The first study of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder conducted with active duty military personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq.
What is PTSD?
(Post traumatic Stress Disorder)
A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet
Post traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults like rape. People who suffer from PTSD often relive the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and feel detached or estranged, and these symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly impair the person's daily life.
PTSD is marked by clear biological changes as well as psychological symptoms. PTSD is complicated by the fact that it frequently occurs in conjunction with related disorders such as depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, and other problems of physical and mental health. The disorder is also associated with impairment of the person's ability to function in social or family life, including occupational instability, marital problems and divorces, family discord, and difficulties in parenting.
For more detailed information and resources on PTSD go to the following web site:
This is a troubling but valuable PBS presentation on PTSD. This program is essential viewing for homecoming family preparedness. Hopefully your homecoming Veteran will be one of the majority who will experience a healthy transition to a normal and productive life after their initial homecoming. However, hoping this will be so is not advised. Be educated and be prepared in case you see or experience troubling clues that may lead to more serious problems.
Historical and recent research indicates the majority of all Veterans (approximately 75 - 85%) who are exposed to actual combat and combat environments return from deployment and transition into civilian life very productively. Certainly there is a decompression and reintegration process that is a unique experience for each Veteran but most move through and beyond this re-socialization phase with a true sense of meaning and purpose for their lives. For most Veterans, their military experiences greatly serve both themselves and the communities they live in. The leadership and team building experiences learned in military life directly translate into benefits for our society and for our nations civilian employers.
What we as a society must focus on are the 15-25% of returning Veterans who are suffering from the effects of their experiences of combat. Unfortunately, research indicates that up-wards of 60% of these Veterans suffering from PTSD will not seek help. The reasons for this may not be surprising, fear of stigmatization by peers and superiors is a significant concern along with the indoctrination and mindset that is developed through military training. We must also consider the code and values one must embody to successfully function in the military, "The Few, The Proud, The Marines", " Army Of One", "Adapt, Overcome and Improvise", there is nothing in this instilled sense of self reliance that tells someone it's OK to seek help. Although our military is beginning to develop programs and allocating resources to address these issues, family support, education and awareness are key to understanding the needs of our homecoming Veterans.
This is our opportunity as a nation to "Get it right" this time as our family members return home from deployment and military service.
This is a very informative article that unfortunately builds a strong case of the need for the Veterans and Families Homecoming Initiative. To view the full article, click on the blue underlined title above to be directed to the LA Times web site.
