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A Soldiers Nightmare: Ptsd

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A Soldiers Nightmare: Ptsd
A Soldiers Nightmare: PTSD

War is not glorious, nor is it merciful and with every generation of men who encounter the hardships of protecting our country, we also find that some of them are returning and suffering from reoccurring acts of violence and trauma they’ve ensued while being overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s become a debilitating and all too common disorder that is in dire need for the necessary aid before it manifests and becomes too late for anyone to help. It’s been an ongoing power struggle where the United States military and the Department of Veterans Affairs has not adequately diagnosed, treated, or supported their soldiers who suffer greatly from the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and the consequence that follow after fighting for a country that have proven to not return the favor.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD is an anxiety disorder that often occurs in people who have been though a traumatic event. Such events include, rape, war, and other violent acts. ("What is PTSD?") Scientists are not sure as to what changes these events make to the brain, but we know that it changes the body's reaction to stress by affecting stress hormones and chemicals that carry information between nerves. This can cause some serious symptoms such as a re-experiencing the traumatic event, difficulty concentrating, and sleeping disorders. ("What is PTSD?") Not only is the person with the disorder affected, but everyone around them can suffer as well. Many people detach themselves from others because they feel ashamed, have a lack of interest in things they once did, or they just don't care anymore. A high percentage of those who suffer from PTSD develop a drinking or drug addiction to try and cope with their symptoms. The diagnosis of PTSD originally came from the observations of the effects of combat on soldiers. Dr. John Fortunato with Beaumont Army Medical Center explains that combat can cause physical changes to

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