Path To Stability

In the past, veterans who disclosed suffering from signs of PTSD encountered a great deal of ignorance and bias. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (n.d.), veterans who had the illness were often considered weak, were rejected by comrades, and even faced discharge from military service. In fact, even physicians and mental health specialists often questioned the existence of the disease, which of course led to society’s misconception of PTSD in general. Sadly because of this existing prejudice it appears even today soldiers are still worried to admit having PTSD symptoms, and therefore they do not receive the proper support they need. While individuals are assured that their careers will not be affected, and seeking help is encouraged, most soldiers see it as a failure to admit having a mental health illness (Zoroya, 2013). Educating military personal of this illness, and making sure no blame is put on the veterans who encounter this disease is therefore vital.

99). Similarly, both articles mentioned PTSD symptoms as being a barrier overlapping with depression. Baker, Kilmer, Lemmer, Goldsmith, and Pittman (2012) provided more in-depth information that focused primarily on PTSD and depression as to where Connor et.al (2013) looked into more barriers other than the overlapping symptoms as being reasons for barriers for treatment in combat veterans.  Baker et. al (2012) examined 2 significant mental  health issues including PTSD and depression in OEF/OIF combat veterans in their entire research study.  These researchers found that health related quality of life (HRQoL) is highly affected in both disorders. Although the study used a clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS) as well as standardized and structured interviews conducting to the DSM-5 criteria, the fact alone remains that the overlapping symptoms could be difficult for veterans to understand. The participants in this study consisted of 200 OEF/OIF veterans who completed an interview as well as self-report questionnaires. The sample included 95% men, 45% active duty, 55% veteran; ages 19-52, median 27%; 77% non-Hispanic/Latino, and 80% white. The findings revealed that PTSD and depression have overlapping symptoms as anhedonia, concentration, and insomnia. In conclusion, the results from the

After nearly 15 years of continuous military intervention and direct combat action, soldiers returning from overseas deployments have increasingly experienced blast related traumatic brain injuries (blast induced traumatic brain injury). The asymmetrical nature of modern warfare coupled with a large insurgency has led to a shift in the class of combat casualties which occur on the contemporary battlefield. The large number of improvised explosive devises encountered by American troops has produced a dramatic rise in the number of blast related blast induced traumatic brain injury victims returning from the battlefield. During the war in Iraq nearly half of the combat injuries experienced resulted from neurotrauma related to blast exposure (Dries, 2012). Blast induced traumatic brain injury can manifest symptoms through a myriad of physical, psychological, and cognitive deficiencies due to the pathoanotomical and

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.

The mission statement of the VA Social Workers is to eliminate significant barriers to clients in need and offer interventions for veterans and families. It is accomplished by developing and maintaining integrated, in-depth programs in patient care, research, and education (Hoffer, Elizabeth. F., Dekle, Judith. Ward., & Sheets, Carol., 2014). Its proposed 11 percent to 20 percent of Iraq, Afghanistan veterans as well as 30 percent of Vietnam vets encounter (PTSD) posttraumatic stress disorder traumatic incidents like combat can lead to PTSD, military sexual trauma of military service member, and veterans may possibly deal with depression, anxiety in addition to other mental health concerns. Vets distress from these mental health and cognitive

Rates of trauma and mental illness are reported to be disproportionately higher among American veterans, especially those of the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The barriers to care after civilian reentry further disadvantage this already vulnerable population. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been the longest sustained US military operations since the Vietnam era, sending more than 2.2 million troops into battle and resulting in more than 6,600 deaths and 48,000 injuries. Veterans are at risk mental health challenges, as well as family instability, elevated rates of homelessness, and joblessness. Veterans have disproportionate rates of mental illness, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse disorders, depression, anxiety, and military sexual trauma.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the military are a tangible threat to the men and women of the United States military. Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have created a spotlight on this injury, as the “signature injury”. Specific criteria makeup the definition of a TBI, which is certain symptoms and severity levels of those symptoms. Due to the capacity of this injury, the Department of Defense (DoD) and Congress have created mandates, along with treatment methods, and the ability to achieve an end goal of aiding an individual’s complete recovery.

