Their wives may see the symptoms, nightmares, night sweats, hypervigilance and anxiety and depression. Very often they isolate, avoid social gatherings frequently. So these type of problems are not very “obvious”. If they try to self medicate with alcohol, what you may see is an alcoholic and not “see “PTSD.
I confess that I have always thought of it as having a trip-wire temper, freaking out in a destructive fashion, etc.
Now that you explain the symptoms, and with the added info from his wife, I can see them in our friend. Especially, his tendency when just hanging out to sit sort of in a corner, arms folded tightly across his chest, with a *stone face*. We could coax him out of it, and it never happened when we were outside or doing something, but only if we went in to have a cup of coffee and sit down to talk. It was odd, but, you know how you just accept some behaviors that don’t seem self or other-destructive.
He doesn’t drink, but, like most of the 60s generation, he does inhale.
His eval ends in June. I do hope he gets something.
What a compassionate and supportive friend you are...of all the help a veteran can get, it is always family and friends that make the difference.
I am sure your friend will get a lot of help, the VA has many, many types of treatments now and overall a committment not to repeat the neglect of post Vietnam. Your friend will also be able to get support from fellow veterans in treatment....a very positive factor.