Homework

PTSD 7

PTSD and its effects on Military personals

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University

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1

Military personnel has an increased likelihood of being exposed to various traumatic events during their job. Exposure to traumatic events can often lead to these military personnel’s exposures to various problems that may target physical or mental health. They may get involved in cardiovascular complications or be subjected to substance abuse, including alcohol use. These changes in physical or mental help can add to various interpersonal problems that can change the habits of military personnel affecting their lifestyle. According to various researches, it has been observed that veterans and military officials are more subjected to attempting suicide as compared to the general public. This ratio increases as they experience the symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress). Major issues including alcoholism, sleeplessness, and depression are linked to PTSD in the military community, making individuals subject to severe consequences if not treated timely. Comment by Kim Finn: I do not think “often” is accurate. Most veterans including combat veterans don’t develop PTSD. Increased risk due to exposure than the general population, yes. See about getting stats for prevalence of PTSD and veteran suicide. Also missing citations within the text in this paragraph. Comment by Kim Finn: *studies Also, if you say this, then cite two or three studies that state this (or a lit review article) as your in-text citation for this statement.

According to Blais et al. (2021), PTSD is the most commonly diagnosed disorder among the US military individuals associated with increased risk compared to the general public in the United States. Social sport, demographics, and Military Service are the moderators that associate with PTSD. For example, in terms of military personnel belonging to ethnic communities or minorities are subjected to increased stress and the provision of lower support from society in difficult times. Similarly, women, especially non-white individuals who belong to minorities or ethnic communities in the military system, receive even less support because of gender and racial discrimination. This decrease and lower unit support is associated with the increased onset of PTSD symptoms. There are various characteristics in terms of social support; for example, the type of association and source timing are the moderators between PTSD symptoms and social support. Negative interactions increase the risks of post-traumatic stress. Theories of social support indicate that problems of negative support can be more severe and depressive as compared to the benefits of positive social support. Positive support is desired and useful; therefore, it is perceived as normal, but negative support is depressive as it is and decided and sometimes becomes even severe, affecting the mental balance leading to depression, stress, and anxiety. It can be associated with disappointment and concerns. Comment by Kim Finn: Which? Comment by Kim Finn: Lower case Comment by Kim Finn: Moderating variables are not associated. Rather, they moderate an effect. Rephrase this sentence. Comment by Kim Finn: Redundant phrasing Comment by Kim Finn: Awkward phrasing

Blais et al. (2021) further explained that the occurrence of PTSD symptoms could also be associated with the duration of Military Service as an important factor leading to exposure to traumatic events. For example, Vietnam veterans were unable to gain social support in a positive manner for this military operation, but they had to serve the orders of the military in Vietnam as they were subjected to draft involuntarily for services. Therefore, there are various incidences where the veterans related to the Vietnam War were exposed to traumatic events leading to the occurrence of PTSD. This suggests that the prevalence of social support can be considered a stronger buffer against PTSD, which can alter the positive or negative impact according to the nature of support provided to the military personnel. Comment by Kim Finn: Lower case Comment by Kim Finn: Redundant. Also we had quite a few service personnel who volunteered. Comment by Kim Finn: Give a citation for prevalence of PTSD among Vietnam veterans perhaps.

Fischer et al., (2020). The subjection of military personnel to post-traumatic stress imposes an increased cost to individuals, families, and society in general. To deal with these issues, increasing the meaning of life can be regarded as a safeguard against the occurrence of the symptoms related to post-traumatic stress. Through various research studies, it has been observed that several evidence-based treatments against PTSD and other theories related to stress claim that increasing the meaning of life and the quality of life plays a critical role in making the individuals adapt to their environment after their exposure to traumatic life events during their service. Comment by Kim Finn: Word choice?

Kerr et al. (2020), with an increasing ratio of military officials diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, the concerns of occupational therapy practitioners are also increasing regarding the health, maintenance of the quality of life, performance, maintaining the productivity of work, and decrease in motivation. Continuous exposure to combat on the battlefield can initiate a stress reaction that is not inherent, but it affects negatively especially hindering occupational performance. Therefore, occupational therapy should be introduced as an intervention to treat the military personnel to increase their occupational engagement and performance. It should also be aimed at improving the meaning and purpose of life, especially for the individuals who are discharged from Military Service so that they can become a functional part of the society after their reunion with the society. Kerr et al. (2020) explained that the presence of occupational therapists as an intervention against PTSD among veterans is necessary to facilitate the re-integration of civilian lives so that they can become a part of society. Moreover, the individuals who still have to serve the merry military gain their consciousness and minimize the impacts of PTSD on their daily routine to make them fully prepared for their jobs. Evidence-based therapies can be efficiently utilized for the treatment of military personnel so that they can be a part of society more efficiently overcoming their struggles. Comment by Kim Finn: Give numbers to make this claim stronger. Comment by Kim Finn: Word choice? Comment by Kim Finn: Lower case.

