Evidence Based Treatment : Coping With Ptsd For Veterans

Over the last decade, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have drastically increased the need for effective mental health services and treatment for U.S. veterans and service members, especially those suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Nearly 1.5 million American service members have been deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) since the attack on the Twin Towers in September 2001 (Price, Gros, Strachan, Ruggiero, & Acierno, 2013). Approximately 25% of soldiers and wounded warriors returning home from OEF/OIF present with mental illness due to combat-related violence and other trauma exposure (Steinberg & Eisner, 2015). According to Price and colleagues (2013), OEF/OIF soldiers and veterans are at greater risk for developing mental illness compared to others who served in past military operations.

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) was initially a movement in medicine, dating back to early 20th century (Spring, 2007). It was described as a careful decision making process about the care of individual patients using best available evidence by Sackett, Rosenberg, Gary, Haynes, and Richardson (1996). Greenhalgh (2010) gave a similar definition but with more emphasis on the mathematical assessment of the potential benefit and harm. By now, EBP has been widely adopted by many health disciplines, including psychology. In 2005, the American

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or seeing a terrifying event. PTSD and depression are the two most common mental health problems faced by returning troops. “In about 11 to 20% of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.. Have been diagnosed with PTSD,” (War Casualties). War obviously takes a toll on veterans in numerous ways. Varying from physically to mentally. Not all of them develop problems but a noticeable amount have been diagnosed. There are veterans or active duty soldiers that return home who don’t seek treatment due to the fact they feel alone. PTSD can be life threatening if it is not treated. Returning home and trying to adjust to

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder affects 40 million adults age 18 and over, and has many different symptoms; these include, but are not limited to: nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, depression, emotional instability, insomnia, and poor concentration. Stress disorders occur when someone experiences stress outside the realm of normal experience for adults and children, furthermore, causes of PTSD stem from experiences or the witnessing of a life changing event such as; military combat, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, serious accidents, physical and/or sexual abuse. Many folks suffer through the disorder, often unaware that such events would leave them with a possible debilitating disorder if left untreated, thus by being aware of the causes

For reference, evidence based practice (EBP) is defined as “the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture and preferences” (American Psychological Association, 2005, p.5).

Soldiers from combat missions face a variety of challenges when conforming to a civilian lifestyle. The fact that there are many of the identification issues and the influence of the environment, soldiers tend to exhibit Post-Traumatic stress disorders. The manifestation of the Post-Traumatic disorder PTSD leads to the development of traumatic brain syndrome and other problems. Service men and women have taken part in many war missions, and a number of them return from mission with mental health problems. Through the years, the USA military has conducted a lot of studies and clinical trials on the influence of Post-Traumatic stress disorder on men and women in service. The aim of these studies is to prevent the development of the disorders in adult populations. Populations of these studies include patients in treatment or those already treated in DOD hospitals. The clinical setting is conducive for the study and health professionals abide to some guidelines (Mulhall, 1998).

One group of people at risk for developing PTSD are those who have experienced military combat. Although it is difficult to provide a definitive number of veterans with current PTSD, the following data provide some insight into prevalence rates. Hoge et al. (2004) assessed Army combat troops for PTSD one month prior to deployment and four months postdeployment. Marine Corps combat troops were also assessed for PTSD, however, this group was only assessed for PTSD after deployment. Their data estimated prevalence of PTSD for the Army study group before deployment to Iraq to be at 9% and after deployment to Iraq at 18%. The researchers also provided data for Afghanistan post deployment rates of PTSD for the Army group to be at 11.5%. Additionally,

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is an ailment of the mind that occurs when the brain experiences or witnesses a life-threatening event. This includes military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, physical or sexual abuse in adulthood and childhood, or the threat of murder (source and shit). Those who have this disorder suffer from re-experiencing the trauma (including intrusive thoughts of the event, nightmares and flashbacks) emotional arousal (easily irritated, trouble sleeping, and jumpy behavior), emotional numbness, and avoidance of people, places, and activities that remind them of the trauma (ADAA source). For those who develop this disorder, life can become a struggle

The literature has shown children dealing with PTSD have many intervention tools that can be administered by clinicians in direct practice. PTSD can present symptoms that are often diagnosed as anther disorder such as oppositional defiant, conduct, mild TBI, and separation anxiety. There are many evidence-based intervention tools used in treatment such as recovery techniques, pharmacotherapy, psychoeducation, psychodynamic and cognitive behaviour therapy. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is the most used intervention tool in direct practice, and it is used in countries around the world. CBT is used with children with different ethnicities with ages ranging from preschool to high school. Many clinicians use CBT with other intervention treatment

First, what is PTSD? PTSD is a mental illness. It stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is developed after a traumatic event. It makes the sufferer feel very nervous and as if they are still in danger. They think they are still reliving the traumatic event they suffered through. Everyone who suffers from it has different experiences.

Integrated treatment programs along with evidence supporting its effectiveness are later brought up in this article, along with The Department of Veterans Affair recently drafting policy changes in predicting future positive outcomes of PTSD/SUD

Additionally, I am an avid supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and other veteran-aimed charitable organizations. Through volunteering and endorsing these organizations, I have gained a deeper knowledge of just how much PTSD actually changes life for a person. Finally, this particular season encouraged me to write about this particular topic. As we approach Independence Day, we often start setting off fireworks days, even weeks, in advance of the actual date. Fortunately, more awareness is being brought to this issue, but people still tend to forget to be courteous with the way they set off fireworks late at night and days in advance without warning.

Millions of people suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and struggle to find an effective treatment option. Many people have the misconception that only our veterans have this condition but in actuality over 8% of the Unites States population have this mental illness. Researchers have been trying to study and determine what the best treatment options are. Patients can get confused and frustrated in trying to find a treatment that will fit their needs and gives them the best opportunity and chance of recovery. Research has indicated that drug therapy has limited results when used without therapy and may only treat symptoms (Wright 2013). Although many

What do you do when you experience a life threatening, traumatic event, and months later you are still experiencing the same frightening responses? Individuals who experience trauma are often forced to face their problems long after the event has happened. The first step to dealing with this issue would be to seek professional help as soon as possible so that they may be properly diagnosed and receive accurate treatment to overcome the intrusive symptoms. An individual who is suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have experienced, witnessed, or was affected by a life

The main thrust of Reed’s position paper is a discussion concerning ‘Evidence Based Practice’ (EBP), viewed by those in the psychology field as a three legged stool, consisting of the integration of: ‘Clinical Expertise’; ‘Patient Values’; and ‘Best Research Evidence’. All of which are incorporated into the decision making process for patient care.