PTSD

Treatments of Combat Veterans with PTSD

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION1

ARTICLE CRITIQUES2

Theories2

Purpose of Study & Hypothesis4

Method, Data Analysis and Results5

Findings9

Limitations9

Ethical Issues of the Studies10

SUMMARY11

REFERENCES12

Treatments of Combat Veterans with PTSD

Introduction

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is classified as an emotional illness resulting from life-threatening or severely unsafe traumatic event. It involves personal experience witnessing deadly event, assaults, natural disasters, sexual abuse, extreme violence, terrorist attacks or military combat. PTSD victims tend to avoid places, events, people or circumstances that remind them of traumatic events responsible for the disorder, and they are extremely sensitive to normal life events (Edwards, 2010). These individuals are extremely introvert and do not involve themselves in social gatherings while consistently suppressing their thoughts. People with PTSD relive the traumatic event in the form of night mares, flash back and disturbing mental images about the trauma leading to intense fear, twinge and anxiety. Responses to PTSD however, differs with individuals, the symptoms might become vigilant right after trauma while others may experience delayed response. Extreme stress in PTSD sufferers leads to overproduction of certain chemicals that blocks sensation resulting in emotional numbness and detachment, further leading to tribulations in concentration. Also, people with PTSD have hyper arousal levels and are always found in hyper-alert state. They easily get startled, irritated or tensed due to high levels of stress hormones in the body (Church, 2009).

PTSD is a major concern for veterans today and is visualized to be a bigger problem over time. Facts reveal that 20% of 2.0 million American and coalition troops are victims of PTSD, which have served in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003. Thus, a need exists to find timely protocols and treatments effectual in these situations. PTSD can lead to significant losses and last for years if not treated timely whereas, professional help can make all the difference. Since, the traumatic conditions and symptoms may differ with distinctive characteristics; the treatment may be prescribed tailored to the unique nature of combat, military culture and individual circumstances (Harrison, 2011).

The paper articulates the effectiveness and use of various treatments strategies for PTSD victims while critically analyzing them. Cognitive theories of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) recognize the significance of classifying dysfunctional cognitions contributing to the regularity of this disorder. Insomnia and nightmares are prime features of PTSD that negatively impacts clinical course and functioning and thus, combined treatment for both is a primary concern. Also, probable therapeutic benefits of Behavioral Activation are examined as primary care-based treatment for PTSD (Tull, 2008).

Article Critiques

Theories

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is found largely amongst the Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF-OIF). Cognitive theories of PTSD have stressed on pinpointing dysfunctional cognitions contributing to the continuance of the ailment. Consistent ignorance of meddling thoughts and feeling prevents dependence to and extermination of fearful stimulus, and obstruct modification threatening beliefs. Alteration to a trauma, however, is challenging since thoughts patterns, physiological arousal mechanisms and attention process are devoted to future threats planning. In view of that, cognitive processes involve excessive fret and self-punishment, leading ...