PTSD

PTSD



PTSD

1. What current services are there for soldiers suffering from PTSD?

The recent surge in reported cases of PTSD has tested military leaders' traditional handling of tragedy. PTSD is viewed as a mental health disorder, and ; therefore, there has been a stigma attached to soldiers struggling to cope. Leaders, in particular, are hesitant to seek help due to the shame attached to PTSD. Major Joe Geraci (2009), a former infantry company commander and now a psychology instructor at West Point, has assessed his own challenges with the realities of combat stress and encourages military leaders to increase their awareness and understanding of the real impact this subject is having on individuals. Geraci is a proponent for a shift in the perspective of combat and post combat stress from that of a disorder to one of potential positive growth. His thoughts echo the positive psychology research of Matthews (2008) that shows taking a strength-based approach to counseling and training may help in creating deployment training procedures designed to increase soldier tolerance of combat-related stress, assisting in reintegration after combat deployments, evaluating the effectiveness of PTSD treatment and intervention, and exploring the post-traumatic growth that may follow combat experiences. The main services for soldiers are Specialized Intensive PTSD Programs (SIPPs), Specialized Outpatient PTSD Programs (SOPPs) and Special Local PTSD Programs. SOPPs include clinical teams providing group and individual counseling, substance use teams.

2. How these services are typically delivered?

According to Geraci, self-awareness is the first step to helping soldiers learn to deal with the emotional impact of combat in a positive and constructive manner. The nature of the current conflict where many combat situations are occurring with smaller-sized units makes it difficult for the officer to be present at the time of contact. In addition, rapid turnover of personnel makes it difficult for leaders to build entirely cohesive units. Both of these factors, identified by Bass and Riggio (2006) as essential to reducing the stress among military members, makes the job of the military leader in treating PTSD that much more complex and challenging. The role of empathy, as a leader's asset, again becomes critical in caring for the most important resource of any military, or other organization for that matter: the people.

3. What biblical based ministries specialize in PTSD?

Biblically based ministries specialize in different types of therapies for PTSD to obtain satisfaction of their needs or for happiness, self esteem and accomplishment.

4. How is PTSD different in nonmilitary situations?

PSTD is different in a way like for an individual to meet criteria for PTSD, according to DSM-IV criteria; he or she must experience at least one re-experiencing symptom, three or more avoidance or numbing symptoms, and two or more hyper arousal symptoms. Re-experiencing symptoms include recurrent, unwanted thoughts, dreams, or memories of the trauma. Re-experiencing symptoms in children with PTSD may include engaging in play that involves traumatic themes or having frightening dreams without specific traumatic content. In adolescents, re-experiencing symptoms may include re-enacting the trauma in their behaviors ...