Post Trauma Of War Veterans

The men and women who put their lives at stake for our country, so that citizens may feel safe and secure in the United States, struggle with their own personal battles that impact their lives significantly. According to a recent 2015 poll, nearly 52,336 soldiers were physically wounded, about 320,000 soldiers were suffering from traumatic brain injury, and almost 400,000 soldiers were troubled with post traumatic stress disorder. Physical wounds are a reality of war, and they come in many forms, but these statistics show that brain and emotional injuries are ultimately affecting more war veterans. Given the highly stressful context in which war injuries occur, traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder are commonly diagnosed

When soldiers are attacked by gun fire or bombs, they may lose parts of their body or a limb. “Combined, over 48,000 servicemen and women have been physically injured in the recent military conflicts” (Wounded Warrior Project). With advanced technology, we have more weapons, resulting in more damaging injuries. Ocular wounds may also be a reality of active war duty. Pieces of shrapnel may fly into the eyes of a soldier and cause visual problems. Lasers or intense heat are another cause of damage to their eyes. In many cases, soldiers who have been in active duty will return to the U.S. and require some form of physical therapy. One may have to learn how to use an artificial limb in order to complete a regular day to day activity. “Dignity is as essential to human life as water, food, and oxygen” (Hillenbrand 183). This quote is from the book Unbroken, it shows how these are all essentials in life. Someone with an artificial limb may not feel like they have much dignity, but in reality , they are some of the most honored

Post traumatic stress disorder is triggered after a traumatic event someone has gone through, and creates a high anxiety disorder. Symptoms may include nightmares, reliving the experience, and feeling distant from friends and family. “It is estimated as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder” (Wounded Warrior Project). PTSD can last for weeks or months, and if treated properly, symptoms can be resolved. If PTSD is not treated, it can lead to alcohol and drug abuse, outbursts of anger, and sleeping problems. Work, friends, and family can even began to become interfered from post traumatic stress disorder. Louis Zamperini was suffering from PTSD and had reoccurring nightmares of days he was a prisoner of war. “As a result of my prisoner of war experience under your unwarranted and unreasonable punishment, my post-war life became a nightmare” (Hillenbrand 396). Louis said this when he was speaking about how his life was after the war. Louis most likely would had suffered post traumatic stress disorder longer if it were not for his confrontation with God, helping him forgive those who had hurt