in. Anger is even a helpful response during these times as it focuses you and gives you the energy to fight for your life. Anger is part of your survival instincts. However, if you have combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), when you get home from combat, you may find yourself unable to turn off that anger. You might find that you’re reacting to everyday events with the rage that’s appropriate for a combat zone – not a grocery store. The anger of combat PTSD can negatively impact your family, work and social life.