This study shows that the experiences someone has while deployed can greatly affect their mental health. Those that have had to kill someone at war will never be the same. This can then lead to major mental health issues in the future and if not taken care of suicide is an option for some. Another study wanted to look at veterans who served in Iraq, their mental health problems, and their treatment. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system, 25% of returning veterans from Iraq reported problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Although many reported these issues, very little actually sought out help. The stigma of having something wrong with them and needing help was the number one reason veterans did not get treatment. They feared that they would be labeled as crazy. The veterans also cited fear of having negative consequences at work if others knew that they were in treatment. This studied showed that although many veterans have mental health problems due to their military service, they are not actively seeking out the help they need (Stecker, Fortney, Hamilton, & Ajzen, 2007). In another study looking at Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom veterans, examined the stigma of mental health care and ways that might be helpful to change those stigmas. It found that those who had posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and alcohol use problems were more likely to perceive a stigma of mental health than those who were not. This perceived stigma was also associated with the likelihood of those diagnosed to not utilize mental health services. They were embarrassed, didn’t want to be seem as weak, as well as didn’t know where to get help, and had d... ... middle of paper ... ...in my action plan experience. I will never know what training was like or their deployment. The best thing that I could do instead of pretending like I know would be to ask questions and try to empathize with the person as best as I can. Ultimately, counseling someone from the military is about their transition back to civilian life. Although posttraumatic stress disorder is very prevalent with the military population, they have many other stressors and symptoms. As counselors we need to understand that simple things that we do not even realize may be difficult for returning service members. Proper mental heath services with counselors who understand military culture is very important. I feel that I have learned a great deal from my action plan experience and hopefully with my knowledge I will more comfortable counseling someone from the military culture.
Rates of mental illness are rising among Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. This social problem has had significant consequences, such as spikes in homelessness, unemployment and suicides in this population. Many argue there are too many barriers to mental health treatment in a society that stigmatizes mental illness and undervalues mental health care. Research supports this assertion, particularly within the Veteran population (Greene-Shortridge, Britt, & Castro, 2007). System justification theory offers an explanation for why society stigmatizes mental illness in spite of the devastating consequences of treatment underutilization.
PBS’ Frontline film “The Wounded Platoon” reviews the effects the Iraq war has had on soldiers as they return home and transition back into civilian life, focusing particularly on the rise in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among American military members from Fort Carson Army base (Edge, 2010). Incidents of PTSD have risen dramatically in the military since the beginning of the Iraq war and military mental health policies and treatment procedures have adapted to manage this increase (Edge, 2010). In “The Wounded Platoon,” many military personnel discuss how PTSD, and other mental health struggles, have been inadequately treated (if at all) by military mental health services. Reasons and Perdue’s definition of a social problem allows us to see inadequate treatment of PTSD among returning United States military members as a social problem because it is a condition affecting a significant number of people in undesirable ways that can be remedied through collective action (Reasons & Perdue, 1981).
War has been a consistent piece of mankind 's history. It has significantly influenced the lives of individuals around the globe. The impacts are amazingly adverse. In the novel, “The Wars,” by Timothy Findley, Soldiers must shoulder compelling weight on the warzone. Such weight is both family and the country weight. Many individuals look at soldiers for hop and therefore, adding load to them. Those that cannot rationally beat these difficulties may create Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Tragically, some resort to suicide to get away from their insecurities. Troops, notwithstanding, are not by any means the only ones influenced by wars; relatives likewise encounter mental hardships when their friends and family are sent to war. Timothy Findley
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), originally associated with combat, has always been around in some shape or form but it was not until 1980 that it was named Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and became an accredited diagnosis (Rothschild). The fact is PTSD is one of many names for an old problem; that war has always had a severe psychological impact on people in immediate and lasting ways. PTSD has a history that is as long and significant as the world’s war history - thousands of years. Although, the diagnosis has not been around for that long, different names and symptoms of PTSD always have been. Some physical symptoms include increased blood pressure, excessive heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle tension, nausea, diarrhea, problems with vision, speech, walking disorders, convulsive vomiting, cardiac palpitations, twitching or spasms, weakness and severe muscular cramps. The individual may also suffer from psychological symptoms, such as violent nightmares, flashbacks, melancholy, disturbed sleep or insomnia, loss of appetite, and anxieties when certain things remind them such as the anniversary date of the event (Peterson, 2009).
