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Emotional and psychological effects of war
Emotional and psychological effects of war
Emotional and psychological effects of war
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In “The Last True Story I’ll Ever Tell”, John Crawford shows how war can drastically change soldiers by having psychological effects on them and when soldiers come back from war they can feel like they are alone. Some psychological effects are post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, depression,
After the Vietnam War, thousands of soldiers experienced confusion, survivor's guilt, post traumatic stress disorder, and various amounts of other psychological conditions. A little over a quarter of a million Vietnam soldiers have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (Handwerk). This is a staggering number, and is increasing in today's day and age as well. Soldiers who had or still possess post traumatic stress disorder, would be exposed to: depression, angry outbursts, guilt, nightmares, paranoia, and many other similar symptoms (Hillstrom 182). All of these disorders may contribute one to feel guilty or confused, alongside the trauma of war itself.
PTSD Affecting Soldiers He stood there, frozen, shocked, not knowing what to do when he saw a gun pointed at him. Thankfully, the trigger didn’t work, but he had to witness a scarring event, in which he had shot his enemy in the head. It is not surprising that soldiers returning from a stressful war often suffer from a psychological condition called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. For instance, in the book Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers, the principle character Perry unmistakably demonstrates how war troopers can be damaged and experience the ill effects of PTSD.
The Effects of PTSD on WWII POWs During World War II, thousands of American soldiers were captured and taken into Japanese prisoner of war camps. These POWs were subjected to terrible treatment and horrible conditions. Their environments were so terrible that many World War II POWs have developed post-traumatic stress disorder, a disease which affects their postwar lives in drastic ways. An example of this being Louis Zamperini, a WWII POW who spent nearly 2 years being tortured and abused in POW camps in Japan, his story recorded by Laura Hillenbrand in Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. After the war, Zamperini suffered from PTSD and alcoholism due to his abuse, which nearly destroyed him.
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.
Vet Courts Help Defendants Get Back on Track The United States has several military branches that they train to defend and protect our freedom and soil at all costs. These warriors are broken down mentally and physically to be prepared for the adversity that war brings. Although some would say these militants are some of the best in the world, nothing can prepare a soldier for the toll that war brings the soul. Many soldiers come back home from war with a list of physical, mental, and emotional conditions, some may not even be aware that they might be suffering from a condition, leaving them to go on day to day without proper treatment.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops from a traumatic experience months or even years after the event itself, causing many hard-to-identify symptoms. As our knowledge of PTSD has expanded, we have learned that it can be induced from any traumatizing experience a person might encounter, however many cases of PTSD are discovered in people after returning home from war. Due to the psychological nature of this condition and the absolute lack of physical anomalies associated with it, there has been a shortage of adequate healing procedures in place for PTSD over the years. In spite of this, some veterans have found outlets to cope, for better or worse, with their newfound psychological abnormalities. Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried
Tyler McMillon Health Mr. Dahnert May 23, 2024 PTSD Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that can occur when experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or traumatic event. These events include combat, crime, accidents, or even natural disasters. With a diverse array of symptoms, PTSD can affect your mood, experiences, and also your behavior. It can significantly impact an individual's mental well-being and health. These changes can lead to chronic impairments (a wide range of health and systemic disorders) and increased risks for psychiatric illnesses, such as susceptibility to suicide.
I really enjoyed reading your post – you’ve brought up some really good and crucial points. These soldiers have risked their lives to protect our county, so it is only right and fair for our country to provide them the services and treatment that they deserve if suffering from PTSD. I also agree with you over how we need to let these veterans know that it is absolutely normal to feel distressed about what they had to experience. We should definitely not belittle them or make them feel like they are being overdramatic. PTSD is a serious disorder and should not be taken lightly.
They see things we could never imagine which can alter their reality and way of thinking. PTSD is very real and very common in our soldiers. Another reason war is
“Most of the World War II men that I worked with came to me in their 70’s or 80’s, after retirement, or after the death of a spouse,” said Joan Cook a professor of psychiatry at Yale and a PTSD researcher for Veterans Affairs (Madigan). She also told Madigan that the symptoms or side effects of PTSD increase as they age. Many veterans go through so much that it is unbearable and they can’t get it out of their mind. Just imagine watching your best friend that you have gone through much together, be killed right in front of you. By a landmine, bomb, or gunfire, and then thinking for the rest of your life that should have been you.
30 percent of veterans experience PTSD. Children can experience PTSD as well, with 3.9 percent of the total population.
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.
More than half of all male Vietnam veterans and almost half of all female Vietnam veterans have experienced clinically serious stress reaction symptoms.” PTSD has also been detected among veterans of other wars. ("PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress
This not only makes them suffer but it also hurts others around them. Most soldiers when dealing with PTSD separate themselves from their loved ones and friends because of their “experience of near death and the fear that they will leave someone behind...” (The Emotional Effects of War on Soldiers). This can cause many problems with the family and the soldier’s relationships with others. Though, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t any help provided for soldiers.
