PTSD and Military Members
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs as the result of a terrifying circumstance in which a person experiences trauma. This disorder can occur as a result of numerous circumstances. For those in the military, PTSD occurs as a result of combat, witnessing death, becoming a prisoner of war (POW) or sexual assault. Most people who experience a frightening instance are able to overcome the situation after a few days of fear and anxiety. Some however, cannot overcome the traumatic situation and have fear which can last for months at a time affecting their ability to live and enjoy life. In these cases, PTSD is often a factor.
Out of every American in the United States today, approximately 7.8% will experience some form of PTSD in their lifetime. Women are about twice as likely to develop this disorder. Symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder include flashbacks, panic, memory loss, insomnia and depression. PTSD symptoms can be very harmful to a person’s health. It is important to seek therapy and treatment at a PTSD treatment center while symptoms of this disorder are still in their early stages and have not had time to severely progress.
In some cases of PTSD, a person does not experience symptoms until months or even years after the traumatic instance. The name for this is delayed onset PTSD. Many military members will also hide any PTSD symptoms out of embarrassment, risking the chance that their condition will get worse as time progresses. Post traumatic stress disorder treatment facilities may not seem necessary at the time, but often in the long run, these PTSD treatment centers make a huge difference in recovery progression.
Symptoms of PTSD
Signs that you or a military member in your family is suffering from PTSD include:
- Nightmares
- Insomnia
- Avoidance of social interaction
- Panic
- Numbness emotionally
- Hypervigilance
- Poor work success
- Depression
- Lack of a desire to eat
- Avoidance of situations and things resembling the traumatic experience
- Relationship complications
- Poor memory
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Complications of the immune system
- Flashbacks
- Decreased energy
- Fear
- Drug and alcohol use
- Constantly “on edge”
- Inability to concentrate
What Causes PTSD?
Military members often experience traumatic situations while out in combat if threatened with death or harm. For other people traumatic experiences may be much different. Various traumatic situations which can cause PTSD include:
- Car accidents
- Abusive situations
- Neglect in children
- Military combat
- Rape
- Watching someone die
- Being held as a POW
- Natural disasters
- Terrorist attacks
- Sexual abuse
These traumatic experiences can be very detrimental to the health of a person. As we already know, mental complications can occur as a result of severe panic and anxiety. PTSD treatment facilities are available to anyone who may be experiencing signs of post traumatic stress disorder. These post traumatic stress disorder treatment centers assist those struggling with suppressed fear and bring hope for recovery.
What Determines Development of PTSD?
Why are some people more likely to develop PTSD than others? Is it genetic? Is it due to the specific situation? There are in fact a variety of factors which determine why someone develops post traumatic stress disorder. The 20 most common factors include:
- Genetics
- Individual environment (family life, social life, etc.)
- Sexual trauma
- Direct levels of exposure
- Presence of a mental disorder
- Age
- Emotional support in one’s life
- Injury
- Whether or not you felt helpless in the situation
- Unexpected nature of the situation
- Long-lasting trauma
- Severity of one’s physical reaction
- Level of fear
- Childhood trauma
- Drug or alcohol use
- Gender
- Intenseness of the experience
- Stress
- Harm, threat of harm, or death in another person
- Betrayal of confidence
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