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Ptsd essay abstract
Introduction to ptsd essay
Ptsd essay abstract
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i feel the one thing that goes unnoticed in my day to day life is the mental disorder PTSD. also known as Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder the Mayo Clinic describes the mental disorder as a condition that has been triggered by a horrific event which is caused by experiencing first hand or witnessing the event. my father has had this condition for quite some time ever since after coming home from serving in kuwait this has taken a toll on myself and other members of my family it has stopped him from seeing me for years at a time which has left him estranged. what most people don't consider when thinking about PTSD is that not only our brave veterans of war can get PTSD but anyone subjected to a particularly traumatic event for example my step
father who at a young age was subjected to things i will never know such as being put in foster homes and attending military school with less than savory characters.
James was a Marine right out of his second tour of Iraq, during which he faced a bloody
With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, symptoms and cases are preventable and able to be countered if addressed properly. If the potential PTSD victims take necessary action to recover from their experience early on, suffering can be aided the best. The Vietnam War, filled with the gruesome combat due to technological advancements, fighting that still resulted in northern Vietnam’s victory and leaving many soldiers with feeling that the war was pointless, and the amount of innocents killed in the process, a heavy impact was left upon the veterans; however, it was America’s generally hostile response to the Vietnam War and lack of sympathy that contributed the most to the high numbers of PTSD victims.
PTSD is a psychological disorder that most commonly affects those who have been through a traumatic experience. Furthermore PTSD can affect anyone, though it’s most commonly associated with soldiers and first responders. In Three Day Road both Xavier and Elijah suffer this and is identified from their actions during and after the war. Finally PTSD comes in a variety of symptoms that can affect anyone who have survived a traumatizing experience.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), originally associated with combat, has always been around in some shape or form but it was not until 1980 that it was named Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and became an accredited diagnosis (Rothschild). The fact is PTSD is one of many names for an old problem; that war has always had a severe psychological impact on people in immediate and lasting ways. PTSD has a history that is as long and significant as the world’s war history - thousands of years. Although, the diagnosis has not been around for that long, different names and symptoms of PTSD always have been. Some physical symptoms include increased blood pressure, excessive heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle tension, nausea, diarrhea, problems with vision, speech, walking disorders, convulsive vomiting, cardiac palpitations, twitching or spasms, weakness and severe muscular cramps. The individual may also suffer from psychological symptoms, such as violent nightmares, flashbacks, melancholy, disturbed sleep or insomnia, loss of appetite, and anxieties when certain things remind them such as the anniversary date of the event (Peterson, 2009).
PTSD is a psychological disorder that most commonly affects those who have been through a traumatic experience. Furthermore, PTSD can affect anyone, though it’s most commonly associated with soldiers and first responders. In Three Day Road, both Xavier and Elijah suffer this and are identifiable from their actions during and after the war. Finally, PTSD comes in a variety of symptoms that can affect anyone who has survived a traumatizing experience.
Every American soldier endured rigorous training to become the soldier they are today, but throughout all this training, there are a few things that a soldier can't simply learn. Training and development is treated as preparation for war situations, and much like ordinary grade school, they are tested to see how well each soldier does in each area (Huerta, 2014). Even after all this organizing and teaching, a soldier's mind is still just as human as it was before seeing action in battle. Once a soldier learns to control every situation imaginable, they are sent overseas to put all their training to use; but simulations can only get you so far. At some point, there is a moment when a soldier will step out of his or her body and truly realize how far from home they are, and that the violence of war is just a way of their new daily life. At this point "a soldier is considered dirty" (Phillips, 2014). Although for a soldier this sounds like a step in the right direction in this particular line of work, it's really a step down a dark path, and part of the soldier will never return. Now American soldiers are haunted by the negative psychological effects resulting in the harsh symptoms of PTSD (Posttraumatic stress disorder) as seen in Jarhead's main character Anthony Swofford.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a devastating anxiety disorder that affects many active military personnel and veterans. In many cases Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) goes untreated often due to the individual not realizing that they are being affected by the disorder, or by the individual having previous failed attempts at treatment. Even though PTSD is now being recognized as a disorder that affects many soldiers, the disorder's effect on family is not as widely recognized. The spouses and children of individuals with PTSD often experience similar negative symptoms of the disorder; this is referred to as secondary traumatization or compassion fatigue. Many families of active military personnel and veterans suffering from PTSD appear to have secondary traumatization, as they experience similar symptoms and feelings of loneliness, which leads to them feeling as though they are also suffering from the disorder.
