PTSD In Veterans

1025 Words3 Pages

Since the September 11, 2001, 2.7 million soldiers have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Over 970,000 of these veterans currently suffer from the aftermath of this conflict. Soldiers who have faced combat have higher rates of suicides, mild to severe forms of psychosis, addiction to drugs and alcohol, automobile accidents, and deprivation of suitably safe and secure living places (Watson Institute International & Public Affairs Brown University, 2017). Although combat veterans have tried to overcome the effects of PTSD through various treatment programs, they still face extraordinary challenges, relational issues, and aggressiveness. Extraordinary Challenges Will this problem go unresolved? …show more content…

This combination of anger and aggressiveness is a psychological component of a condition known as hyperarousal. Dorland's Medical Dictionary defines hyperarousal as a “state of increased psychological and physiological tension marked by such effects as reduced pain tolerance, anxiety, exaggeration of startle responses, insomnia, fatigue and accentuation of personality traits” (2013). Conducted by the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs (VA) office, a study revealed that certain components of PTSD were directly linked to anger and aggressiveness …show more content…

Some would say barriers to modern PTSD programs and treatment is in the poor availability of mental health service in contrast to the social stigma of PTSD being categorized as of a psychological impairment, which in turn renders both treatment and programs ineffective. According to Paula P. Schnurr, PhD, Executive Director of the VA National Center for PTSD extensive exertions to disrupted the dark cloud of PTSD treatment concerning Armed Forces Soldiers (2016). Seen as a debilitating mental health disorder PTSD victimized veterans have chosen to deal with the effects of this condition personally, rather than seeking professional help and being considered psychologically unstable. This view suggest that the ineffectiveness lies with veterans, however, there is another view stating the inefficiency of this persisting problem is due to poor availability of mental health services. Commonly known in the military PTSD community attempts have been made to enhanced avenues of suitable psychiatric support, while soldiers are being bombarded with obstacles to medical help for the condition. According to a Veteran Affairs (VA) assessment the greatest hindrance to treatment for veterans is an inadequacy of time slots for healthcare practitioners. Due to the imbalance of healthcare practitioners to the ever-growing veteran populous medical support can be prolonged of over 30 days

Open Document