The Effects Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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.

Since the Post 9/11 Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have ended, there has been a plethora of veterans, returning back home to the United States. Out of the thousands of veterans who were exposed to combat during their deployment, many of these soldiers experienced Acute Stress Disorder, which later turned into (PTSD) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, after one month of their condition not being treated (Yehuda & Wong, 2000). What makes matters worse is that many of these veterans, who endured PTSD, fail to receive treatment for their disorder, which later led to other detrimental issues, including other psychological disorders, child abuse, divorce, substance abuse, suicide and job loss. In fact a study

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

Imagine returning home unscathed from battle to your physical body. Staff Sargent shakes your hand will depart the ship and the reality of being a citizen never truly becomes a real reality. Losing fellow friends, seeing heinous and often gruesome separation of body and limps and doctors check off as “A ok”. The true effects of PTSD are not limited to soldiers and the effects of PTSD are so vast that medical professionals often have troubles diagnosing all cases. Not to mention many victims of PTSD are unaware of what is causing all their anxiety attacks or depression so mix that all in with a government that doesn’t properly fund its veterans returning from battle with medical therapy and we are left with one giant mess of ticking time bombs that are struggling to ever truly feel at peace. It is the goal of this research to bring to light some of the critical issues of PTSD as well as current systems in place for treatment.

Since the beginning of the new world, Americans have fought for their beliefs and inalienable rights. Courageous individuals, thrown into battle each year, fight for ideas they may or may not believe in. The battles turn out to challenge nothing compared to the violent wars spawning in their minds. Many believe that the mental health care of the American soldier undergo neglection. Mentally-ill and unprepared soldiers serve on the battlefront in order to meet the high demand of attrition. Soldiers’ go home unable to cope, and situate back into their families. Troops, often discharged because of distracting behavior resemble the truth of the military system. This “behavior” turns out to be nothing less than severe cases of PTSD. Now with their

A study by Possemato, K., Pratt, A., Barrie, K., & Ouimette, P (2015) that showed how PTSD affects returning veterans and the individuals in contact with them by using a method of a longitudinal study examining daily fluctuations in PTSD and alcohol use among OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom)/OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) combat veterans recruited from VA primary care Inclusion criteria consisted of combat during an OEF/OIF deployment, hazardous alcohol use and symptoms of combat-related PTSD, defined as functional impairment associated with at least one Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM–IV) reexperiencing symptom, plus three avoidance or two arousal symptoms measured by a clinical interview The sample (N 137) comprised both men (88%, n 120) and women (12%, n 17), with a mean age of 30 (SD 7.2). Most self-identified as White (81.8%, n 112) and reported having at least some college education (70%, n 96). About half of the participants were employed (53%, n 73), and the estimated average annual income was $41,642 (SD 26,507). More than half of participants indicated they were married or living with a significant other (59%, n 81). Half (n 69) of participants reported having at least one child.

From September 2001 to January 2015, 2.7 million American troops were deployed overseas to fight in America’s wars (Hautzinger et al, 2015). These men and women of many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds have been exposed to a plethora of war traumas that can lead to mental health problems. Most people will recover with time; However, others can go on to develop chronic PTSD, which can have long lasting mental impacts on our soldiers. According to a general health questionnaire, an estimated 21-29% of those soldiers experience PTSD (Sloat, 2014), this is significant because only 7% of the general population gets PTSD sometime in their life (Nebraska, 2007). This is significant because the discrepancy

In a study done 14 months after a natural disaster, depression was found to be prevalent among first responders who also were local residents of where the disaster took place. The participants were from three different groups. The first was 610 local municipality workers, the second was 421 medical workers, and the third was 327 firefighters. All were given a self-administered questionnaire. The results indicate that higher levels of depression are more significant in medical personnel versus firefighters (Sakuma, 2015)

According to Dr. Baranosky, post-traumatic stress disorder can be considered as “brain injury” related to mental problems, such as emotional disorders and fanciful psychological behaviors. The root of PTSD is usually the experience of extremely shocking events which cause severe concussion in human 's brain and consciousness. The patients could be the witnesses of dire deaths of their teammates during the wars or a natural disaster, for example an earthquake, a tsunami, a volcanic eruption, in which they feel that their life is in danger and they are desperate to do anything. In addition, physical injuries or diagnosis of serious illness can also bring about post-traumatic stress disorders. Those victims, who suffer from PTSD, usually experience uncomfortable memories, distressing feelings, nightmares, loss of concentration and guilty feelings, (2012, pp.11).

