Veterans are forced to be put in waiting lists that on average last at least one year before they can get any help with medical disabilities. During the time between 2000 and 2011 almost a millions veterans were diagnosed with a minimum of one psychosocial disorder nearly half as many had multiple cases. The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs has annually spent millions of dollars on researching cures for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) without finding any new way for treatment to commence. The current method for treating this disorder is merely getting them to interact with other people; loved ones, or fellow soldiers are the most common. Many veterans are coming away from war with mental scars that require just as much attention as
Eugenia L. Weiss, PsyD, LCSW, is an educator and a California licensed clinical social worker and licensed psychologist. She is Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Southern California (USC), School of Social Work and is currently serving as the Director of the Orange County Academic Center and was previously the interim director of the San Diego Academic Center. She maintained a private practice for 18 years working with military personnel and their families. She is the author and co-author of multiple peer-reviewed journal publications and is co-author of a book titled A Civilian Counselor's Primer to Counseling Veterans (2nd ed., Linus Books, 2011) and co-editor of several books; Handbook of Military Social Work (Wiley & Sons,
In this scholarly article researcher Tai Hawk evaluates PTSD as a whole analyzing the causes, effects, and possible outcomes of the self-described “epidemic”. Hawk analysis over 40 different forms of literature to bring forth his own conclusions and feasible theories. Hawk begins by giving a brief overview of why the cases of PTSD are increasing now then in earlier more violent wars, the answer is with advancing technology, and better healthcare soldiers outlive the trauma that they would have killed them 20 years earlier. Hawk later does an in depth review of the three forms of PTSD and their distinguishing features. The final criteria Hawk addressed was rehabilitation of veterans with PTSD and the difficulties that they must overcome, including
On Tuesday October 27, Dr. Brittany Hall gave a talk on PTSD affecting military veteran and active duty soldiers. During active duty soldiers are exposed to a lot of unforeseen events. Veterans and active duty soldiers are serving to protect the country from allies, and place there lives on the line everyday for citizens to continue to have freedom. The aftermath of returning from combat is the devastating blow for a lot of soldiers. Soldiers returning home from combat are not being able to separate civilian world from warzone usually struggle form PTSD.
For many years the only injury soldiers were believed to have could be seen with the naked eye; however, the real injuries are within the soldier’s mind. Most soldiers and victims of war suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), their own minds become danger zones as they recall horrific experiences when they dream, think, or merely close their eyes. The emotional pain stays with the victim years after the war is over. The physical pain that a soldier or victim endures can be healed with time and care, the emotional trauma they deal with stays with them for a lifetime. The psychological pain that the victims endure usually goes unnoticed until after the traumatic event.
Millions of people in the USA alone suffer from PTSD. From car accidents, domestic violence,assault, war, and seeing a loved one or best friend die; PTSD has a wide variety of victims. Based on various research concerning Vietnam war veterans and the novel “The Things They Carried”by Tim O’Brien, war has physical, psychological, and emotional effects on Vietnam War veterans. The physical trauma soldiers endured ruined their lives and any chance of a normal life at home, if they were still alive.
(Alexander, 15). No matter their fate of fighting in war, a soldier will be permanently changed by it. However if they are able to reach for help from others, then they could get their life back on track. Veterans need the support of others in order to cope with their mental
These issues are likely to have repercussions for wives and children. As a result, when compared to a control group, spouses of veterans reported significantly higher physical symptoms, anxiety, sadness, and social dysfunction, as well as significantly lower self-esteem and family cohesion.” (Al-Turkait and Ohaeri). Soldiers frequently develop post-traumatic stress symptoms after dealing with severely injured, suicides, injured children, and deceased individuals. Untreated traumatic events can lead to bad and uncaring behavior toward others, including family members.
Over the centuries of war we have found new ways to help veterans deal with this condition or live with this condition. Things that can help veterans with this condition are service dogs, certain prescribed medications, or counseling along with other options. “ A nationwide system of community based centers, known as Vet Centers or readjustment counseling Service Vet Centers, provides counseling for psychological war trauma,” (Veteran Affairs Department 2001 page n.p.). In these centers veterans can seek help from professionals and can get answers to their problems. They can get counseling and meet with groups of other veterans that are going through the same thing.
In recent years, brain damage disease showed a 20% to veterans, aroused a lot of interest as frequently occurs. Most of the soldiers, especially the veterans went to the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Moreover, this is seen as depression, traumatic stress syndrome and sleep disorders, most of the symptoms caused substance abuse by primary care specialists will accompany that. According to a survey questionnaire agencies, 29% of veterans’ caregivers reported caring associated with loved ones in patients with severe brain injury syndrome, they promote their psychological and social support and those with any emotional, behavioral or functional changes associated emphasis on adaptation was announced.
According to a study, 95% of Iraq veterans experience some kind of stress caused by war experiences (PTSD VA, 1). This stress can vary immensely. Vets can experience pain if they see any reminders of the war. The slightest reminder can cause severe pain. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the dysregulation of body and brain chemistry.
How much do people think about others? How about the people who helped them? There is no other group of individuals that strives to help others than veterans, but their problems are seldom minded. Every single day, the needs of U.S. veterans are continuously neglected, with no one attempting to support them through their burdens. Veteran suicide has become a dire issue when it comes to their mental health.
Anne C. Black and other people have been in school of medicine. They have written a report that show the type of treatment veterans get for their PTSD. The VA health care has found better ways to help with the mental health of veterans( Black et al. 1).
Another issue that veterans struggle with when they come back from war is mental illnesses like PTSD. According to “bringing the war back home”, “Of 103 788 OEF/OIF veterans seen at VA health care facilities, 25 658 (25%) received mental health diagnosis(es)”. This disabilities can make getting into the workforce much more difficult and even leave veterans to live on the streets from lack of employment. The solution discovered from this research is that if these mental diseases are caught early enough, the veterans will receive the help they need and be able to continue their normal civilian lives. “Targeted early detection and intervention beginning in primary care settings are needed to prevent chronic mental illness and
A constant watch over mental health issues of all military servicemen and women has gone under the radar in the past few years due to a lack of knowing how unrecognizable the problem just might be. The magnitude of this problem is enormous. A recent report finds that the estimates of PTSD range from 4 to 45 percent for those soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan (Cesur, Sabia & Tekin, 2012). Research suggested that other serious medical issues are likely to accompany the PTSD diagnosis, such as cardiovascular disease, and chronic pain (Frayne, et al, 2010). Compiling mental health issues, physical ailments along with family reintegration can prove overwhelming for a returning veteran.
It may come and go over the years too. The significant impact of PTSD on the lives of veterans afflicted gives doctors a greater understanding of this illness. With knowledge about PTSD, returning veterans can seek the early diagnosis and treatment they need, giving them a chance to recover. Many veterans have spoken and stressed that the PTSD will never go away, even with treatment, group therapy, counseling, or medication. Awareness and understanding can also help and support the families.