Military Pathway (2013) concluded “Military life, especially the stress of deployments or mobilizations, can present challenges to service members and their families that are both unique and difficult”. Hence, it is not surprising that soldiers returning from a stressful war environment often suffer from a psychological condition called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This paper provides a historical perspective of PTSD affecting soldiers, and how this illness has often been ignored. In addition, the this paper examines the cause and diagnosis of the illness, the changes of functional strengths and limitations, the overall effects this disease may have on soldiers and their families, with a conclusion of possible preventative measures and treatment options. All of these findings are backed by extensive research through media, web, and journal references.
An estimated 8% of Americans, 24.4 million people, have PTSD at any given time. That is equal to the total population of Texas, according to PTSD United. This mental condition affects people who have gone through a traumatic situation before, and are holding onto the memory. PTSD became widespread and documented around the time of World War I, and has been rising since. There has never been true a cure. Many people do not pay much attention to people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. However, with a few awareness programs, one person could make all the difference in a victim’s life.
Hundreds of thousands of United States veterans are not able to leave the horrors of war on the battlefield (“Forever at War: Veterans Everyday Battles with PTSD” 1). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the reason why these courageous military service members cannot live a normal life when they are discharged. One out of every five military service members on combat tours—about 300,000 so far—return home with symptoms of PTSD or major depression. According to the Rand Study, almost half of these cases go untreated because of the disgrace that the military and civil society attach to mental disorders (McGirk 1). The general population of the world has to admit that they have had a nightmare before. Imagine not being able to sleep one wink because every time you close your eyes you are forced to relive memories from the past that you are trying to bury deep. This is what happens to the unfortunate men and women who are struggling with PTSD. Veterans that are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder deserve the help they need.
There are many different causes of PTSD such as sexual abuse, sudden death of a loved one, and war. Trauma affects people in different ways, some can develop it from watching a fellow soldier being killed, and some can develop it from losing their jobs or a divorce. Being diagnosed with PTSD is a difficult process because there are many other psychological disorders whose symptoms can overlap and are very similar. An important fact to remember is that PTSD doesn’t just affect the person suffering; it can also have secondhand effects on their spouses, children, parents, friends, co-workers, and other loved ones. Although there is no direct cure, there are many treatment and alternative treatment options to assist them in moving forward after a trauma.
Trauma is defined as “a very difficult or unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or emotional problems usually for a long time” (Merriam-Webster). Many veterans experience trauma from the traumatic events they see in war or from the multiple terms they served in. An example of a traumatic event is depicted in an article titled “Caring for Veterans”.
When most people who are aware of PTSD think of the disorder, military soldiers and veterans are the first to come to mind as those who suffer from it. However, as mentioned in the introduction, PTSD is universal. It does not discriminate based on career, gender, location or so forth. A person becomes more susceptible to developing PTSD if he or she has been directly exposed to the trauma as a victim or a witness. Examples of events that can lead to a person developing PTSD are traumatic car accidents, natural disasters, violence – including domestic and warfare, rape, sexual abuse, school shootings, or any other event that causes the person to feel out of control and in danger. Other factors that increase the likelihood of developing PTSD are whether or not the person was seriously injured, the length of the event, if the person believed a loved one or self were in imminent danger and were helpless in avoiding or protecting themselves or others from the trauma. Yet there are even more contributor...
A major part of PTSD is the guilt that they have to put up with from killing people. This leads to not wanting to discuss their past with some people and therefore they are unable to form lasting relationships because of a lack of trust. An example of this is in the well-known autobiography A Long Way Gone where Ishmael Beah recounts of a time when he is living with his uncle and his cousin Allie takes him to a dance where Ishmael meets a girl. A few days later he sees her again and they start going out. After a few weeks she starts asking questions that Ishmael does not want to answer and so they break up. Another part of PTSD that some people have to suffer is the memories. Even years after the war, they will still be having memories of what happened during the war. When Ishmael Beah was in rehabilitation he saw things related to war that were not actually there. An example of this is when Ishmael is in rehabilitation, when he turns on a tap and all he sees is blood coming out. Others in rehabilitation also saw things from the war that were not actually there such as heads that were actually rocks. Another part of the war that comes under PTSD is the loss of loved ones. An example of someone who has lost a loved one is Ishmael’s aunty who lost her husband during the war. To help her rebuild her family she will need some financial support so
Our soldiers not only risked life and limb for our country while serving in the Vietnam War, but they continue to suffer immensely. Americans as well as Vietnamese troops and civilians suffered great losses when it comes to casualties. Witnessing first-hand the pain and death of strangers and allies, isn’t something one is likely to forget. Post-Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been one of the many repercussions of witnessing these gruesome events (Mental Health America). Veterans, their families, and the government have come together in combat in attempts to address the detrimental effects of PTSD.