Homecoming Veterans Often Face Inner Challenge

For PTSD, cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on discussing the traumatic events is commonly used, said Armstrong. "Typically what happens with events you don't like [such as combat] is you avoid them," he said. "And you end up perpetuating problems."

Armstrong and others who work with veterans encourage them to talk in detail about what happened in combat. This, over time, eases the negative emotions by helping the veteran face the fear he or she carries inside.

In addition to therapy, medications can help veterans with depression, anxiety and PTSD, experts say.

And friends and family can also help, by encouraging the veteran to talk about the problems, Rosenberg said.

"Give them a chance to open up," she said. "Let them know you're available to listen. Try to help them figure out where to go to get help."

More information

The Veterans Administration has more on its "Warrior Care" program.

SOURCES: Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO, National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, Rockville, Md.; Keith Armstrong, L.C.S.W., director, couples and family therapy, San Francisco VA Medical Center, and author, "Courage After Fire: Coping Strategies for Troops Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and Their Families" (2005, Ulysses Press); April 2008 Rand Corp. study: "Invisible Wounds of War"