Influence Of A Caregiver 's Personality And Resiliency On Their Likelihood Of Developing Secondary Ptsd

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exerts a heavy, enduring influence on the lives of many United States veterans. The statistics are grave: 30.9% of male Vietnam veterans and 26.9% of female Vietnam veterans report a lifetime prevalence of PTSD symptoms (Staples, Hamilton, & Uddo, 2013). In 2005, 14 years after the conclusion of the Gulf war, veterans continued to report PTSD rates at 15.2%. In more recent years, 13.8% Iraq war veterans from 2007 to 2008 reported PTSD symptoms (Staples, Hamilton, & Uddo, 2013). Deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan is associated with a three-fold risk in developing PTSD symptoms (Khusid, 2013). However, in spite of the wide prevalence of PTSD among

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a commonly recognized stress disorder found in many combat soldiers after exposure to life-threatening and traumatic experiences. Since 2001, the prevalence of PTSD has increased with over 2.4 million troops deployed to warzones in Afghanistan and Iraq (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2012). Although researchers and civilians commonly understand symptoms of PTSD, they often fail to recognize the difficulties veterans’ face- reintegration into civilian society, alienation, and identity crises (Demers, 2011). Currently there exist two major sources for best practice guidelines in the management of PTSD. They include the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Post-traumatic

Post-traumatic stress disorder has always been an important issue to me. PTSD became an interest of mine when I saw the effects that it has on my husband and other Veterans suffering from the same issue. I wanted to pursue this research topic to further education myself, and inform others. PTSD not only effects the Veterans mentally, but it also has an effect on their family members as well, living with someone who is easily startled, has nightmares, or avoids social situations can take a toll on everybody. In this particular topic, I will focus on inquiring information about combat Veterans, families of combat Veterans, and others interested in learning or gaining more information about post-traumatic stress disorder. I will inform my audience about this topic through various reports from past century wars and convince my audience on how post- traumatic stress disorder effects combat Veterans later in life. I am conducting this project with combat Veterans, and their families in mind as my audience. Family members of a combat Veteran may not know the signs and symptoms of PTSD.

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

Formerly seen in individuals from combat, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is now seen in civilians following traumatic events, ranging from violence, accidents, serious injury and life threatening illness (Association, 2000). PTSD has debilitating psycho-emotional and psychobiological effects, which can impair an individual’s daily life and can be life threatening. Consequently, individuals with PTSD often experience difficulties in maintaining relationships, which often leads to “occupational instability, martial problems and divorces, and family dispute and difficulties in parenting” (Iribarren, Prolo, Neagos, & Chiappelli, 2005). In some cases, PTSD can be severe enough to hinder the individual’s daily life and can lead to suicidal tendencies (Iribarren et al., 2005). Having this knowledge, PTSD is marked as a psychiatric disorder and has been identified as comorbid with other disorders, such as major depressive disorder (Oquendo et al., 2005). According to recent statistics, the National Center for PTSD estimated that 7.8% of the U.S. population would suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives, with women (10.4%) twice as likely than men (5%) (Iribarren et al., 2005; Kessler, Sonnega, Bromet, Hughes, & Nelson, 1995). However, given the worldwide turmoil, it is possible the numbers will increase and may even become a significant health concern of this century, since PTSD symptoms rarely disappear completely. Recovery from PTSD can elicit more stress, since it

During the 1980’s an anxiety disorder known as PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, was recognized when one experienced something horrific and then began to re-experience the traumatic event (Bobo, Warner, and Warner 799). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can not be cured, only treated. PTSD was originally brought into perspective when combat Veterans could no longer face their experiences on the battlefield. As years went on, victims of rape, assault, or witnesses of a traumatic event were also diagnosed with PTSD. Although society knows the name of this disorder, PTSD is often underrecognized and under-treated (Bobo, Warner, and Warner 797). Many know that it is an anxiety disorder, but few understand the risks that come along with it.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects 11-20% of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, 10% of Gulf War veterans and 30% of Vietnam War veterans. With many young men and women shipping off to join the military service, the thought of being one of the 20 out of 100 coming back from the Iraq or Afghanistan wars to suffer from PTSD is a scary thought. Little is known about PTSD and all major research being done on PTSD has been completed in only the last 30 years. This excludes many of the veterans of World War 1 and World War 2, the most gruesome war in the last century. The government is steadily increasing the benefits and services available to veterans suffering from PTSD symptoms

