Veterans In The Military Essay

PTSD, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of a life-threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood. Most survivors of trauma return to normal given a little time. However, some people will have stress reactions that do not go away on their own, or may even get worse over time. These individuals may develop PTSD. People who suffer from PTSD often relive the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and feel detached or estranged, and these symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly impair the person’s daily life.

As awareness grows relating to the mental health problems of those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), much of the focus has been on providing adequate and effective care to the newest population of combat veterans. Although efforts have significantly increased with the employment of Evidence Based Practices (EBP) and while the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA), have updated their clinical practice guidelines, barriers remain and reaching the majority of this particular population remains a challenge.

Post-Traumatic stress disorder, commonly known as PTSD, is on a rise in our country and expected to rise more in the coming years (Iribarren, Prolo, Neagos, & Chiappelli, 2005). PTSD is a psychiatric disorder than can result from the experience or witnessing of traumatic or life-threatening events (Iribarren, Prolo, Neagos, & Chiappelli, 2005). According to the Evidence based article examples of PTSD are terrorist attack, violent crime and abuse, military combat, natural disasters, serious accidents or violent personal assaults (Iribarren, Prolo, Neagos, & Chiappelli, 2005). PTSD has also been liked to possible exposure to environmental toxins such as Agent Orange or electromagnetic radiation (Iribarren, Prolo, Neagos, & Chiappelli, 2005).

The OPORD 14-83 is the federal level regulation in the Military that addresses the issue of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, depression and suicide. These health issues are not new phenomena’s, especially in the military health system. PTSD can be dated back to WWI, when it was simply called “shell-shocked”. However, with the co-occurring Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and the number of soldiers returning with mental health concerns, this issue has been pushed to the forefront of the media. Every shooting, suicide, or homicide involving a service member, the news makes a point that these service members must have gone untreated. Even the president of the United States passed an executive order to address the mental health crisis (Executive order, 2012). It is alarming that RESPECT-Mil and the OPORD 14-83 are not discussed in conjunction with the numerous news stories about ailing service members. No major editorial or newspaper has discussed this policy, however, more targeted sources such as Medical Daily, local base papers such as the Ft. Campbell Courier. Huffington Post online was the most publically broadcasted article about the policy. The article titled Military Mental Health Care: One Size Does Not Fit All, was written by Dr. Engel in 2010 and updated in 2011. In this article, he praised and discussed what he described as the high-quality specialized care program that is mandated in all Army primary care clinics (Engel, C. 2010).However, this article was not in regards to

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that is normally associated with military combat veterans. Specifically, it is classified as an anxiety disorder that sometimes occurs after being exposed to a traumatic or terrifying event or incident. The Mayo Clinic defines PTSD as a mental health condition that 's triggered by a terrifying event. It is also defined as an anxiety disorder that can develop after the exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened (Staff, 2014). PTST affects a significant number of our military combat veterans; it can affect anyone who has been subjected to such things as terror events, natural disasters, domestic violence, serious traffic

Men and Women who served for their country should be given all respect and care when they return home. Veterans come home with injuries that can affect them from living a healthy comfortable life. Their injuries can be from physical to mental injuries like PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from combat. Veterans who come home with these injuries should be provided, by the government, health care where they can live an enjoyable life. Having veterans take an alternative rout like qualifying for medicade could help a lot of these people struggling. Many of these veterans are also homeless and need help finding jobs. Government programs could be put in place that could help find jobs for the veterans. Veterans should be able to come home and life a healthy happy life where they can contribute back to there societies. Governments should provide for the needs of the veterans to keep them healthy and supply them with jobs so they have food, clothes, and shelter.

There are multiple mental illnesses and diseases that everyone has the chance of catching. One in particular is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a condition that someone experiences when trauma related symptoms or impairment in everyday functioning last for a month to a lifetime (1). It occurs when someone can not bounce back from a traumatic event or experience. Even though some people can be in the exact situation and be the same age and gender there is a chance that only one will develop PTSD. Why is that? There are many possible reasons why some people develop PTSD and others do not, the main reasons are thought to be a person 's background, genetics and environment.

PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an increasing problem in our country. PTSD has its roots in the military, but the entire populace is subject to its effects. I served my country for the past 21 years and have seen the before and after of the effects of combat, so any discussions about PTSD, diagnosis, treatments, and cures is likely to catch my eye. In this paper, we will discuss the basics on PTSD, current rates in society, and list the possible cures and or treatments that are currently in use. The prevalence in society should show that all people should be familiar with the signs and systems, as well as knowing some of the basic treatments to assist afflicted individuals. The goal of this paper is to provide just that for the reader.

The fast paced, often demanding world of life in the military, and the experiences of combat and death, create situations in which many veterans experience psychological stress. These stressful situations are typically complicated further by the self-medication of substance use, and other psychological disorders that may be present. There is a large number of military personnel that are facing stressful issues such as homelessness, suicide, and substance abuse, which could lead to them getting involved with the criminal justice system. There is approximately 18.5% of service members returning from Iraq or Afghanistan that suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, and about 19.5% of military personnel report experiencing a traumatic brain injury during their deployment in the middle east (Veterans and Military Families, 2014).

Deployments play a major role and are a real part of serving in the military. Some men deploy for a few months, most leave for over a year, and others deploy at higher rates, but for shorter amounts of time. During and after these times away from home, Foran et al. (2013) notes that it is crucial in making close relationships with fellow military member and to reach out to family to ensure an increase in personal conflict is less likely (p 154). According to Riggs and Sermanian (2012), the strength of the leadership within the unit and how they handle the various traumatic circumstances the service members encounter, may significantly contribute to the degree of the individuals PTSD severity over time (p 18). But when it comes to service members seeking help while deployed, it is very unlikely.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also called PTSD, is when someone witnesses or had a role in a traumatic event that leads to a mental health condition. PTSD, is very common with veterans. Statistics, effects on the brain, and effects on relationships show how much this issue desperately needs attention so help can be given to the soldiers.

You would love to believe since you just served years of fighting that war is over when your boots touch home soil again. In 2009, more U.S. troops were hospitalized for mental health disorders than for battle wounds or other injuries. (Law horn, Pg 22.). You might of heard of PTSD which stands for post traumatic stress disorder, also know as, Shell shock. PTSD is a mental health condition that is triggered by a repugnant unpleasant event that has occurred to you at least once in your life time. Not everyone will leave the war experiencing PTSD but some unfortunately will. However luckily for them there are way to go for treating it. You may need to be aware for preparing life at home after the war zone. Know that you are not alone going into this war or even after war. You can learn what triggers and symptoms of PTSD, Steps to getting help, and how PTSD will affect your life at home. Most people who develop PTSD get better but 1 out of 3 people will not.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that may develop after an exposure to a terrifying event in which physical harm occurred or was threatened. Usually, the anxiety may be brought on by an “exposure to an actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence “(American Psychiatric Association, 2013, pg. 271). Only recently have children and youth been deemed to have experienced PTSD and usually undergo therapy, medication and various treatment options to minimize the impact PTSD has on one’s life. Throughout this paper, I will be discussing the development of the disorder, how PTSD symptoms differ in children, treatment options, and a clinical case example.

War, tragedy, and trauma; life altering situations such as these may cause someone to feel unsafe for the rest of their life. A symptom that may come about from these types of situations is something known as PTSD. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a symptom that may occur after an individual is subjected to a traumatic event in which they were exposed to physical harm or the threat of harm. PTSD may stem from many causes and usually involves situations where an individual does not have full control over what is occurring. Every situation is different and the intensity of the disorder may range from a very mild case to a life-threatening situation. Individuals with PTSD typically possess this condition throughout their lifetime with no known cure that has yet been established.

A service member’s emotional and psychological issues are not like malfunctions of a piece of equipment and must not be treated as a troubleshooting problem in a technical manual. And yet this seems to be the only way the military, as a whole, knows how to address the issue of a service members mental health. It requires a holistic approach that is not currently embraced by the military. Historically, the military has been ill-equipped to handle the shifting nature of the psychological issues created by introducing a service member to the battlefield.