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. Nearly 20 percent of 30,000 suicides are attributed to veterans each year (Cesar, Sabia & Tekin, 2012). This number represents a substantial number of military personnel suffering with mental health problems. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (2011) PTSD impairs one’s ability to function in social or family life, which includes instability, marital problems, divorce, family conflict, and difficulty in parenting (p. 3). PTSD causes much impairment and has many contributing factors; for that reason, it is important to discuss the quality of services available to …show more content…
Understanding PTSD symptoms is important, because PTSD makes one experience feelings of anger, aggression, despair, and hopelessness. Also, many have problems with relationships, social isolation, impairments in 4 work and school, homelessness, and suicide (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2011). PTSD affects many elements of one’s life that can lead to devastating impacts without the proper treatment. Therefore exploration into the quality of services available for veterans is beneficial. The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions and attitudes of combat veterans towards the quality of mental health services. (Toscano&Roberts pg.
CMN 553 Unit 3 Journal The consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cuts across the age barrier of several mental illness, as it affects both the young and the old. Likewise, the understanding of the triggers, risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic features, and pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapy options are some of the learning objectives for this unit’s clinical experience. Also, the ability to carefully weigh on some of the differential diagnosis prior to the inference of this disorder is paramount as the psychiatric nurse practitioner (PNP) student critically considers in other not to misdiagnosis the patient (Sadock, Sadock, & Ruiz, 2014).
Phil Klay’s story “Redeployment” shows many instances where mental health was a problem for the soldiers who have come back from serving time. This relates to what's happening in the world today with people all over the world. The main illness that is talked about is Post Traumatic Stress
Mental Health Of Soldiers According to FHEHealth “between 2001 and 2014, the number of veterans committing suicide rose above 20 per day”. Veterans are suffering mentally to the point of suicide because of post-traumatic stress disorder from the trauma they experienced. As O’Brien writes about his stories he explains the effects war has on soldiers. War causes soldiers to become numb to death and the trauma from the war leaves them with PTSD, in The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien demonstrates that war ruins soldiers' mental health.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder seems far more prevalent in Vietnam War veterans than in those of other wars: fifteen out of one hundred Vietnam Veterans have combat-related PTSD as compared to one out of twenty World War II veterans (“How Common is PTSD”). Although it is nearly impossible to pinpoint the root cause for the rise in PTSD in this generation of veterans, there are many factors that could have contributed to this rising issue. Many used to believe that these veterans were simply young, immature boys dragged into the war by the draft and were unable to cope with the pressures of combat: the average age for a soldier in Vietnam was nineteen and in World War II it was twenty-six (Roark 838). However, every war has its nineteen-year-olds
In Soldier from the War Returning, Thomas Childers writes that “a curious silence lingers over what for many was the last great battle of the war.” This final battle was the soldier’s return home. After World War II, veterans came back to the United States and struggled with stigmatized mental illnesses as well as financial and social issues. During the war, many soldiers struggled with mental health issues that persisted after they came home.
PTSD means Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and is a deadly disease emotional and physically. For example, it causes veterans to see flash backs of what they have saw over seas, they can physically hurt themselves and are unable to control the disease. PTSD is known to destroy family 's and break them apart even though the veterans can 't control it. "When trauma reactions are severe and go on for some time without treatment, they can cause major problems in a family"(Carlson).This shows how most family 's get divorced after a veteran has come back from war because of how severe the disease is. No veteran wants to admit that they have a disease, because they want to be seen as a tough individual.
The most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that among men aged 25-34, Gulf-War era II veterans (veterans who served after September 2001; OIF/OEF veterans) had a higher unemployment rate (6.8%) than did nonveterans (5.4%). This is significant because almost half of all Gulf-War era II veterans are between the ages of 25 and 34. Additionally, OIF/OEF Veterans have high rates of TBI and mental health disorders such as PTSD and depression. Of 289,328 OIF/OEF Veterans enrolled in Veterans Health Administration services from 2002 to 2008, 37 percent received mental health diagnoses, including 22 percent with PTSD, 17 percent with depression, and 10 percent with substance use disorders (Twamley et al. 2013) . TBI is the hallmark injury among OIF/OEF Veterans, with approximately 20% experiencing a mild TBI and 7% of returning Veterans experiencing persistent post-concussive symptoms (Hoge et al. 2008).
Most importantly, since 2005, over 70% of homeless veterans have been placed in homes, where they have the necessities, “secure housing, nutritional meals, basic physical health care, substance abuse care and aftercare, mental health counseling, personal development and empowerment… job assessment training and placement assistance” (FAQ about Homeless Veterans). Consequently, with the change of emphasis of health care service from medical specialist to primary care providers, there has been improvement of access to general and specialty services which are available to patients with and without disabling mental illnesses (Rosenheck). Whereas, more information is required to comprehend how mental injuries, such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries, affect certain individuals. Overall, it is important to focus on each veterans ability to care for themselves, rather than specifically on their mental health alone
Just like Cadence, millions of people in the world suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) today. Understanding the severity and
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
Many veterans with heavy combat exposure have seen and experienced excessive and abundant amounts of these scenes, which is obviously infinitely much more than the average civilian will ever see. As a result, it can produce some disturbing outcomes on mental health. “Veterans with heavy combat exposure generally have more psychopathology or psychiatric disorders than others” says Spiro, Avron, et al in their Life-Span Perspective article on military service (93). Hoge, Charles et al also state that “other military conflicts has shown that deployment and exposure to combat result in increased risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, substance abuse, functional impairment in social and employment settings, and the increased use of health care services” (1023). It is important to note that those who have combat exposure have a higher chance of these issues.
Bruce Dohrenwend, and his colleagues have done research on the percentage of people affected by PTSD, “The National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS) of a representative sample of 1200 veterans estimated that 30.9% had developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during their lifetimes and that 15.2% were currently suffering from PTSD”(Dohrenwend et al). Monaco, Perry, and Walowick all experienced these symptoms at one point in Fallen
After the Vietnam War, the American military returned home to find that they were not greeted with the upmost respect that they deserve. Instead, a profuse amount of Vietnam veterans were shunned and neglected. Many of these veterans suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which was not nearly as understood as it was after the Vietnam War. As a result of how the Vietnam veterans were treated and cared for, countless amounts of people have donated their time and money to help prevent another aftermath like the Vietnam War’s.
Veterans and active-duty members are considerably diverse in individual characteristics and life histories. Veterans refer to retired or discharge military population. Some suggest programs implemented are addressing too broad of a population and should be focused on specific veteran populations. Many veterans develop self- stigma, internalizing the negative beliefs society places on this population, and avoid seeking help. "Each of the military services and the Veterans Administration (VA) have developed educational campaigns to reduce the stigma associated with reporting emotional distress, raise awareness of the risk of suicide, and teach military personnel, veterans, and their family’s suicide prevention strategies (Brenner & Barnes, 2012).
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.