VETERANS OF THE STORM

VOTS is your bridge between the veteran and VA

If you or someone you know is in crisis

MISSION

Veterans of the Storm (VOTS) is a veteran-led suicide-prevention initiative for high-functioning veterans missed by PTSD-only models—those living with undiagnosed adult ADHD, RSD-driven emotional collapse, and Special Operations Forces Operator Syndrome (OS). We deliver trauma-informed, non-clinical, peer-led support that stabilizes the nervous system, restores emotional regulation, and reconnects veterans to purpose—while routing diagnosis through a PMHNP and medication management through the VA.

Eggs with drawn faces showing various emotions in a clear carton. Background has blurred kitchen items. Overall playful mood.

⚠️ Why “Emotional Dysregulation” Fails to Describe ADHD

Dysregulation” implies broken regulation — as if the person’s emotions are malfunctioning or out of control. But in ADHD, emotions do regulate — just differently. They respond to meaning, intensity, and immediacy, not mild or abstract information.

Black and white image of a woman in underwear, leaning against a bed, appearing contemplative. Tattoo visible on her side. Cozy bedroom.

Rethinking ADHD: Understanding Depression and Anxiety as Emotional Outcomes of Unmanaged Conditions

The connection between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, and anxiety is a critical topic in mental health discussions. For a long time, depression and anxiety have been seen as separate conditions that frequently occur alongside ADHD. However, new insights suggest this view may be too simplistic. This post challenges the notion that depression and anxiety are distinct diagnoses, arguing instead that they are often the emotional outcomes of living wi

Person in camouflage uniform holding a sign reading "Heal Me" against a gray brick wall, conveying a plea or emotional appeal.

Suicide Risk in ADHD, Post‑9/11 Veterans (PTSD/ Operator Syndrome), and RSD (2001–Present)

ADHD, RSD, and Operator Syndrome have been under-recognized factors in suicide prevention. Why PTSD Treatments May Fail in Veterans with Undiagnosed ADHD

Beyond the Surface: Unveiling the Role of Adult ADHD and Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria in Suicide Prevention

Person in a dark setting wears a black shirt with bold white text "MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS" under a leather jacket, conveying advocacy.

Skull wearing a helmet, smoking a cigar, centered in a circular emblem. Text: Veterans of the Storm. Monochrome design, bold and gritty.

Preliminary Theory: ADHD as a Nervous System Dysregulation Disorder and Its Role in Emotional

Collapse Among High-Functioning Veterans Preliminary Theory: ADHD as a Nervous System Dysregulation Disorder and Its Role in Emotional Collapse Among High-Functioning Veterans Author: Theresa Alfonzo Abstract: This theory proposes that adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is fundamentally a disorder of nervous system dysregulation rather than simply a cognitive or behavioral deficit. In high functioning individuals, particularly within veteran populations,