MUNCIE, Ind. — Patrick Weber walks into each of his classes on high alert, very aware of his surroundings. After all, it’s how he has been trained.
The 47-year-old social work major at Ball State University is one of 180 veterans taking classes on the college’s campus. He’s also one of about 25-30 students registered with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the university’s disability office.
Because of this condition, a typical classroom setting can trigger flashbacks to unpleasant events. It’s instinct for Weber to stroll to class with his head down, to keep to himself. Once in the classroom, he secures a spot in the back row. Otherwise, claustrophobia would set in. His leg starts to tremble when he sits down. He will sometimes cover his face with his hands.
And if the teacher shuts off the lights for a PowerPoint presentation, he’s out the door.
“I equate darkness to bad things because bad things happened to me, personally, at nighttime,” he said. “I don’t know what’s on people’s minds. I really don’t think 99.9 percent of the people in this world are out to hurt me, but you still have that in the back of your head.”
PTSD results from experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Weber received his diagnosis in 2009. According to a study by the Congressional Research Service, he was among almost 29,000 diagnosed that year with a traumatic brain injury, one that occurred from a blast in Iraq.
That same study reported 13,984 new PTSD cases in 2009 among those deployed for at least 30 days during active missions in Iraq. Weber was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which lasted from March 2003-August 2010. Other missions included operations Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel.
