While not a problem for airsoft players in general, we always remind ourselves that there are war veterans in our midst enjoying the sport, and they are not few. We may never know if they're suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or not since sometimes it's kept private. This feature story is for them, as it provides information on helpful tools that can help them cope with the problem.

PTSD is a big problem in the US Army, as it is said that there are hundreds of thousands of service men and women who are experiencing this in one way or another with an estimated of 1 in 5 suffering from acute stress. Those with severe PTSDs have sought help from Veterans Affairs, and for the desperate, suicide has become an option. As the Guardian says "Sadly, those with PTSD can leave the war zone, but the war zone never leaves them. Some see suicide as their only escape. They, too, are casualties of war."

The Pentagon and the Veterans Affairs Office have developed apps to help them manage the symptons of PTSD. These are not cures, but help in supplementing diagnosis and psychiatric counselling. These are available for free at iTunes or at the Android Market and can be installed in iPhone, iPod Touch, the iPad, and Android Mobile Phones or Tablets. The apps were developed so that veterans and soldiers alike can have a very portable tool manage the symptoms.

Here are some of the apps available with links and their descriptions:

T2 Mood Tracker

"T2 Mood Tracker is a mobile application that allows users to self-monitor, track and reference their emotional experience over a period of days, weeks and months using a visual analogue rating scale.

Users can self-monitor emotional experiences associated with common deployment-related behavioral health issues like post-traumatic stress, brain injury, life stress, depression and anxiety. Additional rating can also be added. With each self-rating, notes on environmental influences on emotional experiences can be added. Self-monitoring results can be a self-help tool or they can be shared with a therapist or health care professional, providing a record of the patient’s emotional experience over a selected time frame."

PTSD Coach

"The PTSD Coach app can help you learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur after trauma. Features include:

• Reliable information on PTSD and treatments that work
• Tools for screening and tracking your symptoms
• Convenient, easy-to-use skills to help you handle stress symptoms
• Direct links to support and help
• Always with you when you need it"

Breathe2Relax

"Breathe2Relax is a portable stress management tool. Built on the iPhone mobile app platform, Breathe2Relax is a hands-on diaphragmatic breathing exercise. Breathing exercises have been documented to decrease the body's 'fight-or-flight' (stress) response, and help with mood stabilization, anger control, and anxiety management. Breathe2Relax can be used as a stand-alone stress reduction tool, or can be used in tandem with clinical care directed by a healthcare worker.

Capitalizing on touch-screen technology, a user can record their stress level on a 'visual analogue scale' by simply swiping a small bar to the left or to the right. Breathe2Relax uses state-of-the-art graphics, animation, narration, and videos to deliver a sophisticated, immersive experience for the user."

These apps can also be used by people with no military experience such as those who have been traumatized by violent assaults, accidents, and natural disasters. While not exact details on the users as these apps have been released with privacy in mind, the users are advised to still seek counselling and treatment from experts.