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Hey everyone, welcome to this first part of a two-part conversation on a topic that's heavy, but incredibly important—military trauma. Now, let me just say upfront, my team and I aren’t just here to share information. We want to influence how people see this, and more importantly, how we talk about it.
We’re dedicating this time to shifting the conversation around military trauma and veteran mental health. The first part of this discussion is all about changing the narrative. In the next part, we’ll dig into an even more challenging question: Could there actually be an upside to trauma? I know that might sound a little off, and I get it—it’s not exactly a phrase you expect to hear when we’re talking about trauma. But stick with me, because together, we’ll explore it. Sound good?
Before we get rolling, though, I need you to know something: we have nothing but deep respect and compassion for our veterans who are struggling. What we’re after here is hope—for veterans who feel like they’re at the end of their rope, for families who feel helpless, and for anyone looking to rebuild a future that feels shattered right now. This isn’t just about talking—it’s about helping people thrive after their darkest moments.
And I’ll ask for a little grace here because, fair warning, I’m going to geek out a bit. We’re pulling together research, expert opinions, and a whole lot of experience we’ve gathered over the past 15 years, working with hundreds of veterans at Trinity Equestrian Center. Plus, we’ve got some raw, real input from veterans and their families on how they feel about this.
A Personal Journey with PTS
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know this topic hits close to home. My journey with what we now call PTS started when I was a kid, watching my dad, a WWII vet, deal with what they called “shell shock” back then. Today, we call it PTSD and me and my followers call it PTS. But back then? It was just our reality as a family. His battle wasn’t his alone—it was ours too.
That’s why this conversation matters so much to me. We’ve been at this for over 15 years at Trinity, working side-by-side with veterans through Equine Assisted Therapy. If you’ve read my book, Unlikely Recruits: How God Enlists Horses to Heal Veterans, you know the stories—stories of veterans transforming their lives, finding healing in the most unexpected ways.
But today, I want to talk about words. Because words can either lift you up or keep you stuck. And when it comes to mental health and trauma, words matter more than we might think.
From Disorder to Response: Why One Word Matters
So here’s where I’m going to geek out a little—hang with me. The shift we’re talking about is this: instead of calling it Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, what if we called it Post-Traumatic Stress Response?
I first heard about this years ago in an advanced military trauma training session, and honestly, it blew my mind. One word—response instead of disorder—could literally change the entire way veterans view themselves and how they experience trauma.
Let me be clear: this isn’t just about wordplay. This one change carries a huge impact because it moves away from labeling someone as “disordered” or “broken.” It reframes the conversation, acknowledging that what veterans experience after trauma is a natural human response to something absolutely overwhelming.
Imagine how much that could change things. Think about it: instead of feeling like there’s something fundamentally wrong with you, you’d understand that what you’re experiencing is a normal reaction to something that wasn’t normal at all. That’s a game-changer.
Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress
Right now, PTS is described as a mental health condition triggered by a traumatic event. It comes with things like flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety—things that make everyday life feel impossible sometimes. For veterans, this can get in the way of everything—relationships, work, even just getting through the day.
But here’s what we all need to understand: PTS is not a sign of weakness. It’s not a reflection of someone being broken or less than. It’s a powerful response to an overwhelming situation.
Embracing Post-Traumatic Stress (Response)
Now let’s talk about the shift to “response.” This is where it gets good. By reframing the language, we’re saying, “Hey, what you’re going through makes sense. It’s a response. You’re not broken—you’re human.”
That’s a huge difference. One veteran told me the word “disorder” made him feel like he was fundamentally broken. It made reaching out for help feel impossible because he didn’t want to be seen that way.
When I asked him how he’d feel if it was called a “response” instead, he paused and said, “That would change everything.” It would feel like the weight of judgment was lifted. He said he’d be way more likely to reach out if that’s how it was framed.
It’s not just the veterans who feel this way. I had a mom tell me that hearing her son’s PTSD called a “disorder” made her feel hopeless, like there was nothing she could do. But when I asked her how she’d feel about it being called a “response,” she broke down in tears. She said it would change everything for her, for him, and for other families going through this.
The Science Behind It
Here’s the thing—science backs this up. Studies show that the way we talk about mental health has a direct impact on how it’s perceived and treated. The word “disorder” adds stigma. The word “response” normalizes it. It makes it easier to talk about and way more likely that veterans will get the help they need.
There’s a study from the Journal of Anxiety Disorders that showed veterans who heard their condition described as a “response” instead of a “disorder” had lower levels of shame and were more willing to seek help. Another from the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that changing the language led to a 30% increase in treatment adherence and a 25% reduction in symptoms.
Advocating for Change
We’re not alone in this. Some of the most respected voices in trauma research, like Dr. Bruce Perry and Dr. Stephen Porges, are advocating for this shift. Organizations like the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the National Alliance on Mental Illness are also pushing for a change in how we talk about mental health.
I told you I was geeking out!
One Word Can Change Lives
Here’s the bottom line: one word can change lives. By embracing Post-Traumatic Stress Response instead of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, we’re showing veterans that what they’re experiencing isn’t something that makes them “broken.” It’s a response, and it’s something we can navigate together.
This isn’t just theory—this works. Research, real-life stories, and our own experiences at Trinity all point to the same thing: words matter. And this one shift in language could be the thing that helps more veterans get the help they need.
How You Can Help
You can start using the term Post-Traumatic Stress Response in your conversations. It’s a small change, but it can make all the difference in how we view mental health. The words we choose matter more than we think.
Thanks for sticking with me through this. This conversation is important. And stay tuned for the next part, where we’ll dig into the question, “Can there possibly be an upside to military trauma?” I know you’re not going to want to miss that one.
Until next time—stay safe, and God bless!
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