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).
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
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.
Serving in the military can be a very traumatic experience. War entails a lot of conflict, shootings, and bombings. About twelve percent of all veterans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Also, twenty-three percent of women reported sexual assault while serving in the military, and fifty-five percent reported having experienced sexual harassment when in the military. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is not the only mental illness that these conditions have caused.
Supporters argue that there are ample programs to support our military, while opponents disagree. Mental health disorders are a byproduct of war, they both agree to this. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress, anxiety, and depression are all mental health disorders soldiers can suffer from. Tens of thousands of soldiers are diagnosed with one of these conditions, but many never come forward or seek help. Many soldiers are afraid of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with a mental illness; they do not want to be perceived as being weak physical or mentally.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in The Things They Carried During the turbulent times of the Vietnam War, thousands of young men entered the warzone and came face-to-face with unimaginable scenes of death, destruction, and turmoil. While some perished in the dense Asian jungles, others returned to American soil and were forced to confront their lingering combat trauma. Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried provides distinct instances of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and reveals the psychological trauma felt by soldiers in the Vietnam War. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD for short, is the most common mental illness affecting soldiers both on and off the battlefield.
income set by the Veterans Affairs. Veterans who are no longer serving and meet other additional qualifications will be placed within priority group six, seven, or eight (Military.com, 2015). Veterans can also receive medical care if they were mentally affected or damaged as a result of their service. Enrolled veterans receive a Medical Benefits Package from the Veterans Affairs. The package provides numerous types of health/medical care for veterans.
suicide rates are double, maybe even triple Civil War rates. There were more documented military suicides in 2010 alone than the entire four years of the Civil War, as 295 service members committed suicide in 2010 versus the 278 documented suicides in Union soldiers during the entire Civil War with force sizes being relatively equal during both wars. Researchers have tried to identify exactly why there has been a dramatic increase in PTSD in modern times versus the past, but a variety of factors complicate the issue with any number of stressors capable of being the culprit, from military training, to overseas deployment, to the transition back to civilian life, to combat itself. These numbers reflect a dangerous crisis as it demonstrates a need for care and services for not only the new generation of veterans, but an increased need for care on top of the necessary aid provided to Vietnam War Veterans who continue to suffer from PTSD as well, even today. These statistics thus reflect a problem for not only the military service members of today, but the service members of tomorrow as well, as whatever factors increase the risk of PTSD today will most likely increase the rate of veterans suffering from PTSD in years to come unless the reasons for this increase can be pinpointed and specifically
Physical and mental injuries affect a veteran's chance of getting a job drastically. These veterans have serious injuries that they suffered from defending and fighting for our country. Now when they return, they find that their injuries are causing them to be put at a disadvantage in the job market. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans says that “47,725 veterans are homeless on any given night”. That is around 9% of all homeless people and more than half of that 9% is between 18 and 30(Faq About Homeless Veterans).
In the United States, serving in the military is seen as a model of true patriotism, and rightfully so. Service members train for 10 weeks in their transition from civilian to a soldier. They train to be able to endure all the hardships that may come their way. Service members have to be in the best physical shape to serve and because of all that they do, they are thought of as brave and selfless people. Service members make extreme sacrifices to defend our country and act selflessly by doing so; it is fitting that they are seen as heroes by many Americans.
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.
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).
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.
My Ideal Self Who/what do you want to achieve/have, why? In the shorter term (3 years), I want to graduate from HELP University’s Degree of Psychology in first-class honours. I understand claims stating such academic achievement is merely a graduation certificate, without guarantee of work opportunities. However, my aim is not motivated towards work opportunities or anything materialistic; I just want to appreciate and value every learning opportunity.