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is unquestionably a debilitating disorder as stated in the earlier part of the paper emphasizing that PTSD diagnosed individuals are at higher risk for violent behaviour, undoubtedly affecting relationships and society as a whole. Additionally important to PTSD and violence is the increased likelihood for suicidal behaviour (Dell’Osso et al., 2009; Marshall, 2001; Oquendo et al., 2005; Poindexter, 2015; Tarrier & Picken, 2011). Suicidal behaviour can be defined as the formation of suicidal ideas, leading to planning the act, which may or may not lead to killing one’s self (Tarrier & Picken, 2011). Although suicide is no longer a criminal offence in Canada (Department of Justice, 2013), this study

“A growing body of research has explored the relationship between traumatic events and subsequent cognitions. For instance, survivors sometimes exhibit self-blaming thoughts and guilt about actions that they did or did not engage in during a traumatic incident” (Resick, Rabalais, Sobel, 2009). The impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has left me at times on an emotional rollercoaster ride of distress. PTSD has caused me to have irrational thoughts and guilt of life itself. In the early stages of my diagnosis of PTSD, I felt ashamed of what happened to me. I pushed people away especially, the ones that I loved and who loved me. I found myself becoming secluded from the world around me and the people in my life. PTSD can bring on many transitions of disorders if left untreated. According to Dr. Mathew Tull, a PTSD specialist has stated that “PTSD and social anxiety disorder (SAD) commonly co-occur” (Tull, 2016). I emotionally withdrew and became extremely anxious to be around people for the fear they would not understand me or judge me. I would also fear to have a panic attack in a situation I could not control my emotions. “You may also experience fear of appearing anxious or acting in a way that will bring about embarrassment or humiliation. Moreover, your upcoming contact with a feared situation almost always causes anxiety, maybe even in the form of a panic attack “(Tull, 2016).

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a problem that is bad enough on its own. It is a common diagnosis for soldiers who have been in combat and there have certainly been plenty of cases among soldiers who returned from Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade. It is not limited to soldiers, however. Anyone can undergo a highly traumatic situation such as being the victim of a crime or a terrible accident. It can have a negative effect on one's family and even a person's health, which is one fact raised by a recent report about women with PTSD and it raising the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke.

It is also known that “emotional baggage” can be carried far-past the career of first response personnel, some may fall victim quickly where others may show latent signs of suicidal tendencies or worse yet, become a public danger later in life. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), diagnosed in first response personnel, is growing out of control (Reagan, 2015). The sad cost of losing even one person during or post-disaster is life altering, regardless if it is a disaster victim or a first responder, and it reflects poorly on supervisors and those ultimately in charge. First response personnel should save lives, not lose them or fall victim to the disaster itself.

This report endeavours to provide a Developmental Psychopathological Approach of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Developmental Psychopathology is broadly conceptualised as depicting the dynamic processes underlying ‘typical’ child development (Campbell, Cummings & Patrick,2003). An awareness of ‘typical’ and ‘atypical’ developmental characteristics at varied ages and developmental stages is crucial for parents and health professionals. Through the use of developmental psychopathology, clinicians and parents are able to gain an insight into children’s behaviour, as well as acknowledge assessments, therapeutic planning and treatments

Veterans suffering from combat related Post Traumatic Stress face a multitude of struggles and setbacks while dealing with the distresses that come from the trauma. Far too often soldiers are labeled as broken, disabled, or insane while coping with something they may not have control over, yet is very much treatable with proper care. After well over a decade of conflicts in multiple countries simultaneously, many soldiers live with ailments that most outside the profession may not realize have such lasting impacts on daily life. Even though there are many resources to help with treatment, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder effects soldiers from past and present wars, with lasting