How Can You Help Soldiers That Have Served For You?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a relatively new diagnosis that was associated with survivors of war when it was first introduced. Its diagnosis was met largely with skepticism and dismissal by the public of the validity of the illness. PTSD was only widely accepted when it was included as a diagnosis in 1980 in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) of the American Psychiatric Association. PTSD is a complex mental disorder that develops in response to exposure to a severe traumatic event that stems a cluster of symptoms. Being afflicted with the disorder is debilitating, disrupting an individual’s ability to function and perform the most basic tasks.

Today, hundreds of thousands of service men and women and recent military veterans have seen combat. Many have been shot at, seen their buddies killed, or witnessed death up close. These are types of events that can lead to Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder ("Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD: A Growing Epidemic. “) Anyone that has gone through a traumatic event can be diagnosed with PTSD but research shows, military men and women are more susceptible to having PTSD (PTSD: A Growing Epidemic.) And, with little help from the US, many Veterans do not get the help they need or get treated for PTSD. Military men and women begin to

PTSD has had a major impact on veterans and their families who have fought in war. Studies show that over the past 13 years, about 500,000 US soldiers have been diagnosed with the disorder (Thomas). This does not only cause problems for the veteran with PTSD, but the families are affected in many ways also. This disorder has done as much as destroyed relationships and families.

I found a number of services that are currently available to Veterans that suffer from PTSD and their families such as counseling for individuals, groups, and families at all Va hospitals.

Post traumatic stress disorder is characterized by a history of exposure to a traumatic event. The majority of veterans suffer with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after fighting in war(s). As stated by Galbicsek, “Almost 30 percent of Vietnam veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD at some point in their lives. Between 11 and 20 percent of those who fought in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom suffer from PTSD (Carol, “Galbicsek”). More than a quarter of veterans after fighting for these wars experience PTSD.

Today, 44.7 million veterans are struggling with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD Stats). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental disorder common found in veterans who came back from war. We can express our appreciation to our veterans by creating more support programs, help them go back to what they enjoy the most, and let them know we view them as a human not a disgrace.

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

When Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is mentioned or thought of, often the thought that enters the mind is military veterans who have witnessed, experienced and even suffered the tragic or violent events of war. It is true military experience can trigger PTSD and PTSD was brought to the attention of the medical profession by war veterans. According to the National Center for PTSD between 11 – 20% of those who served in Iraqi, 12% of those who served in Desert Storm and the numbers have been adjust to 30% of those who served in Vietnam have been diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime. The National Center for PTSD goes on to list another cause of PTSD in the

PTSD having been on the rise following various deployments necessitated by the various wars against terror, where the soldiers encounter traumatic experiences like harsh training conditions, unfavorable living standards, enemy attacks, extreme working environment, explosions, torture by enemies, loss of colleagues as well as long term separation from family back at home (Melinda S & Jeanne S., 2012). This therefore calls for a concerted effort in handling the pandemic of PTSD since it has been constantly on the increase and as a

Post-traumatic stress disorder is when someone has gone through or witnessed a traumatic event and was effected by it. For veterans who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder normally have had a traumatic event happen while in combat or serving our country. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder caused from being a veteran are as followed: panic attacks, nightmares, disturbing thoughts, angry outburst, depression, reexperiencing the traumatic event(s), flash-backs, insomnia, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, poor concentration, avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), avoidance of feelings or thoughts connected with the traumatic event(s), being extremely aware of surroundings, and sometimes

Military Pathway (2013) concluded “Military life, especially the stress of deployments or mobilizations, can present challenges to service members and their families that are both unique and difficult”. Hence, it is not surprising that soldiers returning from a stressful war environment often suffer from a psychological condition called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This paper provides a historical perspective of PTSD affecting soldiers, and how this illness has often been ignored. In addition, the this paper examines the cause and diagnosis of the illness, the changes of functional strengths and limitations, the overall effects this disease may have on soldiers and their families, with a conclusion of

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) has always been an issue especially with those that have experienced sexual assault, a traumatic accident or injury, being a prisoner of war, or participated in combat. Sadly, ever since the Iraq war, PTSD has been becoming even more widespread. Soldiers have been diagnosed with chronic PTSD and the medication has not been helping. PTSD causes a variety types of symptoms including: flashbacks, nightmares, recurring visual images of the traumatic experience, negative mood, avoiding situations that can cause a flashback, feeling disconnected from other people, being easily started, insomnia, and poor concentration. PTSD affects approximately 8 percent of all Americans at some point in their life, and 30%

Soldiers who return home may not only have physical setbacks, but are mentally traumatized from what they have witnessed while serving our country. Veterans are more prone to be diagnosed with PTSD due to the combat they experience or witness on the field. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans has been prevalent for decades and there is still no known treatment option that has been found entirely effective. Many Vietnam veterans who never sought treatment due to the nonexistent “support for the troops” have been covering up their symptoms for approximately forty years. Countless soldiers return home without jobs and some feel like their whole world

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is something that has plagued the military for years. Coined as "Shell Shock" during World War I, symptoms included "fatigue, tremor, confusion, nightmares and impaired sight and hearing" (Dr. Edward Jones 2012, 2). Very similar to the modern PTSD victim, these symptoms can quickly turn life altering. Many things can strike a PTSD flashback, an unexpected loud noise, and a familiar smell, pent up stress, even something such as driving down the road. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, over 1.8 million men and women have deployed in support of the War on Terror, and since it’s begging, over 300,000 service members have been treated for Post Traumatic Stress. This totals approximately 18% of all returning veterans. As shocking as this number is, this only reflects the amount of veterans that have sought treatment. Many more turn to other sources to deal with their problems.

What is Post traumatic Stress Disorder or more commonly known as PTSD? It is unfortunately an affliction that has been generalized to a veteran issue as a negative side effect of enlistment and deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan, it is the “Agent Orange” of my generation. If you are unaware “Agent Orange” was a chemical that the military used in Vietnam as a chemical defoliant to ensure leaves would fall of the plants effectively removing forms of cover the Viet Cong troops used, as well as crops that were given in support of them. It has now been linked to causing various types of cancers and other medical issues not previously expected, this of course added more stigma to plague veterans of a long hated war. The biggest difference between Vietnam and now is that we are a volunteer force not like Vietnam which was a draft opposed by many, which has led to an apathy to fall on the American public.