A 35 year old male presents with nightmares, flashbacks and severe anxiety which began after he returned from deployment in a war zone 8 months ago. He witnessed the death of a close friend during an ambush and says he “relives it every night.” Since returning, he has avoided crowded places, loud noises and even driving past military facilities. He reports feeling detached from loved ones, and has lost interest in his hobbies. He is easily startled and frequently scans his environment, describing himself as “constantly on edge.” He has not spoken to anyone about this event until now and initially resisted seeking help. He admits to drinking alcohol nightly to “calm down.” He denies any suicidal ideation.
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