First responders have different challenges compared to the rest of the population. The challenges are due to the motto’s they swear to uphold and the public they serve. They have their own culture consisting of beliefs, language, traditions and values that are specific to their group. They are more likely to witness traumatic events that are outside the norm. They are sometime expected to kill and even be killed, especially law enforcement and military. The culture is very different then the civilian or mental health culture, for example: collectivism versus individualism. Therefore, when it comes to building a relationship with combat veterans and first responders it is essential to understand the culture. Lastly, there are common diagnosis among first responders making it important to use specific assessments. These assessments are used to identify trauma and stress related disorders such as: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Depression, and Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
Post traumatic stress disorder to most people is a soldier that has just come back from
Seal, Karen H., Daniel Bertenthal, Christian R. Miner, Saunak Sen, and Charles Marmar. "Bringing the War Back Home: Mental Health Disorders Among 103 788 US Veterans Returning From Iraq and Afghanistan Seen at Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities." Archives of Internal Medicine 167.5 (2007): 476-82. Print.
Most soldiers with PTSD experience family issues, depression, and financial problems. This disorder leads to many other causes as well and eventually directs someone’s actions to suicide. I agree with ** who argue, Early intervention could be a key mechanism for reducing PTSD-related personal and public health cost (Wangelin and Tuerk 1). I believe if PTSD is treated early on, from then on, the risk of suicide and the amount of money that it takes to help this disorder will have a surprising
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 wink because every time you close your eyes you are forced to relive memories from the past that you are trying to bury deep. This is what happens to the unfortunate men and women who are struggling with PTSD. Veterans that are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder deserve the help they need.
In these days and times of continuous military and terrorist conflict, military soldiers should be required to participate in pre and post deployment health assessments. That brings me to the question, “Why is pre and post deployment health assessments needed?” The revelant of pre and post deployment health assessments will test our soldiers to see if they have any mental issues. Military life, especially the stress of deployments or mobilizations, can present challenges to service members and their families that are both unique and difficult. Some are manageable, some are not. Many times, we can successfully deal with them on our own. In some instances, matters get worse and one problem can trigger other more serious issues. At such times, it is wise to check things out and see what is really happening. That introduces the purpose of these totally anonymous and voluntary mental health testing self-assessments. The testing questions are designed so you can review your situation with regard to some of the more common mental health issues including, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, alcohol problems and more. The screening will not provide a diagnosis – for that you need to see a professional. But, it will tell you whether or not you have symptoms that are consistent with a condition or concern that would benefit from further evaluation or treatment. It will also give you guidance as to where you might seek assistance. We are affected by this because we could lose our love ones if we don’t know what kind of mental issues they have.
A survey of OEF/OIF Veterans identified major rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, alcohol-related problems, social and family problems, and suicidal behavior. However the most alarming statistic is not about deployment rates or rates of diagnoses, the most alarming fact is that fewer than 10% of those diagnosed with PTSD or depression have received the recommended the mental health treatment upon re-integration into society. The dropout rate at the Veterans Association (VA) PTSD clinics is distressingly high as well when looking into VA records it was found that 68% of OEF/OIF Veterans dropped out of their prescribed counseling and programs prior to completion (Garcia et al., 2014). Because most of these men were deployed mul...
They use medication and alcohol for sleeping because they obsess that enemies are coming, they need more consciousness to fight back.
A catalyst for change within the psychiatric treatment of veterans was the Vietnam War. Soldiers returned from war suffering unmistakable service related psychiatric conditions. (Pols & Oak, 2007) In 1969, veterans were returning from Vietnam War to find themselves suffering from the trauma of war with no resources or treatment to help them manage their mental health. A few key players, including Senator Alan Cranston, fought for the creation of appropriate mental health services, known as readjustment counseling, which would be provided to eligible veterans in “small, community based centers” and was approved after 10 years of battling with Congress to pass it through legislation (Blank,
Trauma is defined as “a very difficult or unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or emotional problems usually for a long time” (Merriam-Webster). Many veterans experience trauma from the traumatic events they see in war or from the multiple terms they served in. An example of a traumatic event is depicted in an article titled “Caring for Veterans”.
Mental health conditions, traumatic brain injury, and suicide risk are significantly higher in recent wartime veterans, especially when compared to veterans of the Vietnam and Gulf War periods. The “healthy soldier effect” used to mean that veterans had lower overall mortality rates compared to the general population. However, suicide risk is not included in this effect any longer. Veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn