Readjustment In Veterans
When we think of veterans returning home from either from a tour in a combat zone or from completing their service to our nation. Veterans today are facing numerous problems such as: Readjustment, PTSD, Unemployment and homelessness. These are just a few of the many issues that they are facing when returning home.
As a veteran I can say one of the biggest issues we have faced was that of readjustment to a civilian lifestyle from a military lifestyle. Service members are used to order and the feeling that they are part of something great as well as knowing they have the support system there when they most need it. That support system is that of their fellow brothers and sisters they serve alongside with. When a veteran returns home they feel …show more content…
Which brings me to the topic of PTSD. Trauma is all around us. From car wrecks to house fires to just someone that is close to us passing away. The PTSD that I am talking about with veterans is that of trauma that they have faced either from an Improvised Explosive device, also known as an IED, tearing their Humvee to pieces of scrap metal or a fellow brother or sister that you have fought alongside dying in your arms from a small arms fire. These veterans are coming home with that deeply burned into their memory which will flare up and cause them to panic when a car backfires driving down the street. The Mayo Clinic best defines it as “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event”. (mayoclinic.org) the rate of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans having PTSD is fairly high. Veterans Affairs stated that 11 out of 20 of every 100 returning “Operation Enduring Freedom” and “Operation Iraqi Freedom” with have PTSD in a given year. (www.ptsd.va.gov) that equals to 11% to 20% of service members. I believe that a lot more can be done to help combat PTSD in returning veterans. For starters, we need to better equip health care professionals that includes mental health counselors, rehab clinics with better training as in sending them to more seminars, classes. Another great method to help with veterans overcome this mental issue; is having the veteran partake in working with art, group/individual therapy or having him/her find a hobby that they have always
As a veteran I can say one of the biggest issues we have faced was that of readjustment to a civilian lifestyle from a military lifestyle. Service members are used to order and the feeling that they are part of something great as well as knowing they have the support system there when they most need it. That support system is that of their fellow brothers and sisters they serve alongside with. When a veteran returns home they feel …show more content…
Which brings me to the topic of PTSD. Trauma is all around us. From car wrecks to house fires to just someone that is close to us passing away. The PTSD that I am talking about with veterans is that of trauma that they have faced either from an Improvised Explosive device, also known as an IED, tearing their Humvee to pieces of scrap metal or a fellow brother or sister that you have fought alongside dying in your arms from a small arms fire. These veterans are coming home with that deeply burned into their memory which will flare up and cause them to panic when a car backfires driving down the street. The Mayo Clinic best defines it as “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event”. (mayoclinic.org) the rate of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans having PTSD is fairly high. Veterans Affairs stated that 11 out of 20 of every 100 returning “Operation Enduring Freedom” and “Operation Iraqi Freedom” with have PTSD in a given year. (www.ptsd.va.gov) that equals to 11% to 20% of service members. I believe that a lot more can be done to help combat PTSD in returning veterans. For starters, we need to better equip health care professionals that includes mental health counselors, rehab clinics with better training as in sending them to more seminars, classes. Another great method to help with veterans overcome this mental issue; is having the veteran partake in working with art, group/individual therapy or having him/her find a hobby that they have always