The Untold Story of Trauma: From War Zones to Workplaces – Why Talking Matters Now
Last week, (6th June) as the UK commemorated the 81st anniversary of the D-Day Landings, I found myself listening to the radio and the voices of old soldiers. Their accounts of that day – the sheer hardship and the horrific sights they witnessed – resonated deeply with me. It struck a chord because, like them, I’ve seen things, been through experiences that most people can barely imagine. I’ve been blown up, shot at, stood toe to toe with people who want ot hit me or stab me. I’ve seen some harrowing scenes. Living a life that has shown me the darkest corners of human experience.
The Unspoken Bonds of Shared Experience
Yet, unlike many of the older generation, I’ve always been able to talk about it. I was fortunate to have mentors, peers, and colleagues who understood. This is one of the incredible gifts the armed forces and emergency services give you: a shared understanding, removing the need for words. When you’ve faced unimaginable situations together, you don’t need to explain the unexplainable emotions. A look, a shared silence, or a brief exchange among those who were there is enough. It’s a connection forged in fire, and it allows for an openness that is incredibly cathartic.
I was born in the 60s, and my grandparents served and lived through the World Wars. They would tell us they were in the war, but they never truly spoke about their experiences. They’d change the subject or their eyes would glaze over. Back then when I was a child, I didn’t understand why. But now, after 50 years of my own experiences, I do.
I can tell my others that I was shot at or blown up, but that’s as far as the words go. I can’t convey the feelings, the terror, the chaos of those moments. Those raw emotions, those visceral reactions – they can’t be translated into language for someone who wasn’t there. But with my peers, with those who stood beside me, we can look at each other, and we both understand. We can talk about it because we were there. That’s the unique bond of the emergency services and the armed forces.
The Challenge of Isolation After Service
While you’re in the services, you might hold those feelings down, push them to the back of your mind. But you also have the support of your comrades. You can talk to certain people about what’s happened, and that’s what helped me so much.
The real challenge often begins when you leave the services and lose touch with those old mates. That’s when the isolation can set in. You encounter people who think they’ve had a hard life because they’ve “had to walk”, ‘there is no phone signal’ or “missed a meal.” They can’t possibly grasp the depths of what soldiers – from World War II to Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq – have endured. And when you lose that connection with your peers, when you can no longer talk about those little flashbacks, that’s when the problems can really manifest. Especially for men, who often struggle to talk about their feelings anyway.
PTSD: More Than Just ‘On the Street’
It’s crucial to understand that trauma, and the subsequent development of conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), isn’t solely reserved for the battlefields or the most dangerous frontline emergencies. While the vivid, life-threatening experiences I’ve mentioned are certainly a cause, the reality of complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and chronic stress is far broader. This is particularly relevant for those in high-pressure environments, for decision makers and middle to senior management roles.
Imagine enduring a protracted period of psychological distress within your own organisation. This isn’t about bullets or bombs, but about repeated exposure to scenarios that erode your sense of safety, fairness, and self-worth. This can stem from one-sided investigations where your voice isn’t heard, or where you feel unfairly targeted. It can arise from the frustration of inequality between staff, seeing double standards, or a constant struggle against a system that feels inherently biased. Being consistently dismissed or unheard when raising legitimate concerns, facing bullying, or navigating a toxic work culture can chip away at your mental resilience, leading to chronic anxiety, cynicism, and a sense of betrayal.
These ongoing stressors can lead to similar psychological impacts as acute trauma. Flashbacks might not be of a war zone, but of a hostile encounter. Nightmares might be about work politics rather than physical danger. The feeling of being ‘on edge’ or hyper-vigilant can translate from the streets to the office, making trust incredibly difficult. This sustained psychological pressure can be just as debilitating, leading to burnout, depression, and a sense of isolation, even if outwardly your life seems stable. The invisibility of this kind of trauma often makes it harder to acknowledge, harder to articulate, and thus, harder to heal from.
My Message: Talk About It
My belief is this: talk about it if you can. There are so many peer groups out there now, organisations dedicated to well-being. One I wholeheartedly support is “Trojan Well-being.” Having a group of like-minded people who have been through similar experiences, who understand what you’ve endured, and with whom you can openly speak is invaluable. It’s amazing what happens when you share.
Listening to those old soldiers on the radio last week, openly recounting their moments of seeing the carnage and the death, brought a tear to my eye. I felt transported to where they had been, understanding the immense burden they have carried all their lives. But the most important thing is that they are talking about it. They are passing on their experiences to the next generation, and we need to continue that conversation.
Understanding everyone’s experience is vital for healing and moving forward. For those seeking further support, I encourage you to explore these valuable resources:
- For Veteran Mental Health Support: Combat Stress
- For General Mental Health Support & Peer Groups: Mind or the NHS website on Support Groups
- For Comprehensive PTSD Relief Information: CPTSDrelief.co.uk
- For Building a Mentally Healthier Life: MentallyHealthier.co.uk
If you or anyone you know is struggling with unhealthy habits, workplace stress, or the lingering effects of trauma, remember that silence is not the answer. Taking that first step to talk can be life-changing. As a UK-based nutrition medicine coach, mental welfare coach, and hypnotherapist, I specialise in helping you break free from these cycles and build a healthier, more positive future. Contact me know for a chat.