Roughly two million troops have been deployed to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan since September 2001. Current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in a number of investigations examining the post deployment mental health among military personnel serving in these regions. The primary focus of research on returning veteran has been on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), specifically on the etiology, preventative measures, and treatment of PTSD. Some of the risk factors for military members to develop PTSD include: combat experience, being wounded, witnessing death, serving on graves registration duty or handling human remains, being captured or tortured, being exposed to unpredictable and uncontrollable stress, and experiencing sexual harassment or assault (Institute of Medicine,

The military serves as a major component in our nation 's security. All people around the country continue to rely on them every day to defend our nation’s freedom. Without a doubt, the complex responsibilities of military members encompass large amounts of anxiety, selfless service, and occasionally, terrifying events that cause a negative influence on a person’s life. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious and tragic illness among members serving in our military. Mayo Clinic (2014a) defines PTSD as a " mental health condition that 's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it" (p.361). In certain circumstances, this is a daily experience for many members of the military, but more specifically, the significant impact it has on the groups of men that conduct patrols, air- raids, and a variety of other special operations in the most dangerous territories in the world.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after experiencing a dangerous and/or terrifying event (Psychology Today, 2015). PTSD is associated with changes in brain function and structure and these changes provide clues to the causes, treatment, and prevention of PTSD (PTSD United, 2013). This condition can appear at any age and currently affects about 7.7 million American adults (Psychology Today, 2015). Before 1980, the legitimacy of PTSD was debated by the general public as well as health professionals (PTSD United, 2013). At one point in time, it was considered a psychological condition of combat veterans who were dismayed by and unable to deal with their experiences on the battlefield (PTSD United, 2013).

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.

Post traumatic stress disorder is a psychological disorder in which the survivors of a traumatic incident or experience. Examples of this could include but are not limited to death, rape, survivors of a terrorist attack, or soldiers at war. Survivors of these incidents have a series of various symptoms (Wangelin, & Tuerk, 2014). These symptoms include, but are not limited to, irritating flashbacks, nightmares, angry outbursts, and trouble sleeping (Wangelin,, 2014). These symptoms seem to be prevalent in soldiers coming back from war and may negatively effect their personal and social lives. They are affected easily because of the trauma faced in their day to day lives. According to Wangelin (2014), between 8 and 20 percent of soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan have experienced some form of PTSD . This number comes out to between 192,000 and 480,000 soldiers. This paper will explain Post Traumatic stress disorder, its causes, and the effects it has on the soldiers life and their families. Also, gender differences and treatment will be taken into consideration.

A study was performed on Iraq/Afghanistan soldiers to see the effects of PTSD and how common it was in these certain employments. The three following questions were looked at as the main focal points in the research:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), triggered by exposure to a traumatic event, is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent nightmares or flashbacks, avoiding reminders/recounting the event, distorted mental processes or emotional numbing, and a persistently high state of arousal and reactivity (Institute of Medicine , 2014). While this mental disorder does appear in society as a whole, its prevalence in the U.S. military is cause for concern. Cited as the “most commonly identified psychological clinical disorder stemming from the war” (PTSD May Be Greatest Injury of War Today, 2008), in 2012, 5.2% of all service members were diagnosed with PTSD, while 8.0% of all previously deployed service members received the diagnosis (Institute of Medicine , 2014). Experiencing trauma caused by combat exposure is a relatively normal occurrence within today’s military. Nonetheless, not all soldiers will be diagnosed with or experience the side effects of PTSD. Physicians are unsure why some individuals develop PTSD over others; however, it is believed that a mix of interrelated elements can increase the probability that exposure to a traumatic event will result in the disorder, such as inherited mental health risks and personality factors, previous life experiences and an individual’s unique chemical response(s) to stress (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). Due to its prevalence in the military community, human service professionals (HSPs) should expect to come in contact with

The number of veterans returning from the Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) conflicts that are afflicted with posttraumatic stress disorder is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands (Kip, et al., 2013, p. 1298), demonstrating the importance of the social worker to be knowledgeable of the symptoms and treatment of this disabling trauma. The purpose of this literature review is to address the issue of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), address the symptoms linked to PTSD, and the methods used in the assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder with emphasis on military combat-related PTSD. In addition, the literature review will identify the interventions by social work, if any, when addressing PTSD and the role social workers may play when assisting those with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder.