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Topic: “Trouble Sleeping”

Read Stories > Topics > Trouble Sleeping

Learn more and watch videos of Veterans sharing their experiences with trouble sleeping and what they did to get on a path to recovery.

“Do Not Shy Away From Those Difficult Conversations”

How do you persuade a Veteran in your life to seek help for mental health challenges? First, you have to begin the conversation. Members from three Veteran families share what they learned about initiative and persistence in encouraging loved ones to seek and continue treatment — and how their efforts were rewarded.

5-minute read

Family and Relationships, PTSD, Stress and Anxiety, Depression, Trouble Sleeping, Physical Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury

Mental Health Treatment Gives These Veterans a New Start

Addressing mental health challenges can open up new opportunities in family relationships, career pursuits, community connections and more. Veterans Tom, Michelle and Tony share the ways they blossomed after they sought treatment.

4-minute read

Transitioning From Service, PTSD, Family and Relationships, Military Sexual Trauma, Trouble Sleeping, Depression, Stress and Anxiety, Problems with Alcohol

When To Start Talking With a Veteran About Mental Health

For many Veterans, an open conversation about mental health with a loved one makes it easier to address mental health challenges in therapy.

5-minute read

Family and Relationships, Trouble Sleeping, Feeling on Edge, Military Sexual Trauma

Talking Helped Army National Guard Veteran Heal After MST

After years of silence, this National Guard Veteran found healing in giving voice to her experience of military sexual trauma.

4-minute read

Military Sexual Trauma, Depression, Trouble Sleeping, Anger and Irritability

When Sleep Is Stressful, Not Restful

Troubled sleep stemming from insomnia, nightmares or restlessness can be the cause or the effect of a mental health challenge, as these three Veterans learned.

4-minute read

Trouble Sleeping, Nightmares, Stress and Anxiety, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury

Processing the Pain after Military Sexual Trauma

Anna explains how analyzing her emotions with a counselor taught her to stop blaming herself for experiencing military sexual trauma (MST) while in the Air Force

3-minute read

Military Sexual Trauma, Trouble Sleeping, Family and Relationships, PTSD

Enduring Harassment, Confronting Pain and Finding Support: A Veteran’s Experience

Shirley, an Army and Navy Veteran, hid her experiences of sexual harassment and assault attempts for years. But after seeking treatment for a physical health concern, she also found mental health support that addressed painful memories and helped her find herself again.

3-minute read

Military Sexual Trauma, Stress and Anxiety, Transitioning From Service, Trouble Sleeping

Trauma, Transitioning and Treatment

Two Veterans discuss the traumas of their combat service in Iraq, the difficulties they faced when they transitioned out of the U.S. Army, and the therapies that worked for them.

4-minute read

Nightmares, Family and Relationships, Transitioning From Service, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trouble Sleeping, Problems with Alcohol

Regaining Control Through Mindfulness

Gus had trouble sleeping and managing his emotions until his therapist introduced him to meditation.

3-minute read

PTSD, Transitioning From Service, Trouble Sleeping

What Does “Treatment” Mean for You?

For a Veteran facing a mental health challenge, the term “treatment” can mean counseling, medication, self-help approaches, peer support services, or some combination of those options.

4-minute read

Trouble Sleeping, Depression, Problems with Drugs

Veteran’s Long-Buried Trauma Was Triggered on 9/11

Within weeks of returning home from Vietnam, Don got on with his civilian life, blocking out the trauma he experienced during the war. For more than 30 years, he buried his pain and anguish. Then came 9/11, and the memories it triggered forced Don to face his past.

4-minute read

Anger and Irritability, Depression, Trouble Sleeping

Steps for Getting a Better Night’s Sleep

Veterans’ sleep can be affected by traumatic experiences, a racing mind, or old military routines, but there are steps you can take to create a healthier sleep routine.

5-minute read

Transitioning From Service, Trouble Sleeping, Feeling on Edge, Problems with Alcohol

Stay Safe and Connected

When physically distancing from others, it’s important to prevent social isolation from setting in. In fact, during these stressful times, it may be more important than ever to connect emotionally with others and practice various methods of self-care to support your mental health.

2-minute read

Anger and Irritability, Jobs and Employment, Family and Relationships, Trouble Sleeping, Nightmares, Stress and Anxiety

One Veteran Continues To “Adapt and Overcome” After Military Service

After leaving the Army, Jesse spent two years drinking alcohol to forget his experience in Iraq. When his drinking cost him a job, he realized he wasn’t the person he wanted to be. That’s when his military training took over.

4-minute read

Jobs and Employment, Transitioning From Service, Trouble Sleeping, Problems with Alcohol

Living With Chronic Pain

Marie faced chronic pain after serving in the U.S. Army and deploying to Iraq. Through group therapy at VA, she learned she wasn’t alone.

3-minute read

Anger and Irritability, PTSD, Trouble Sleeping, Depression, Nightmares

Having Trouble Sleeping?   

Learn about how deployment schedules, trauma, and other challenges can impact Veterans’ sleep cycles and cause physical and mental health issues.

3-minute read

Trouble Sleeping, Nightmares

A 9/11 First Responder Confronts Painful Memories

After two harrowing days of searching through rubble at the Pentagon, Cliff went home, took off his gear, and put it away in a box — along with his painful memories..

3-minute read

PTSD, Trouble Sleeping, Suicide

Veterans: Choose Strength Over Silence

The latest Make the Connection video, "Strength Over Silence," highlights stories of how Veterans used their voices and reached out for mental health treatment to improve their lives.

3-minute read

Jobs and Employment, PTSD, Family and Relationships, Problems with Drugs, Transitioning From Service, Trouble Sleeping