Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in War Veterans

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.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder also known as PTSD is an emotional condition that can develop following a traumatic or terrifying event. PTSD has only been recognized as a diagnosis since 1980. This emotional disorder was brought to public attention after soldiers would return home and often referred to as “shell shock or combat fatigue”.

There have been many diagnoses of PTSD in American soldiers. As Mark Thomas said in a magazine article, “The National Academy of Sciences have report estimated that up to 20% of 2.6 million US men and women who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq may have it (PTSD)”(Thomas). This quote expresses that nearly 520,000 US families have been affected by this disorder. It also shows that PTSD has become a large enough issue that more and more people and

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.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is a mental health condition that is generally classified as an anxiety disorder. It is often caused by a traumatic events or emotional trauma in one’s life that leads to terrifying flashbacks, nightmares and extreme anxiety. The main cause of this disorder is the conscious and subconscious fear-memories that have developed. In essence the ‘fight or flight” response that we all have is severely damaged, even when not in a stressful or dangerous situation those suffering from PTSD may feel stressed and in danger.

PTSD is defined as an "anxiety disorder that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. A traumatic event is something horrible and scary that you see or happens to you” (United States). In these types of events one can feel that they are not in control of what is going on around them and may feel helpless or in great danger. The Department of Veterans Affairs has listed various life threatening events that can evolve into PTSD. These events include but are not limited to "Combat or Military exposure, child sexual or physical abuse, terrorist attacks, sexual or physical assault, serious accidents, such as a car wreck, natural disasters, such as a fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, or earthquake” (United States).

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).

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

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition caused by experiencing or seeing a terrifying event. It has been known to affect mostly war veterans but has also affected people who are not veterans. Rape victims and people who have suffered severe abuse have also been diagnosed with PTSD. In most cases, veterans have a higher percentage than others.

In today’s society many American decide to go into the military force to protect ones country and put their life in risk and not knowing if they will see their loved ones again or if they will die while being in service. Sometimes without knowing, they will come into contact with traumatic experiences that can leave them a scare that is not able to heal and are unable to function. If these veterans are able to come back home safe and get reunited with their family. They seemed to be like a different person, that their loved ones wonder why or what happened at them at the time of service. Some Veterans today have post-traumatic stress syndrome disorder also known as PTSD which is a mental condition that is triggered by a traumatic event.

“When I was in serious danger I was almost completely paralysed by fear, I remember sitting with a coffin (a fellow soldier) on the fire-step of a trench during an intense bombardment, when it seemed certain that we must be killed”(The Psychological Effects Of The Vietnam War). Our soldiers that we send to war to protect us against the countries trying to harm us are put into dangerous situations that affect them physically and mentally and leave them with permanent damage to their minds and bodies. The server damage that our military soldiers faced when returning from war is PTSD which stands for post traumatic stress disorder and is the most common disorder that returning soldiers are diagnosed with , but a more tragic diagnosis from war

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can occur after a traumatic event, such as a threat to life, serious injury, or sexual violence. Some people who experience these types of events may develop PTSD. Sometimes, PTSD can occur in people who hear about trauma that occurs to a close family member or friend. PTSD can happen to anyone at any age.

Many of the war veterans who came home from the Vietnam War came home with PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event- either through experiencing it or witnessing it. Although it happens most to those who serve in the military, it can happen to anyone who goes either goes through or witnesses a traumatic event at any point in their life. There are many signs and symptoms that can let others know if someone has PTSD so they can be treated in the appropriate manner. There are many causes of this mental health condition and as a result of advancements in our medical system; there are different types of treatments for this condition, depending on the cause of your PTSD. I have heard many stories from those who have this condition and that probed me to choose this topic in order to learn more about this mental condition that plagues those who have it and hopefully I can learn different ways in which I can help those who have this mental condition.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is the mental health condition usually triggered by and by a terrifying event. Signs of PTSD that usually occur recurring or flashbacks of the events, serve anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts. According to American Psychiatric Association (2000), “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves characteristic symptoms such as re-experiencing, avoidance and emotional numbing, and increased arousal following a traumatic stressor”. PTSD was first brought to mainstream because of war veterans, but it PTSD can form from any traumatic or stressful event, such as, torture, mugging, child abuse, car accidents, bombings, and natural disasters. “Combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent

The emotional effect of war on soldiers was not explored greatly until the 20th century where soldiers were studied psychologically. It was only at this point that it was understood how significant war can be on an individual. Conflict has a large psychological impact on those who have fought in war and PTSD is commonly associated with these people. Troops are at an extensively higher risk of suicide or thoughts of suicide, depression and PTSD. This common disorder causes the sufferer to experience/recall specific traumatic events of war and will react strongly to any reminder/aspect of life that reminds them of this distress previously experienced. As a result, victims’ lives are very isolated and vulnerable as they are tentative to go to social events