PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is finally getting the attention it long deserved. The purpose of this issue of Dedicated To Heroes is to offer more information on PTSD and the available resources. So let's take a moment to start from the beginning.
What is PTSD?
In general, PTSD can be described as a severe anxiety disorder that can occur or can develop after exposure to a terrifying or life-threatening event in which grave physical harm occurred, or was threatened. These events or ordeals include, but are not limited to, military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents and physical or sexual assault in childhood or adulthood. Specific to military experiences, PTSD was historically also described as battle fatigue, shell shock and traumatic war neurosis.
What is the Incidence and Prevalence Among Military Personnel and Veterans?
- Approximately 31% of Vietnam Veterans experience PTSD.
- Among Gulf War Veterans the prevalence was 12.1%.
- Approximately 13.8-20% of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans experience PTSD.
What are the Symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD symptoms can be terrifying. It can disrupt your life and make it difficult to continue normal daily activities and routines. Symptoms can start immediately after an event or manifest itself weeks, months or years later. Moreover, symptoms may also appear and reappear. It is generally accepted a person has PTSD if the symptoms last longer than four weeks, cause great distress and interfere with work and/or home life.
Major Symptoms Include:
- Guilt
- Insomnia
- Anger
- Flashbacks
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Nightmares
- Hallucinations
- Hopelessness
- Reliving the Stressful Event
- Hyperarousal
- Problem Focusing
- Poor Memory
- Shame
- Despair
- Startle Response
What are the Current Treatments of PTSD?
Current treatments for PTSD Supported By Clinical Research and Data Include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (considered very successful)
- Medications can also be very effective (there is no specific medication for PTSD. Generally, psychotropic drugs have been successful in reducing symptoms)
- Counseling and Psychotherapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
Where To Get Help?
The following resources are available for those seeking help:
- All VA centers provide PTSD care
- Vet Center near where you live (call 877.927.8387 for locations of vet centers near where you live).
- Military One Source (call 1.800.342.9647 for confidential assistance)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (call 1.800.273.8255)
- The PTSD Diary http://ptsddiary.com/
- PTSD Coach App Available on ITune and the Android Market at https://market.android.com/
- Community Mental Health Centers
- Social Service Agencies
- Private Clinics and Facilities
- Employee Assistance Programs
How Can You Help Someone with PTSD?
PTSD affects families and friends as well as the individual experiencing the stress disorder. So how can you help? You can do the following:
- Offer emotional support, understanding, patience and encouragement.
- Learn about PTSD yourself so you can understand what the person is experiencing.
- Talk to the person and listen carefully.
- Invite your friend to take part in positive experiences that will help distract them from their stressful feelings.
- Remind the person that with help and treatment---he/she will get better.
End Note:
Military personnel and veterans are not the only groups that experience PTSD. Police officers, firefighters, First Responders and medical personnel can also suffer from post traumatic stress.
Fortunately, we've been making greater strides in the detection and treatment of PTSD. Research is on-going. We're making improvements in recognizing pre-trauma, trauma and post-trauma risk factors. Screening and treatments are improving. Mental health professionals and doctors are becoming more educated in both screening and treatment. Just as important, we're all becoming more knowledgeable of this specific stress disorder.
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My nephew has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and was discharged about 10 years ago. I have lived with he and his wife for 10 months now and am seeing the signs of PTSD. Loss of ambition, more and more anti-social, extremely verbally abusive around those who do not take his side or when he does not getting his way. Very demanding and persistent. Has little regard for the feelings of others, how he effects them. very self-absorbed. Shot his wife's dog after the dog bit him trying to protect himself from continued abuse. On valentines day, then never felt or showed signs of remorse, and never apologized. Walks around as much as passible smoking pot. He has mentioned several times taking his life. I have stood by him all his 35 years, but I and his wife don't know what to do. If anything is brought up he becomes very agitated even to the point of violence. We're at a loss as what to do. He isn't even close to addressing his issues. Help His Uncle, Jason
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