Understanding Depression in Veterans

Why Veterans Face Higher Rates of Depression

Veterans carry experiences few civilians can truly understand. The transition from military to civilian life can be meaningful and rewarding, but it can also be unexpectedly jarring. 

Research shows that between 14% to 16% of United States (US) service members deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, showing not just how common these mental health challenges are, but how important it is to talk about them openly. These numbers don’t reflect weakness. They’re natural, human responses to the immense pressure, trauma, and responsibility faced by service members during and after their time in uniform.

Whether depression begins during active duty or emerges months or years afterward, the causes are often rooted in the unique demands of service, causes of stress in the military, and the emotional weight carried long after deployment ends.

Combat exposure and trauma

Exposure to combat is one of the strongest predictors of both military PTSD and post-military depression. In combat, service members must navigate life-or-death situations while making split-second decisions under extreme stress. 

Even if someone feels they handled it well at the time, the brain remembers that experience, and intrusive memories, hypervigilance, or emotional numbing can take hold. Over time, these psychological aftereffects may evolve into persistent depression, especially when veterans feel external pressures to “stay strong” or avoid discussing what they’ve been through. 

Moral injury

Some wounds aren’t physical, but internal. According to the Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center for PTSD, moral injury occurs when experiences during service conflict with a person’s deeply held values or sense of right and wrong. This might involve witnessing loss, participating in difficult missions, or surviving situations no training could prepare one for emotionally. 

Rather than eliciting fear-based symptoms, moral injury often brings shame, guilt, spiritual distress, or a loss of trust in oneself. When left unaddressed, these feelings can contribute to the risk for depression, PTSD, or substance abuse.

Physical injuries or chronic pain

Physical injuries from training, deployment, or day-to-day service can follow veterans for years and require ongoing care. Chronic pain, limited mobility, or lasting medical issues can chip away at independence and make even simple tasks feel like uphill battles. When pain interferes with sleep, work, or hobbies that once brought joy, mood and motivation may naturally decline. 

Loss of identity or purpose

Military service provides structure, a clear mission, a sense of belonging, and a lifestyle built around clarity and teamwork. When that chapter closes, many veterans are left navigating uncharted territory. The question of “What now?” can weigh heavily, and the loss of routine or community can foster a sense of loneliness or uncertainty. 

Rebuilding identity takes time, and feeling adrift during the process is incredibly common. However, for many, that sense of disconnection becomes a core part of depression after military service.

Signs & Symptoms of Depression in Veterans

Depression doesn’t always appear the way one might expect — especially in veterans. It may not appear as persistent sadness, but rather irritability, frustration, withdrawal, or feeling emotionally shut down. Some may feel as though they lost their “spark” or are going through the motions absentmindedly. These shifts may appear subtle at first. 

Emotion symptoms may include:

• Irritability or anger
• Persistent sadness or emptiness
• Guilt, shame, or low self-worth
• Loss of interest in hobbies or relationships

Physical symptoms may include:

• Changes in sleeping habits, including sleeping too much or too little
• Fatigue or low energy
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Chronic pain or headaches

Behavioral symptoms may include:

• Pulling away from loved ones
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased alcohol or substance use
• Avoiding responsibilities or social activities

The Connection Between Depression and PTSD

For some veterans, the nightmares, PTSD flashbacks, and hypervigilance can blend with exhaustion, hopelessness, and emotional numbness, creating a mix of symptoms that’s difficult to live with and explain to others. In fact, research shows that up to 70% of combat veterans diagnosed with PTSD also meet criteria for depression. This combination is linked to higher distress and worse daily functioning than either condition alone.

While symptoms may overlap, understanding the difference between the two experiences can be helpful. 

• PTSD is a trauma-based condition that develops after specific events, often involving fear, horror, or threat. 
• Depression, on the other hand, involves ongoing sadness, emptiness, or a loss of interest lasting for weeks or more.

When they occur together, veterans may constantly feel on edge and deeply drained at the same time. With the right support and mental health care, both conditions are treatable.

The Impact of Untreated Depression in Veterans

When unaddressed, depression can ripple through every corner of a person’s life — health, work, relationships, identity. It can also fuel new or ongoing misuse of alcohol or substances, strain family connections, or make holding a job or performing daily duties feel impossible.

The most concerning impact is the connection between depression and suicide risk. According to the VA, over 6,400 veterans died by suicide in 2022, averaging 17.6 lives lost each day. Veterans also continue to experience higher suicide rates than non-veterans, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available now. You can call or text 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

Treatment Options for Veterans Living With Depression

Depression is highly treatable, and veterans deserve care that honors their experiences, strengths, and individuality. Conversations about veterans and depression have become more open in recent years, helping many people realize that these struggles are far more common and more treatable than they may seem. 

In this section, we’ll walk you through the most helpful approaches available today. While each healing journey is unique, many veterans find the greatest relief by combining multiple strategies. Above all, you don’t have to navigate this treatment process alone. There are therapists, programs, communities, and tools designed to support you every step of the way.

Therapy

Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment to process past experiences and develop effective coping skills. Many veterans benefit from evidence-based approaches, such as:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

A therapist familiar with military culture can also help veterans unpack moral injury, reintegration stress, or the loss of identity after service. Whether sessions happen in person or online, therapy can be a powerful anchor throughout recovery.

Medication

Medication can significantly reduce depressive symptoms, especially when paired with therapy for a more comprehensive treatment. For example, antidepressants can help rebalance brain chemistry and improve mood, sleep, and energy. For those also in need of chronic pain management or PTSD treatment for veterans, providers may adjust medications to address overlapping symptoms.

Lifestyle and holistic care

If depression is draining your energy or motivation, even small lifestyle changes can make a big impact. Many veterans find relief through activities such as low-impact exercise, establishing improved sleep routines, and practicing mindfulness. Holistic approaches, such as yoga, meditation, or creative arts and expression, can also support emotional regulation. 

Peer and community programs

It’s natural to feel most understood by those who’ve walked a similar path. Peer support groups, group therapy, veteran service organizations, and community-based groups can offer connection, accountability, and a renewed sense of belonging. Being part of a community that “gets it” can ease isolation and remind veterans that they don’t have to carry everything on their own.

Get Personalized Depression Treatment for Veterans

You don’t have to face the psychological effects of military service alone. Talkspace connects veterans with licensed online therapists who understand trauma, military culture, and the challenges that come with transitioning back home. 

With flexible, remote therapy, you can connect with a therapist from anywhere — no waitlists or travel required. If post-military depression has been weighing heavily on you, the right support can help you feel grounded and hopeful again. Get reliable online therapy for veterans with Talkspace today.