Case Study Of Delayed-Onset Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Ketamine was developed in the 1960’s as a dissociative anesthetic. In 1970 the federal government for human use approved it.5 It became very popular as a battlefield anesthetic because of its quick onset and ability not to knock out a patient’s respiratory drive. The first evidence of illicit drug abuse of ketamine was in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s on the west cost of the US.2 It can be know on the street as “Special K, Vitamin K, Jet, and Super Acid.”8 In its illegal form it is often used as a date rape drug.2

Twenty veterans a day take their own lives in this nation. Suicide among military veterans is a tragic epidemic in our country. Out of every 100,00 veterans, 3.53% commit suicide; however, for every 100,000 civilian adults only 1.52% take that same drastic action (Thompson). A man by the name of Peter Kaisen from Islip, NY was denied treatment at the Northport VA for mental health issues. He was upset that he was turned away for treatment so he went directly to his car outside the VA and shot himself in the head (Rebelo). Multiple tales such as this graphic suicide are happening across the country. I felt this shockwave when my close friend and team leader, Corporal Christopher J Carter took his own life by crashing and burning alive in his car. His suicide was another demonstration of failing to receive the proper treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A veteran commits suicide every 72 minutes, this is a problem fueled by the incompetence and difficulty of receiving treatment by the Veterans Health Affairs, a negative stigma that causes veterans to suffer silently from their mental issues, as well as a failed preventative approach on stopping destructive behavior before it’s too late.

In recent years there has been much dispute over the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, on the armed forces. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a medical condition that affects the physiology of the brain. It commonly affects those who have experienced or witnessed stressful events, such as war. PTSD was generally referred to as “shell-shock” in the military, until an improved and more inclusive definition of the disease was discovered. Wartime environments contain a multitude of factors which are all potential causes of PTSD such as duress accredited to resounding explosions, pressure to survive, being far from home, and moral injury. Even though PTSD manifests itself so frequently in soldiers, there is little care provided for treatment of PTSD. This is a dangerous issue considering the close link between PTSD, suicide, and depression. Readily available, empathetic, and compassionate health care is a necessity for combatting this illness. Soldiers fight to protect the lives of American citizens, and deserve to be protected by those for whom they fought. The military should provide more funding, and better, more available health care for their soldiers because of the rise of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the armed services and the unfavorable effects it has on the armed services.

Ketamine is contraindicated in patients with hypertension, cardiac disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke, head trauma or intracranial mass, or intracranial bleeding, or in other patients

Trial results showed that 24 hours after the ketamine infusion, the patient’s IES-R (impact of event scale – revised) score was significantly improved compared to when patients were on midazolam. (mean difference = 12.7, P = 0.02) In addition, patients who were on ketamine first retained symptom reduction when switched over to midazolam. Secondary outcomes studied looked at the effects of the medications on the patient’s CAPS and QIDS-SR scores, but these did not differ significantly. The study also looked at the effects of ketamine on depression in this population and showed that it was

Dr. Shiraldi states in his book, The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook Second Edition: A Guide to Healing, Recovery, and Growth, that PTSD is “a normal response by normal people to abnormal situation” (2009). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) recognized Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a mental disorder in 1980 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It is a long-term reaction to exposure to severe traumatic events in an individual’s life. These exposures might include rape, war, abuse, natural disaster or other extreme stressors. Man-made, intentional causes are usually the most complex situations to recover from, with those caused by nature being the least emotionally impacting long-term.

Ketamine has been tested in treatment-resistant bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and people in a suicidal crisis in emergency rooms. Benefit is often of a short duration. The quality of the evidence supporting benefit is generally

Veteran courts were established to help counsel, mentor, and treat veterans with the care they needed. The court was established by Robert Russell in Buffalo, NY after he noticed a rise in veterans returning to his court. The court provides these veterans what they need to get back on track. These veteran courts should be an alternate to these once soldiers, so they can get the necessary treatment.

It is believed that a chemical called amphetamine was created in 1887 in Germany. The chemical amphetamine was later “synthesized” (adding some extra molecules) by a Japanese chemist to create the drug we are now familiar with, Methamphetamine (Norquist, 2012, p. 8). Methamphetamine (chemical related to amphetamine) became widely used during World War II as an injectable drug that was given to soldiers as sort of pick me up for various missions (Website). Methamphetamine was known to keep soldiers focused, boost energy and be able to “perform under the extreme duress of war” (Reding, 2009, p. 45). The Japanese also would give high doses of methamphetamine to their Kamikaze pilots who were on sent on suicide missions (Website). Later Japan made the drug available to the public because of the overabundant amounts left from the war. This caused epidemic abuse of injectable methamphetamine issues for their country. In the 1950’s methamphetamine became a prescribed drug which combated depression and a diet aid (Website). Methamphetamine was also often used as stimulant for college students, truck drivers, etc. which contributed to methamphetamine abuse across all socioeconomic groups, ages, and populations

Depression affects over 121,000,000 people worldwide and the global mortality rate for depression is over 830,000 per year. Completed suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in women and the 5th leading cause of death in men. According to a global survey on depression, carried out by the World Health Organsation, over 15% of people in countries with high

Amphetamine, first synthesized in 1887 in Germany, “was for a long time, a drug in search of a disease.” ("History of Methamphetamine.") In 1919 a stronger substance was formed in Japan. ("History of Methamphetamine.") This new substance was soluble making it easier to inject. ("History of Methamphetamine.") During World War II methamphetamine use skyrocketed, both the Allies and Axis were using it to keep their troops awake. ("The History of Crystal Methamphetamine - Drug-Free World.") “High doses were given to Japanese Kamikaze pilots before their suicide missions.” ("The History of Crystal Methamphetamine - Drug-Free World.") Then after the end of the war usage of methamphetamine by injection became rampant when supplies for the Japanese army became publically available.

The main uses of kratom for why people have chosen this lesser potent option over opiate medications consist of analgesic pain relief, mild stimulant, anti-diarrhea properties, and opiate addiction treatment. With the abundant alkaloid content of kratom, the most significant psychoactive ingredients are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. The former being an opioid agonist acts similarly with true opiates like heroin among others. The difference between the mitragynine compound and opiates is that the latter is attracted more to the mu-opioid receptors in the brain, while mitragynine prefers the delta-opioid receptors. The ingredients that attach to each specific type of receptors present opposite effects.

Imagine a soldier who has been actively serving honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Envision the exhilaration and excitement as this soldier anticipates the rapidly approaching arrival date of contract termination. Imagine a soldier who may have not sacrificed his/her own life, but family, education, comfortability, individual liberty, happiness, and the pursuit of personal hobbies and dreams. This soldier along with 1,301,300 other active duty soldiers in the United States of America presently 2016-2017 (U.S. Military Personnel End.) makes the sacrifices that this soldier you are imagining makes everyday.

In August of 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration placed a notice of intent on kratom. Which in return banned the so called drug in the United States from being sold, distributed or consumed, legally. The outlaw of the drug caused nationwide controversy from people who said it was erroneous, to individuals who believed the ban was needed to avoid potential abuse and fatalities. Kratom, an opioid-related substance has been taken by users who want a boost of energy or need help managing pain. Its long been identified a supplement, carelessly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, a painkiller that could relieve PTSD in former soldiers or potentially kill an average American looking for something less than illegal painkillers.

Depression is the most common of all psychological disorders, affecting 100 million people worldwide. The depression ranges from mild feelings of uneasiness, sadness, and apathy to intense suicidal despair. (Kasschau) If left untreated, it could lead the