What Is The Stigma Related To Ptsd In Iraq Combat Veterans?

Hundreds of thousands of United States veterans are not able to leave the horrors of war on the battlefield (“Forever at War: Veterans Everyday Battles with PTSD” 1). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the reason why these courageous military service members cannot live a normal life when they are discharged. One out of every five military service members on combat tours—about 300,000 so far—return home with symptoms of PTSD or major depression. According to the Rand Study, almost half of these cases go untreated because of the disgrace that the military and civil society attach to mental disorders (McGirk 1). The general population of the world has to admit that they have had a nightmare before. Imagine not being able to sleep one

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.

There is concern about military service members receiving stigma about getting or needing treatment in the area of mental health. Stigma occurs when individuals view others negatively because they have been labeled or identified as having a deviant behavior against societal norms; deviant behaviors such as mental illnesses or diagnoses uncommon or harmful to others. How does that impact the military? Military men and women alike are termed heroes, warriors, and survivors; this is quite the reputation to keep up. Military members go to war or deploy to hostile combat environments, which many come back with severe mental illnesses and diagnosis that need immediate care. At this point they may not feel like a hero. The terms psychological, mentally ill, PTSD, and behavioral health has gained a reputation as having or being a problem. Being labeled a problem is not what service members want. Many studies are trying to pinpoint the problem and resolve the stereotypes associated with getting treatment. Consequently, an individual’s attitude toward mental health treatment is thought to be affected by other people’s views on mental health care (Held & Owens, 2012).

2. Mental health issues in the USAF are associated with a stigma which affects how Airmen seek treatment and care. This problem is self-stigma, which according to Patrick Corrigan and Deepa Rao, develops when a person believes the discrimination and prejudice applied to them is in fact truth.1 Self-stigma leads to lowered self-esteem and diminished self-efficacy.2 Self-efficacy is a person’s belief of one’s

To the millions of veterans that have served this country by leaving behind their world as they once knew it, thank you. Entering the world of a soldier comes with a culture of warriors who are taught and trained to be ready to kill, but also ready to save, heal, and comfort (Hansen). Sergeant Hansen served in the United States Marine Corps for nine years and was deployed three times, once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. He was honorably discharged in April of 2014, however like many other veterans, his military experience has impacted his new civilian life due to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. It is paramount that a proper system concerning military veterans of the United States is established for the process of re-acclimating soldiers back to a civilian lifestyle. Within the current system and process that is being used, veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are discharged without the support and guidance they need to efficiently return to the civilian world.

P.T.S.D. a commonly known disorder, that has harmed soldiers in combat over the last century. A 2015 study by Ashley Hayes, found that PTSD it is not only affecting returning veterans. Further it is veterans, that are becoming a rising concern to society. Hayes implies, people who have served In the military and or Iraq, are “returning home changed men”. The exposure to trauma leading to these symptoms is no surprise, as much severity has proven ptsd when people come face to face with life altering events.

There has been controversy about whether the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs is taking care of their veterans or are resisting in recognizing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The Union of Concerned Scientist found that the Department of Defense stated that, “The U.S. Army allegedly pressured psychologists not to diagnose Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to free the Army from providing long-term, expensive care for soldiers. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has also been implicated in pressuring staff to misdiagnose veterans with the aim of cutting costs” (UCS). In result of not properly diagnosing the veterans, they are left unsure why treatment

As we learn more about the cause and effect of PTSD we can better equip ourselves to help those in need. It is a process that has a clear beginning but an unclear ending. A person who can function normally for many years after seeing combat may find it increasingly difficult to sit in a classroom day after day. With raising awareness on not only the severity but the scope of impact of mental health disorders it can eliminate the stigma of weakness and get these men and women who have put themselves second much of their lives the help they

The articles published by AMSUS, the society of Federal Health professionals; Group Therapy Among OEF/OIF Veterans: Treatment Barriers and Preferences, and Perceived Stigma and Barriers to Mental Health Care Utilization Among OEF-OIF Veterans, published by the American Psychiatric Association, both explored ambivalence along with the perceived stigma of seeking help, especially amongst those suffering from PTSD.

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.

Mental health services and programs designed to help with deployment and reintegration are underutilized by NG/R families (Gorman et. al, 2011). The stigma of appearing weak is a perceived barrier for NG/R spouses. NG/R spouses are more likely to receive care from physicians and mental health professionals in their local community (Gorman et al., 2011). If the community does not have a large military presence, providers may not have the experience or understanding necessary to address the special challenges faced by NG/R family. NG/R spouses cited cost, taking time off from work and limited access to treatment facilities and military support systems as barriers to their care (Gorman et al., 2011; Kees et al., 2015). Rural communities were islands

Numerous studies have addressed the attitudes and beliefs contributing to stigmatization of mental health issues within military populations (Dickstein, Vogt, Handa, & Litza, 2010). The development of these stigmas is deeply associated in the traditions and culture that exists in the military. Ame and Cunradi (2005) stated that workplace culture in the military could be a risk factor for heavy alcohol use or binge drinking. Additionally, alcohol access is readily available at reduced prices on most military installations. Multiple studies have also cited mental health stigma as one of the most prevalent that exist in a military culture. Seeking treatment for substance abuse among service member is a form of weakness. Rae Olmsted and colleagues compared perceptions of stigma among soldiers in treatment and those who are not. The findings suggest that those in treatment have lower perceptions of stigma associated with their care than those service members

PTSD is an incapacitating emotional roller coaster that affects the lives of many who have experienced a traumatic event. Not only does the concern of PTSD impact survivor’s lives, but it can have an impact on the entire family or those who are close to the individual with the disorder. “PTSD can take a heavy toll on the family if you let it. It can be hard to understand why your loved one won’t open up to you” (Segal, Smith, 2014). The traumatic stress can trigger episodes where the survivor re-experiences the emotional event, causing intimacy issues, trust and social issues with their relationships. How both cultures and communities impacted me that may be perceived as normal vs. abnormal? How has stigma played a role in my mental illness?

Labeling and stigma may be especially strongly marked among military service members with a psychological problem. For example, one study found that, 61 percent of United States service members returning from Iraq, strongly agreed with the idea that disclosing a psychological problem or even just having a history of depression would have a such a negative effect and may harm their career. In addition, 43 percent strongly agreed that admitting a psychological issues would cause other people to have less desire to be around them, and labeling them as deviant. Labeling theory is based on the idea that when people who are labeled and treated as deviant, become deviant. "Deviance refers to the violation of norms or rule breaking in the case of mental symptoms of psychiatry disorder are themselves viewed as normative violations" (Thoits 2010).Thus, military service members are less likely to follow through with a referral for getting help with psychological problems, in contrast to following up on a referral for medical issues. A different study of United States service members deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq found that beliefs related with being mentally ill, fears of being treated, or even viewed differently by people in their platoon or unit posed a barrier to seeking out treatment.

In 2003, more than half reported feeling any stigma, and by 2011, it was about 44 percent. While the trends are going in the right direction for increased care and less stigma, much more progress is needed, Quartana states, the finding that two thirds of soldiers did not seek help when needed supports results of other recent research, he said. The new study did not look at the possible causes behind these trends, so Quartana can not say for sure what is driving the increase in use and decrease in stigma. He speculated that decreased stigma is one factor leading to soldiers' greater use of mental health care. An increase in mental health providers and efforts on the part of the Army also likely contributes, he said. Mental health services for