For my hot button topic I chose PTSD among veterans. This is something I
witnessed firsthand when my dad returned from Desert Storm, where he
earned the Bronze Star Medal. For those that do not know, the Bronze Star is
the fourth highest medal for heroism that a service member can earn. My pops
will not talk about his experiences, but I learned later that he earned the medal
for rescuing downed combatants. Just another reason in the long list of why he
is my hero.
Ptsd affects not only individuals that suffer from it, but everyone around them
also. The affected may suffer flashbacks, anxiety, and mood swings to name a
few that we saw firsthand. For us, it changed our lives. Outings were canceled
due to unpredictability. Strained relationships, often because friends didn't
understand what was happening. Thankfully we never had to deal with the
ultimate consequence of ptsd, as my father never took his own life. With
family support and therapy he leads what many would consider a normal life
where he gets to dote on his grandkids, even when he has to take out his
hearing aids because it's too darn loud!
Some of the effects on society can be increased healthcare costs, marital
instability, and elevated unemployment (Kessler, 2000). Thankfully PTSD is
widely recognized today and those affected have a variety of resources to help
them learn to cope with the disease and better integrate into society.
In module four we learned about coping behaviors, stress, and emotion
regulation. Learning the body's physical reaction to stressors can help in
understanding PTSD and why someone reacts the way they do. If you know a
person's coping style you can assist them during the harder times because you
will able to recognize what is happening faster and take steps to help.
I will tie PTSD to self care. The disease still carries a stigma that forces many
to deny there is an issue. This can lead them to delay or refuse treatment, lower
quality of life and sometimes ending in suicide. Friends and family of those
suffering from PTSD should also be aware of their self care. It can be very easy
to neglect one's own physical and mental health when trying to help a loved
one cope. It is very important for everyone associated with PTSD to be aware
of their own state and seek assistance when needed. You can not take care of
someone else if you are unable to take care of yourself.
Reference
Kessler, R. C. (2000). Posttraumatic stress disorder: the burden to the
individual and to society. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 61, 4-14
