VETERANS suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be struggling to manage the condition by themselves because they are unaware of their symptoms, says a former army photographer.

After spending more than two decades in the army, Alan Pike has seen the devastating effects PTSD has had on his fellow veterans, and is urging them to seek support.

Based in Haverfordwest, Change Step is a peer mentoring and advice service delivered by and for veterans, which aims to help service men and women readjust to life outside the forces.

It also works with ‘blue light’ emergency service workers, trauma survivors, and families of those experiencing PTSD.

Alan, who re-trained as a peer mentor with Change Step after retiring from the army, said getting used to civilian life – on top of coming to terms with often traumatic experiences – proved difficult for many people, and could leave them feeling detached, angry or alone.

“Being in the army changes your perception of life,” said Alan.

“You can’t come straight off the battlefield to shopping with the wife in the supermarket.

“Your tolerance to everyday situations is lowered, because of the extreme situations you’ve seen, simple things like watching a horror film can make you feel overwhelmed.”

Last month, 37-year-old soldier Dylan Jones – who spent time at Brawdy – took his own life just a month before he was due to get married.

The father-of-two from Carmarthenshire was suffering from PTSD after serving three tours of Afghanistan.

His fiancé has since called for more help for veterans, who she said often struggle to cope with the ‘outside world’.

“Throughout life, you’re told what to do and when; through childhood, school, then right the way through the ranks, your life and everything you do is mapped out, even down to medical and dental appointments,” said Alan.

“When you leave, you have to start from scratch, and learning all these new skills at such a late stage can be frustrating.”

Intense physical or emotional reactions to previously ‘normal’ situations or experiences, loss of interest in activities or loved ones, difficulty in communicating feelings, increased anxiety, lack of concentration, and fear of the future could all signal an underlying problem.

In an attempt to mask or hide these feelings, many turn to alcohol or drugs, and can find themselves in debt, facing housing or employment problems, and unable to build or maintain healthy relationships.

“Servicemen are fiercely proud people,” said Alan. “Quite often if they’re struggling they feel they can’t go back to the army and ask for help because it will make them look weak.”

But, he said, charities like Change Step can provide a safe, confidential space for veterans to talk about their problems with people who understand their experiences.

“When they come here, they’re not going to be ridiculed, they’re not going to be laughed at,” he said.

“It’s not just about getting better, it’s about trying to find that naivety and innocence you had before you went away, when you didn’t automatically think the worst was going to happen.”

Peter (not his real name) struggled with alcoholism after leaving the army, which had affected his relationships with his family.

Thanks to the ‘camaraderie’ of Change Step, he now feels more confident about the future, and will soon be starting a horticultural course, organised through the charity.

“The first time I came, I automatically felt at home, because everybody has been in the same position,” he said.

“The old thing of ‘we band of brothers’ is true, we all have those same things in common.”

As well as offering continual support, funding to attend therapy and counselling sessions, and advice on accessing benefits and managing money, Change Step can also help people access training and education, and offers a peer mentoring courses for volunteers who would like to get involved.

Alan said it was vital people did not struggle in silence, or wait until their symptoms worsened.

“If you can’t cope, if anything is worrying you, seek help,” he said.

“Just come down, make a brew, and ask any questions you have. We can point people in the direction to get the right sort of counselling and support they need.”

Change Step is based at Allied House, near Swan Square, in Haverfordwest. A drop-in session is held on Fridays between 10am and 4pm.

Alternatively, you can visit the Change Step page on Facebook, or telephone 0300 777 2259 for more information.