For this discussion I have chosen the hot button topic of post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) among veterans. I believe this to be a hot button topic
because it is usually correlated with war and combat. Both of which are very
big hot button topics. This topic matters to me because I am a veteran and I
know many veterans to include myself that suffer from PTSD.
This topic affects individuals who suffer from PTSD because they feel and
must deal with the actual affects of the disorder. The symptoms of PTSD differ
from person to person and the cause is different from person to person. With
military personnel and veterans, it is most often connected to combat related
experiences but can also be caused by training accidents, hazing incidents, loss
of friends through combat or suicide and military sexual trauma. PTSD
manifests different for everyone but there are some basic symptoms. These
include “Re-experiencing:
Flashbacks: You may find yourself reliving a traumatic event. This could
include physical symptoms such as a racing heart or sweating. Bad dreams:
These might include dreams related to the event. Frightening thoughts.
Avoidance: avoiding thoughts, feelings, places, activities, or objects that
remind you of the traumatic event. Arousal and reactivity: being easily
startled, feeling tense, having trouble sleeping. Cognition and mood:
experiencing negative thoughts, feelings of guilt or blame, or loss of interest in
hobbies” (PTSD Support & Resources for Veterans | WWP, n.d.).
PTSD in veterans affects society in a couple different ways. First it affects
families. The individual is often not the only one affected by their PTSD. This
hurts families, relationships, and friendships a like. It can also affect the
veteran’s ability to reintegrate back into society. Transitioning back into the
civilian world is hard for most veterans without PTSD and having the disorder
only makes it harder. “Veterans with trauma exposure and PTSD are more
susceptible to sleep disorders, mood changes, reckless behavior, substance use
and isolation which may impede a successful transition from military to
civilian life” (Kintzle et al., 2018).
Looking at this issue from a cognitive behavior standpoint would help one
understand the topic well and understand how to treat it.
The topic PTSD in veterans applies to self-care and emotional intelligence.
Self-care goes along ways in helping many mental health problems and PTSD
is included. Emotional Intelligence is very useful and can be used as a tool by
those with PTSD to help them know how their coping, if their coping is
healthy or not, and know how to better deal with their symptoms and triggers.
Resources
Kintzle, S., Barr, N., Corletto, G., & Castro, Carl. A. (2018, August 22). PTSD
in U.S. Veterans: The Role of Social Connectedness, Combat Experience and
Discharge. NIH National Library of Medicine.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164108/
PTSD Support & Resources for Veterans | WWP. (n.d.). Wounded Warrior
Project. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/mental-wellness/veteran-
ptsd-treatment-support-
resources?gclid=CjwKCAjw7p6aBhBiEiwA83fGut1ycxCOe7RS27fFWr9kJ
2s3Q-APJwmtJ3IZx7CNMJEX2a44hUefZhoC8vwQAvD_BwE
