Considering Military Service? What You Need To Know About the Psychological Effects of Military Service​

A ripple effect starts the moment a person raises their right hand and takes the oath to serve. It’s a moment of profound commitment, not just to a country, but to a life that will fundamentally change who they are, how they see the world, and how they relate to the people they love. This impact goes beyond the physical. It's deeply psychological, weaving itself into the very fabric of a service member's being and even their family's lives. 

Before making this life-altering decision, it’s vital to understand the full psychological spectrum of the military journey, from the structured intensity of training to the long-term reality of transition. On Veterans Day, as we honor the courage and sacrifice of our nation's veterans, we must look past the parades and the simple "thank you" to truly appreciate the hidden, complex, and lasting psychological journey that service requires. Understanding the inner world of a veteran is the first step toward making an informed decision about joining and offering the deep, relevant support they deserve every day of the year.

The promise and the price of service

Military service offers unmatched opportunities: top-tier training, education funding, leadership development, and a strong sense of purpose. Yet the same experiences that build confidence and discipline can also challenge emotional, physical, and psychological limits.

• Commitment and structure: Enlistment or commissioning is a legally binding contract—typically four to six years of active duty followed by reserve time. The military’s needs take priority, shaping where service members live and how they spend their time.
• Deployment and distance: Extended separation from family and friends is part of the job. These periods test relationships and personal endurance but also strengthen bonds through shared sacrifice.
• Demand and resilience: The military environment is intentionally tough. It develops strength, but the intensity of training, operational stress, and exposure to trauma can have lasting effects that require care and support.

The result is a life defined by both pride and pressure, shaping identity long after the uniform is folded away.

Common mental health challenges for veterans

The stressors of military life, including deployment, separation from family, and exposure to life-threatening situations, can lead to a number of psychological issues.

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): This is one of the most widely known psychological effects. Studies show that the rate of PTSD is higher among veterans than civilians. About 7 out of every 100 veterans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, compared to 6 out of 100 in the general population. For those who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, that number climbs much higher, with 29 out of 100 (29 percent) experiencing PTSD at some point. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and feeling on edge or hyper-aware of danger.
• Depression: More than just feeling sad, depression can interfere with daily life and normal functioning. Veterans are five times more likely to experience major depression than civilians. Approximately 1 in 8 veterans have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and require therapy and medication services.
• Anxiety disorders: Rates of anxiety are typically higher for military veterans, with estimates around 5 to 12 percent. Anxiety can manifest as panic attacks or an overall sense of unease that makes it hard to relax or focus.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and its effects: TBI is a major concern. The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center reported more than 400,000 TBIs among U.S. service members who served since 2000. A TBI can impact a veteran's mental health, leading to memory problems, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating.
• Substance use disorders: Many veterans may turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with or self-medicate the symptoms of trauma, depression, or anxiety. Research shows that having a co-occurring mental health disorder and a substance use disorder increases the risk of suicide significantly, making treatment for both issues vital.

Coping with the psychological effects of military service while transitioning to civilian life

Leaving the military is often called the "second hardest battle." It’s a huge cultural shift, and the loss of the military's strict structure and clear sense of purpose can leave a veteran feeling isolated and adrift.

Loss of identity and structure

Service members are part of a tight-knit system in which their identity, daily schedule, and even their clothing are defined by their service. Returning to civilian life means navigating a world that often doesn't understand their experiences or speak their language. The sense of mission and belonging is suddenly gone. One veteran shared in a TEDxApex talk that the transition itself is often traumatic, explaining that he found a path out of his darkness through "connection, authenticity, and meaning.”

Impact on family and loved ones

The psychological effects don't stop with the veteran. They create a ripple effect that touches spouses, partners, and children. Families of deployed service members face significant stress, often feeling concern, loneliness, and having to take on new family duties.

When a veteran returns with psychological injuries, the family must adjust to their loved one's change, which can include irritability, emotional numbness, and difficulty trusting. Studies have shown that children of all ages experience more emotional and behavioral problems when a parent is deployed, and the mental health of the remaining parent plays a key role in how children cope.

Life after military service and finding the path to wellbeing

It's common for veterans to delay seeking help, often because of the stigma or a learned habit of self-reliance that was necessary during their service. However, professional help and wellness activities are essential tools for recovery and a stable, fulfilling civilian life.

The power of professional support

Seeking therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. A mental health professional, especially one trained in military cultural competency, can help veterans process their experiences in a safe, judgment-free space.

• Evidence-based treatments: The most effective therapies for trauma-related conditions are often evidence-based treatments. For PTSD, these include Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). These therapies are designed to help veterans change how they think about their trauma and learn to face the reminders of it in a safe way.
• Confidential care: The Headstrong Project, a nonprofit that offers free, confidential mental health care to veterans, emphasizes that its services are completely confidential. This allows veterans to get help without fear of judgment or a breach of privacy, a major concern for many still tied to the military system.

Wellness and activities for healing

Healing goes beyond talk therapy. It’s also about finding new ways to connect with the world and process emotions. Many veterans find that non-traditional, or "adjunct," activities help their recovery and reintegration.

• Physical activity and connection: Programs like the Invictus Games demonstrate the power of competitive sports and physical activity in veterans' recovery and rehabilitation. For some, the focus and challenge of activities like surfing, which shares similarities with the outdoor activities they knew in the military, can be very therapeutic.
• Creative arts: Activities such as painting, music, writing, and dramatic performance have long been recognized as beneficial for rehabilitation. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has a program called Art for Resilience, Recovery and Teamwork Skills (ARRTS), which offers streams in visual arts, creative writing, and music.
• Animal-assisted therapy: Connecting with animals, especially horses and dogs, can be a powerful tool. A horse's sensitivity to human cues can give a veteran immediate feedback on their own behavior, prompting them to be more mindful of their emotions.

Honoring the past, embracing the future

On Veterans Day and every day that follows, the best way to honor a veteran is more than a simple acknowledgement. It's taking the time to understand the full picture of their service, especially the psychological effects of military service. It’s important to remember that most veterans lead incredibly productive and satisfying lives. In fact, one study found that a history of military service was associated with higher odds of life satisfaction in non-depressed men. Service instills powerful, positive traits like discipline, leadership, and resilience.

The most important lesson is that having a mental health challenge is not a weakness, but a predictable injury from extraordinary circumstances. Reaching out for help is an extension of the same courage it took to serve. The journey home is a process of growth, healing, and finding a new mission. We all have a role in creating a community where every veteran feels safe, understood, and supported as they redefine their purpose outside of the uniform.

If you’re considering joining, here’s what one of our SonderMind Veterans had to say about their experience: "Honestly, joining the military changed my life for the better. It taught me how to work hard and showed me what I’m capable of. I met some of the best people, lifelong friends I consider family, and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. If someone’s thinking about joining, I’d tell them to take the leap. It opens doors you’d never expect and gives you opportunities that can truly change your life. Aim High you’ll be surprised at how far it can take you."