PTSD Among War Veterans

PTSD Among War Veterans

Thesis Statement

Owing to the alarming increase in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological disorders among war veterans returning from war-ravaged countries, there is a need to devise effective strategies and elaborate medical intervention plans that help these patients to return to a normal and happy life in the society.

Background

As America is in a state of perpetual war against several countries across the globe, its troops are engaged in battles and skirmishes on a regular basis. Since most American troops serve in forward positions in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq, they are usually on the frontlines of battle and face the full brunt of the war (Ribeiro et al., 2012, p. p. 746). Research has revealed that long-term engagement of troops in conflict-ridden zones has adverse psychological effects on them that can prove to be severely damaging. Additionally, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are common among war veterans returning to the United States after serving for a long-time in war-torn countries (Ribeiro et al., 2012, p. p. 746). The National Institute of Mental Health asserts that PTSD is a severe mental condition which is caused as a result of a particularly disturbing experience involving physical harm or serious threat. Since these factors are common in a war, it is common for war veterans to have flashbacks of traumatic events (Ribeiro et al., 2012, p. p. 746; Bossarte et al., 2010, p. 706). This may have different effects on them, either causing them to become more aggressive or reserved and withdrawn. Both types of behavior are considered abnormal and war veterans risk their health in either case.

Statistical Findings

The RAND Corporation has conducted extensive research in order to determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among war veterans returning from the battlefield (Tick, 2005). The research was returned some facts that were both startling and disturbing. For example, from the 2.3 million veterans who have engaged in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, a little over 20% suffer from PTSD or depression (Bossarte et al., 2010, p. 706). Also, the tendency to commit suicide is also common among returned veterans. In Addition, more disturbing was the fact that nearly half of all veterans expected to be psychologically affected by war never bother to seek medical help. From the half that does seek medical treatment, only 50% are actually provided treatment that may be deemed adequate (Bossarte et al., 2010, p. 706). Statistics also suggest that 19 out of every 100 veterans who return from war zones suffer from (TBI) traumatic brain injury while 7% of all veterans have PTSD as well as TBI (Bossarte et al., 2010, p. 706; Ribeiro et al., 2012, p. p. 746). What is even more disturbing, however, is that the number of war veterans undergoing psychological and mental trauma has steadily increased over the past decade. This may be the result of continued engagement of US troops in several other conflict ones like Iraq, and Libya (Finley, ...