Post-traumatic stress disorder in military personnel returning from Afghanistan and Iraq

PTSD

It has been almost ten years since the U.S. sent troops to Afghanistan and Iraq. During this period, U.S. Army deployed hundreds of thousands personnel to these battlefields. However, the impact of these deployments is troubling. As nearly 20% of military personnel who return are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Simply put, this is defined as a mental disorder that a person can develop after being exposed to a traumatic or distressing event. This usually involves an individual engaging in some kind of physical harm to themselves or others. As, a considerable number of military personnel are being exposed to combat situations during: military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The reason why is because, soldiers are always under threat from constant insurgent attacks to include: suicide bombings, mortar strikes and hit / run assaults. Where, they are committing sudden attacks at: checkpoints, military bases and other staging areas (which is a contributing factor to PTSD). There are a variety of signs and symptoms that soldiers are reporting that are related to the condition. A few of the most notable include: trouble sleeping, nervousness / anxiety and alcohol related problems. In a number of cases, these issues have resulted in the complete destruction of their family and social relations for these individuals. This has produced skyrocketing suicide rates among this group, with this recently reaching a 30-year high. As a result, this situation offers new challenges for: the U.S. Army, psychiatrists and the government. This is significant, because it shows: the underlying problems associated with PTSD and how they are affecting the military. To fully understand what is happening requires: examining the target population, how the implementation of an intervention will take place, potential contributions and the application of the procedure. Once this occurs, it will provide the greatest insights as to how to effectively deal with this lingering condition. (Moore, 2010, pp. 232- 238)

Target Population

The target population comprises of the soldiers either returning from: the battlefield and those who are being sent into areas of conflict. During this process, military personnel are being assessed for their mental health before and after their deployment. After returning to home, they are asked to complete a Post Deployment Health Assessment within five days. This is when they will undergo a review with mental health professionals and they are encouraged to discuss any issues they are experiencing in their lives. After four months, these individuals have to go through a re-assessment for mental and physical health issues. (Kinichin, 2004)

In this aspect, our target population will focus on specific individuals that could be exposed to conditions (who are developing some of various symptoms). As, we are monitoring how the individual will: change before, during and after several months beyond their deployment. This is significant, because these groups of individuals can provide specific insights about the effects of PTSD on the target population.

Potential Contributions to the Field

This can make a potential contribution to the field of Educational Psychology by providing insights about: how to improve communication and training. These two factors are important, in understanding how the thoughts of the individuals and the way past events are influencing them. Once this occurs, it will provide precise insights about the way thought patterns and emotions of the individual will influence their behavior in the future. This is when specific strategies can be introduced to help address these issues.

Implementation of the Application

The implementation of this application should occur with all individuals who are diagnosed with PTSD. Ideally, this should begin once they return from a tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan by: having a series of sessions with the patient and their spouse. This will take place in a non-confrontational atmosphere over the course of several sessions (usually one to two times a week). Those individuals who are improving will see a reduction in their counseling sessions to: every other week and eventually once a month. The soldiers that are not responding favorably will be referred to the Army for more intense psychological counseling. If this kind of approach can be taken, it will help to reduce the number of mild to moderate PTSD case. While the most severe individuals, will be able to receive specialized treatment for their condition.

Clearly, the best way to effectively combat PTSD is to have soldiers go through a structured therapy approach with their spouses. This will help to: improve communication and it will ensure that those patients who suffering from mild to moderate cases are treated effectively. Those individuals, who are suffering from more acute symptoms, will be able to seek out intense forms of therapy. If this kind of an approach can be taken, it will intelligently address these issues by: sending those soldiers to counseling to discuss these issues in a non-confrontational manner with their family members. This is the point that they can begin to discuss and understand how to deal with these events from the past.