As military veterans know, freedom isn’t free. Of the nearly 16 million veterans in the United States today, many continue to suffer from invisible wounds sustained during their service.
Veterans are more likely than the general population to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition marked by persistent and distressing symptoms after exposure to trauma. PTSD can haunt veterans for years — but it is highly treatable.
One promising advancement is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive therapy that uses magnetic pulses to target brain regions involved in mood and fear regulation. Understanding how TMS helps veterans with PTSD is vital as this treatment offers new hope for those who haven’t found relief with traditional approaches.
While evidence-based treatments like TMS are bringing hope, more than half of all veterans with mental illness are not receiving treatment. The reasons for this are rooted in military culture, shame and fear, and a hesitancy to trust is keeping millions from getting the help they need.
Symptoms of PTSD in military service veterans
About 8% of US veterans will experience PTSD at some point during their lives, compared to 6% of the general population. The rate is even higher for female veterans, at 13%. For veterans with combat exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan, that rate is closer to 29%.
PTSD is a complex condition that significantly changes how the brain works. Because of this, it can have a lasting impact on your mental, emotional, and even physical health.
PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing any traumatic event, especially anything that creates an intense feeling of fear, an overwhelming sense of helplessness, or a strong sense of danger.
During a traumatic event, the amygdala, the brain’s fear center, sets off a hormonal chain reaction with the one goal of keeping you alive. But sometimes, it gets stuck in survival mode, even though there is no real danger.
Having PTSD puts veterans at increased risk for developing other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Even more troubling, veteran suicide rates are twice as high as the general population.
Symptoms of PTSD include
- Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares
- Hyperarousal (racing heart, sweating, being easily startled)
- Avoidance and withdrawal
- Negative changes in mood and thinking
- Sleep disturbances and fatigue
Flashbacks are a common symptom of PTSD. Often vivid and intense, a flashback is a distressing experience that causes you to react as though a traumatic event is happening right now.
Flashbacks can be triggered by a noise or a smell and may cause you to dissociate or lose awareness of their surroundings or even time.
How PTSD leads to other mental health struggles
PTSD rarely exists in isolation. Left untreated, it usually leads to other mental, emotional, and physical conditions. In fact, over 90% of people with PTSD have at least one other lifetime mental disorder.
PTSD almost naturally invites comorbid symptoms of depression and anxiety. About half of all people with PTSD also have major depressive disorder (MDD), which is characterized by a persistently depressed mood lasting for at least two weeks.5
Other health challenges associated with PTSD
- Physical health problems A number of physical health issues can be brought on by the neurochemical changes and stress caused by trauma: chronic pain, headaches, stomach problems, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, and a weakened immune system.
- Relationship and social difficulties PTSD can cause people to become withdrawn, emotionally numb, or irritable, which can strain relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.
- Work and daily life impairment PTSD can make it hard to concentrate and engage at work, leading to frequent absences that can result in job loss or financial difficulties.
- Substance abuse Many veterans turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope. But this can actually worsen symptoms and make other health challenges harder to treat. Substance abuse can also increase the risk of suicide.
- Self-harming behavior People with PTSD may turn to cutting or burning themselves as a way to manage or escape emotional pain.
- Greater risk for suicide and suicidal ideation Veterans are more than twice as likely to die by suicide compared to the general population. This is generally attributed to the lingering effects of trauma, feelings of isolation, depression, substance misuse, and challenges associated with transitioning to civilian life.
Barriers to veterans seeking help
Despite the high prevalence of mental health challenges among military service veterans, many hesitate to seek the support they need.
One of the biggest barriers to care comes from military culture itself. Service members are trained to value strength, resilience, and self-reliance. To admit that they are suffering from emotional struggles can be perceived as a sign of weakness or failure.
Barriers to PTSD treatment include
- Stigma Fear that they will be seen as weak or that it will harm their reputation, relationships, or career prospects
- Career concerns Worry that disclosing mental health issues or pursuing treatment will negatively impact job eligibility, security clearances, or advancement
- Lack of awareness Unaware of available mental health resources or find the process of accessing care confusing and overwhelming
- Logistical and access barriers Long wait times, provider shortages, transportation challenges, and living in rural areas can make it difficult to access timely, specialized care.
- Doubt about treatment effectiveness Some veterans believe that treatment won’t help or that their problems aren’t severe enough to need professional support.
- Financial concerns Gaps in insurance coverage, high out-of-pocket costs, or ineligibility for VA benefits
- Lack of trust Some veterans feel civilian providers lack the understanding of what they’ve been through to provide effective care.
Avoidance is a core symptom of PTSD, which can cause these barriers to appear. It can be extremely overwhelming and frightening to confront painful memories that have been pushed deep down inside. Even talking about the trauma can lead to a reluctance to seek help.
However, multiple studies suggest that talking about trauma in a safe and supportive therapeutic environment is essential to processing painful memories and starting the journey toward healing. Medications such as antidepressants are also used to help manage symptoms associated with depression and anxiety.
How TMS Helps Veterans With PTSD
There are times when traditional therapy and medication just aren’t enough to treat PTSD. This is where understanding how TMS helps veterans with PTSD becomes crucial.
A large-scale study released by the US Veterans Administration (VA) in 2025 found that two-thirds of veterans receiving TMS reported significant improvement in their symptoms. Nearly 50% no longer met the criteria for PTSD.
TMS is a non-invasive procedure used to treat major depression, PTSD, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD,) bipolar depression, and even traumatic brain injuries. This outpatient procedure is FDA-cleared and does not require surgery or significant downtime to recover.
Your clinician may prescribe TMS when:
- You have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD, typically alongside MDD
- You have not responded satisfactorily to at least two courses of antidepressants or have experienced intolerable side effects
- You have attempted evidence-based psychotherapy without sufficient improvement
TMS is particularly effective for PTSD because it calms symptoms associated with hyperarousal, intrusive memories, and emotional distress. TMS is safe and well-tolerated, with few side effects.
When considering how TMS helps veterans with PTSD, it’s important to understand that it stimulates underactive nerve cells in the brain areas responsible for emotional regulation and fear processing.
TMS works to rebalance the brain network activity by creating new and stronger pathways. Calming an overactive amygdala allows the prefrontal cortex — the brain region responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and regulating emotions — to better manage stress.
Other benefits of TMS
- Improved sleep quality, reduced insomnia
- Increased energy and motivation
- Better concentration
- Enhanced sense of well-being
- Improved cognitive function
Getting help starts with you
The first step toward healing starts with scheduling a consultation and learning more about your mental health care treatment options. Many veterans receiving services from the VA will need a referral from their provider to receive TMS treatment.
If you’re wondering how TMS helps veterans with PTSD, know that reaching out is the first step. Taking action is a sign of strength, not weakness — and there are compassionate professionals ready to support your recovery.
Key takeaways
- PTSD is common among veterans and often occurs alongside depression, anxiety, substance use, and physical health problems. This makes recovery more complex and urgent.
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Evidence-based treatments, like TMS, show how TMS helps veterans with PTSD by leading to significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life.
- Barriers such as stigma, lack of awareness, and difficulty accessing care prevent millions of veterans from getting the help they need.
- Taking the first step to seek help can be life-changing and is an act of strength that opens the door to recovery.
Looking for mental health care services near you?
Pacific Mind Health offers medication management, therapy, and interventional treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato (esketamine) at our Los Angeles offices. Our experienced clinicians provide compassionate, evidence-based care to help you feel better.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a consultation and start your mental health journey today.
