PTSD Learning Path
PTSD affects an estimated 3.6 percent of U.S. adults in any given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. For veterans, combat-related PTSD rates are considerably higher. When PTSD occurs alongside traumatic brain injury, the two conditions share overlapping symptoms that can complicate diagnosis, treatment, and daily life for both the person affected and the people caring for them.
This learning path organizes RNA's peer-reviewed PTSD education into four clusters: the brain science behind PTSD, the overlap with brain injury, veteran-specific resources, and guidance for caregivers and family members. Start anywhere. Each article stands on its own.
Understanding PTSD: The Brain Science
What happens inside the brain during and after trauma. These articles cover the neuroscience of PTSD, how memory and emotion are affected, and what current research shows about recovery.
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The PTSD Brain: What Trauma Does to Memory, Emotion, and Fear
A foundational overview of how PTSD alters brain function, including changes to the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus.
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The Hippocampus Under Fire: How PTSD Reshapes the Brain and How It Can Heal
Examines the hippocampus's role in memory and trauma response, and what research shows about neuroplasticity and recovery.
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When the Brain Doesn't Remember, but the Body Still Does
Explores somatic memory and how trauma is stored in the body, particularly relevant for those with both PTSD and brain injury.
PTSD and Brain Injury: Understanding the Overlap
PTSD and traumatic brain injury frequently occur together, and their symptoms can look nearly identical. These articles help families and caregivers understand where the conditions differ, where they converge, and why accurate diagnosis matters.
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PTSD vs Traumatic Brain Injury
A side-by-side comparison of how each condition presents, how they are diagnosed, and why they are often confused.
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PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury Differences
Covers the clinical distinctions between PTSD and TBI and what those differences mean for treatment planning.
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CTE vs PTSD: Why Symptoms Can Look Similar
Explains the symptom overlap between chronic traumatic encephalopathy and PTSD, and what research currently shows about distinguishing them.
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PTSD and cPTSD After Brain Injury: Why the Symptoms Overlap
Addresses complex PTSD specifically, how it develops after repeated trauma, and how brain injury can complicate the clinical picture.
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Can PTSD Mimic Brain Injury?
Examines the ways PTSD can produce symptoms that look neurological, and what that means for families seeking answers.
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Can PTSD Worsen Memory Loss?
Reviews the research on PTSD's effect on memory, including its interaction with existing brain injury.
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PTSD Versus Moral Injury Explained
Clarifies the clinical distinction between PTSD and moral injury, two conditions that are frequently conflated, particularly in veteran populations.
Veterans and PTSD
Combat exposure, repeated blast injury, and military culture all shape how PTSD presents in veterans. These articles address veteran-specific patterns, triggers, and community resources.
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PTSD vs TBI in Veterans: Why Symptoms Overlap and Are Often Misunderstood
Addresses the specific diagnostic challenges veterans face when PTSD and TBI coexist, and how the military context affects both conditions.
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A Guide to Veteran PTSD Triggers
A practical overview of common combat-related triggers and how they manifest in daily life at home.
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How to Explain PTSD Triggers Clearly
Written for caregivers and family members who need language to explain triggers to others, including children and extended family.
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GHOST OPS: Uniting Veterans Against TBI and PTSD
An overview of the GHOST OPS community and its role in connecting veterans living with TBI and PTSD.
For Caregivers and Family Members
Living with or caring for someone with PTSD requires a different kind of knowledge than managing the condition yourself. These articles are written for spouses, partners, adult children, and anyone providing daily support.
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Veteran Spouse Guide to PTSD at Home
A practical guide for military spouses navigating PTSD in the home environment, covering communication, boundaries, and daily management.
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How to Help a Veteran With PTSD
Evidence-informed guidance on supporting a veteran through PTSD without overstepping or enabling avoidance.
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How to Support a Spouse With PTSD
Written for civilian and military spouses alike, covering the emotional labor of PTSD caregiving and how to protect your own wellbeing in the process.
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The Cost of Standing Still in TBI and PTSD Care
Examines what happens when families delay or avoid intervention, and the cumulative toll of untreated TBI and PTSD on both the patient and caregiver.
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