Since the military and VA healthcare systems are familiar with the high prevalence rate of PTSD among combat veterans, Capehart and Bass (2012) sought to address four primary objectives related to managing comorbid PTSD and TBI: cognitive problems, blast as an injury source for TBI, diagnosis and management of PTSD in the setting of mTBI, and management of additional neuropsychiatric comorbidity in the combat veteran with PTSD and mTBI. Although no clear guide exists on the simultaneous management of these conditions and managing PTSD and TBI remains challenging for the Dpartment of Defense (DOD) and VA clinicians in mental health and primary care, the researchers suggest that using psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy,

I find it troubling that our Soldier’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms are being discredited by the medical community. It appears as though there has been a shift in our commitment to the health of the men and women who served this nation. These ideas connect to the overall ideas of the unit because it provides greater insight on challenges that patients and medical professionals experience when coping with cognitive health concerns. I do not have any personal experience associated with PTSD; however, the problem that I find in this article is that it suggests the effects of trauma which causes PTSD can be measured by a universal criteria. For example, I believe this research should consider that each individual has a unique level of tolerance to trauma which may cause them to respond in varying degrees of severity. Additionally, a patient’s inability to accurately express their symptoms may play a major factor which is causing this disparity. I recommend that further research should be conducted to

The wars of Iraq and Afghanistan have not only renewed the appreciation for our nation’s military, but it has also raised awareness about the sacrifices and the culture that is produced through the ranks in uniform and also amongst veterans. While it is important to note how the Department of Defense, and The Department of Veteran Affairs have significantly ramped up their efforts to address and identify the transitional problems that affect many veterans, barriers to treatment remain along with the challenge to provide successful outreach through benefits and mental health services to the Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), veteran population.

To effectively treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD in combat Veterans and service members, therapists use different techniques, which are preceded by addressing any underlying pain associated with the disorder. In their research, Chard et al. (2011) reported significant modifications to the CPT protocol for use with patients in a TBI-PTSD residential treatment facility, including increasing the number of sessions per week, combining group and individual therapy, and augmenting the treatment with cognitive rehabilitation. However, their research was marred with the use of few participants which provides doubts regarding the outcome of the proposed treatment procedures. Moreover, the researchers do not state with certainty as to the

Traumatic brain injuries (T.B.I.) can happen when people are injured during and after military service. They must find ways to cope with the symptoms and cope with separation from the military. People will use illicit drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and misuse prescription drugs as a mechanism and the objective of this study is to understand the impact of TBI and military service on substance use norms of soldiers and their partners. These norms are important in neuroscience because they create problems in a person’s brain and life. Environmental factors such as being in the military puts people at risk for physical and mental damage. A person can receive damage if they are struck in the head or are affected by a nearby explosion. TBI symptoms will appear after a few days, weeks, or months depending on how severe the injury is. If couples have high approval of these norms, there can be possible long-term effects on the individual.

T. Stecker, J. Fortney, F. Hamilton, and I. Ajzen, 2007, address that mental health symptoms have the likelihood to increase within post deployment for military veterans, especially for the ones who have seen combat. An estimated quarter of recent war veterans who are currently receiving care in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Health Care System have reported mental health problems. Soldiers who have served in Iraq come home suffering from depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Statistics of Iraq soldiers meeting the criteria for depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is greater than the soldiers who served in Afghanistan. The mental health symptom rates for soldiers who served in Iraq were as high as 20% for PTSD, 18% for anxiety, and 15% for depression.

According to a Tanielian and Jaycox (2008) study, as of September 2014 there were approximately 2.7 million American veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars”. Of the 2.7 million at least 20% of the veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan wars obtained PTSD and/or depression. However, it was noted that when interviewed, the military counselors stated that they believe that the percentage rate of veterans with PTSD was much higher. The number is said to continue to increase when combined with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The health effects following exposure to blast impact are a growing concern in the United States, especially in the military population. The United State’s involvement in warfare in recent years has led to many unseen developments not only psychologically but also physically in the service men and women returning home. Technological changes in current years have allowed for the development of various types of lethal weaponry, such as with high-intensity explosive devices. Improvised explosive devices, known as IEDs have largely been used in recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The use of IEDs in combat has led to debilitating losses and handicaps experienced by some of our military personnel, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). The