Sign Up for Our Depression Tips Newsletter
Soldiers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Reality
There was a certain study about the mental health of the soldiers that were assigned to fight in Iraq. Alarmingly, there were many soldiers that were not mentally healthy. There was 1 in 8 soldiers that exhibited some signs and symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. Sadly, about less than 50 % of the soldiers who are suffering from post traumatic disorder sought for help / assistance.
This is mostly due to the fact that these soldiers think that it is shameful and it might hurt their career as soldiers. The most difficult and important concern that should be given focus right now is to educate people about the reality of post traumatic stress disorder especially the soldiers.
This is so that they will not think twice about asking for help and for them to not have any difficulty accepting the disorder they are suffering from. Soldiers are perhaps one of those people who are very prone to developing the said mental condition. Seeking care is of utmost priority because the sooner that a person suffering from post traumatic stress disorder asks for help and undergoes treatment, the faster he / she will be able to recover.
Soldiers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: What is it?
Post traumatic stress disorder is a type of anxiety disorder which was once called combat fatigue or shell shock. A person can suffer from this kind of disorder after he / she will witness, undergo, or experience a very traumatic event. The traumatic event is usually one that is life threatening such as military combat, terrorist incidents, natural disasters, violent assault (e.g. rape), or it can be serious accidents. A specific example is the 9/11 (September 11, 2001 terrorist attack).
Some of the people who were involved even those who saw the incident showed some signs and symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. Another example are the veteran soldiers who come home after fighting in the war. Normally, those people who survive from traumatic events heal in time. However, for some, it takes a longer time. Then, they will have problems dealing with day to day life stresses. Eventually, life becomes harder. Again, another battle should be fought.
Here are some of the common signs and symptoms of soldiers post traumatic stress disorder: trouble sleeping / sleeplessness, easily annoyed / irritable, concentration problems, flashbacks / nightmares, and feeling numb (physically, emotionally, and mentally). Suffering from these symptoms will seriously impair the quality of a person's life.
Soldiers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: What Causes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Medically speaking, the cause of post traumatic stress disorder is not known. However, experts have found out that there is involvement of a number of factors such as social factors, physical factors as well as genetic factors. Another study also revealed that post traumatic stress disorder changes the response of the body to stress.
What it does is that the chemicals and stress hormones that are responsible in carrying information between nerves are impaired. Hence, the signs and symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder occur. It is not clearly understood how trauma causes the disorder. However, what is sure is that traumatic events increase a person's chances of getting post traumatic disorder.