There are a variety of ways that are affected due to PTSD, among which quality of life is one of the most important areas. Soldiers having PTSD are more likely to develop other mental health problems, including depression and eating disorders. Kimbrel et al. (2016), Explain that people with PTSD are six times more likely to develop symptoms of depression and anxiety. This has a direct impact on an individual's quality of life. Similarly, the victims are at risk for developing a variety of physical health issues, including diabetes, sexual dysfunction, obesity, and cardiac issues. These Health difficulties directly impact the quality of life of an individual in terms of keeping study employment, achievement of ambitions, or having a family. Comment by Kim Finn: Cite this statement. Comment by Kim Finn: Lower case. Comment by Kim Finn: Lower case.

PTSD has a substantial impact on the life of veterans in a variety of ways, including disrupted relationships with their families and social elements. Domestic violence is also considered a problem that many women face, and their male military spouses often perpetuate it. Domestic abuse among veterans is a serious societal issue with serious medical effects that must be addressed. Domestic violence can be a result of PTSD among male veterans. According to Trevillion et al. (2015), around 15 to 20% of military personnel have reported suffering from PTSD or depression following their deployment. Individuals with mental disorders are more likely to impose a risk of violence towards others, two to three folds. This research study explains that there is a presence of increased domestic violence, especially among military personnel who are suffering from any mental disorder or PTSD. The individuals deployed from their military services, especially from Afghanistan and previously Iraq, return to their normal lives. However, they suffer from mental disorders due to certain traumatic events, or sometimes PTSD increases the risks of interpersonal violence, most probably domestic violence. Therefore, it is necessary to understand this issue and introduce policies that can help these veterans for safer treatment to return to society safely. Comment by Kim Finn: This stat should have been in the beginning of the paper. You can expand here though.

According to Watkins, Sprang, & Rothbaum, 2018), there is an existence of efficient psychological treatments that can be used against PTSD. Among these evidence-based treatments, PE, CPT, and a focused CBT are considered and strongly recommended as the most efficient treatment as a therapy against PTSD. These treatments focus on quitting the trauma, addressing the memories of the traumatic events, and intervention the thoughts or feelings related to tragic events that the individuals have suffered during their life course. It is suggested that the treatments having strong evidence should be considered the first line of treatment for PTSD according to the situation and values of the patients. Comment by Kim Finn: I do not know what this phrase means – explain. Comment by Kim Finn: *for efficacy

During militarism, the veterans are exposed to various traumatic events that sometimes leave their impression on the memory of the veterans, making them develop the symptoms of PTSD. This can impose various behavioral and health changes, including increased risks of suicide, violence, and other physical health concerns. Therefore, there should be sufficient policies and therapies that can ensure the mental health of the veterans. Improving the quality of life through various therapies, more specifically evidence-based therapies, is considered to be an efficient way of making these veterans a functional part of society upon their deployment. Comment by Kim Finn: Word choice

References

Blais, R. K., Tirone, V., Orlowska, D., Lofgreen, A., Klassen, B., Held, P., ... & Zalta, A. K. (2021). Self-reported PTSD symptoms and social support in US military service members and veterans: a meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), 1851078. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1851078

Fischer, I. C., Shanahan, M. L., Hirsh, A. T., Stewart, J. C., & Rand, K. L. (2020). The relationship between meaning in life and post-traumatic stress symptoms in US military personnel: A meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.08.063

Kerr, N. C., Ashby, S., Gerardi, S. M., & Lane, S. J. (2020). Occupational therapy for military personnel and military veterans experiencing post‐traumatic stress disorder: A scoping review. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 67(5), 479-497. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12684

Kimbrel, N. A., Meyer, E. C., DeBeer, B. B., Gulliver, S. B., & Morissette, S. B. (2016). A 12-Month prospective study of the effects of PTSD-depression comorbidity on suicidal behavior in Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans. Psychiatry research, 243, 97-99. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2016.06.011

Watkins, L. E., Sprang, K. R., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2018). Treating PTSD: A review of evidence-based psychotherapy interventions. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 12, 258. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258 Comment by Kim Finn: Get rid of the extra blank page below