PTSD
Darcel Tucker
Sociology 102-1502B-14
5/24/15
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and our Veterans
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? According to the PTSD website, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of a life threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood. Unfortunately, a lot of our military veterans are diagnosed with PTSD. Veterans who have experienced trauma or have witnessed trauma to others while deployed, have a hard time adjusting to life back home. Those who have been diagnosed with PTSD find it near to impossible to find civilian jobs because employers are not educated or do not have the information and understanding of PTSD. Many companies fear that if they hire a veteran diagnosed with PTSD, they will become violent in the workplace. As a result of the stigma that has been attached to veterans diagnosed with PTSD, many of these individuals end up homeless or living in low income public housing. In addition to becoming homeless, veterans are very leery to discuss this condition for fear of criticism or public isolation.
PTSD not only affects our veterans but also affects their relationships with spouses, family, and friends. Some of the symptoms of PTSD can cause problems with trust, closeness, communication, and problem solving. Veterans diagnosed with PTSD may feel distant from others, as well as struggle with intense anger and impulses. Spouses, family, and friends may feel hurt, cut-off, or down because the veteran has not been able to overcome the trauma that caused their PTSD diagnoses. The veteran will often feel a lasting sense of terror, horror, endangerment, and betrayal. Tragically, some statistics report that Veterans with PTSD are twice as likely to commit suicide or develop either an alcohol or drug dependency problem.
Even though our countries military veterans have
Sociology 102-1502B-14
5/24/15
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and our Veterans
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? According to the PTSD website, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of a life threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood. Unfortunately, a lot of our military veterans are diagnosed with PTSD. Veterans who have experienced trauma or have witnessed trauma to others while deployed, have a hard time adjusting to life back home. Those who have been diagnosed with PTSD find it near to impossible to find civilian jobs because employers are not educated or do not have the information and understanding of PTSD. Many companies fear that if they hire a veteran diagnosed with PTSD, they will become violent in the workplace. As a result of the stigma that has been attached to veterans diagnosed with PTSD, many of these individuals end up homeless or living in low income public housing. In addition to becoming homeless, veterans are very leery to discuss this condition for fear of criticism or public isolation.
PTSD not only affects our veterans but also affects their relationships with spouses, family, and friends. Some of the symptoms of PTSD can cause problems with trust, closeness, communication, and problem solving. Veterans diagnosed with PTSD may feel distant from others, as well as struggle with intense anger and impulses. Spouses, family, and friends may feel hurt, cut-off, or down because the veteran has not been able to overcome the trauma that caused their PTSD diagnoses. The veteran will often feel a lasting sense of terror, horror, endangerment, and betrayal. Tragically, some statistics report that Veterans with PTSD are twice as likely to commit suicide or develop either an alcohol or drug dependency problem.
Even though our countries military veterans have
Cited: Hammond, R. C. (2010). Chapter 21- Sociology of the Military 's Veteran 's and the Criminal Justice System. Retrieved 2010, from Intro to Sociology: http://freebooks.uvu.edu/SOC1010/index.php/ch21-military-a-criminal.html Sternheimer, K. (2011, November 21). Homeless Vets. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from EDveryday Sociology: http://www.everydaysociologyblog.com/2011/11/homeless-vets.html U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2014, January 3). PTSD: National Center for PTSD. Retrieved January 3, 2014, from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/family/ptsd-and-relationships.asp