Effects of Screening for Violence and Depression on Patients with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER 2
Chapter I
Introduction
Throughout the course of history, soldiers exposed to the horrors of war have been emotionally traumatized by what they saw or did. The emotional damage could be extensive and often life altering to these warriors who saw first-hand what mankind was capable of during an armed conflict. It is only in the past few decades that healthcare professionals began to assist these men and women and focused on the issues surrounding what is now referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The symptoms of PTSD usually appear within three months of the trauma, but sometimes the disorder appears later. Unrecognized PTSD is common and may be an important factor in treatment-resistant depression, violent behavior, and an increased rate of suicide. Several brief screenings for PTSD have been developed to use in the primary care. The research regarding the PTSD is ongoing and typically involves an examination of both environmental and biological factors, which may contribute to the development of PTSD (National Center for PTSD, 2013).
Problem Statement
PTSD is a growing problem. Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who exhibit symptoms of PTSD have been the focus of intensive study. PTSD is characterized by soldiers undergoing great emotional upheaval and the feeling that their soul has been shattered. The effects of this disorder can be widespread: nightmares, headaches, flashbacks, withdrawing from people, profound sadness, anxiety, anger, guilt, fatigue, pessimism, sexual problems, and numbing. In the worst cases, veterans with these symptoms decide it is just too much to deal with and become suicidal. But, people suffering from PTSD can be helped. When veterans seek
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER 3 treatment for PTSD, it is critical for healthcare providers to perform extensive screenings for violence and depression. Early
Chapter I
Introduction
Throughout the course of history, soldiers exposed to the horrors of war have been emotionally traumatized by what they saw or did. The emotional damage could be extensive and often life altering to these warriors who saw first-hand what mankind was capable of during an armed conflict. It is only in the past few decades that healthcare professionals began to assist these men and women and focused on the issues surrounding what is now referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The symptoms of PTSD usually appear within three months of the trauma, but sometimes the disorder appears later. Unrecognized PTSD is common and may be an important factor in treatment-resistant depression, violent behavior, and an increased rate of suicide. Several brief screenings for PTSD have been developed to use in the primary care. The research regarding the PTSD is ongoing and typically involves an examination of both environmental and biological factors, which may contribute to the development of PTSD (National Center for PTSD, 2013).
Problem Statement
PTSD is a growing problem. Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who exhibit symptoms of PTSD have been the focus of intensive study. PTSD is characterized by soldiers undergoing great emotional upheaval and the feeling that their soul has been shattered. The effects of this disorder can be widespread: nightmares, headaches, flashbacks, withdrawing from people, profound sadness, anxiety, anger, guilt, fatigue, pessimism, sexual problems, and numbing. In the worst cases, veterans with these symptoms decide it is just too much to deal with and become suicidal. But, people suffering from PTSD can be helped. When veterans seek
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER 3 treatment for PTSD, it is critical for healthcare providers to perform extensive screenings for violence and depression. Early
References: Capehart, B., & Bass, D. (2012). Review: Managing posttraumatic stress disorder in combat veterans with comorbid traumatic brain injury Institute for Digital Research and Education. (2013). Statistical computing seminars multiple imputation in Stata Nash, W. P., & Watson, P. J. (2012). Review of VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline on management of acute stress and interventions to prevent posttraumatic stress disorder National Center for PTSD. (2013). How is PTSD measured? Retrieved from http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/ptsd-measured.asp Schiraldi, G. R. (2009). The post-traumatic stress disorder sourcebook. United States of America: McGraw Hill.