User:Carmenppd911

    Soldiers entering basic training are “green” and highly motivated, their minds and personalities are still that of a young immature high school kid who has not yet fully matured into adulthood. They have no clue that soon they will be built up into one mean fighting machine. They are extremely devoted to their country, and into fulfilling and accomplishing any mission given to them. They are especially concerned for the well being of their fellow soldiers. After finishing basic training, they feel that they have developed the combat skills and survival techniques necessary to help them conquer anyone or anything that comes their way. But when the reality of war hits them in the face, it's then they “gut check” themselves and think are they really ready? Upon entering the war zone they witness traumatizing and horrifying events that they will never forget. So let's take a minute and try putting yourself in their shoes and let's try to imagine yourself being ordered to run over a young child who will not get out of their way and they can't swerve to avoid them because of the IED's,(Improvised Explosive Devices) placed throughout the roadways, imagine yourself hearing the thump of the child's body as it hits the bottom of the humvee. Or imagine having to follow orders to take out a sniper nest in a village and then entering it only to have discovered a family consisting of a grandmother, two small children, and a dog all “shredded” or incinerated by you. These types of horrific memories will never leave your mind, they are and will always be there in the back of your mind haunting you each and every minute of every day for the rest of your life. So for most of these soldiers trying to forget their horrible memories and pain is simply impossible. They try numbing themselves with alcohol, illegal drugs, or other types of medications to help avoid having to re-think about what they witnessed. But for many of these soldiers the “flash bulb” memories are so vivid and crystal clear. To them it seems as if it was just yesterday that these horrors took place. These are the “hidden scars of battle”(Time) that they live with on a daily basis.  Anyone who has ever been exposed to a natural disaster, child or sexual abuse, military combat also have a high chance of being diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress 

Disorder, because these traumas often create feelings of intense fear, helplessness, anxiety and anger which can be related to the symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (www.ncptsd.org)

It is said that soldiers who have returned or are returning home from war, have a high stress volume and are full of anxiety. The thought of reintegrating back into society scares them for they trust no one. And for the soldiers who are married having to get reacquainted with their spouse and children is very stressful for they now have to learn how to be a “family man” again. So for many of the soldiers these lifestyle changes are far more stressful and terrifying than being on the front line. One don't often think about the soldiers' families and everything they have had to go through during and after their soldiers deployment. During their deployment they have no choice but to go on with their daily activities, their daily routines and hold down the “fort. After their return home they are still holding down the “fort” but they have an even bigger problem-they are now living with a total stranger. They are not the same person they were before entering the military these men and women will never be the same for what they have seen and experienced has taken a toll on them emotionally and physically and unfortunately it has changed them and their lives forever. Psychologist studies show that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is now becoming more common and that sometimes it can emotionally hit a person right away upon returning home and for others it can take months, even years before it sets in. Studies show that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in soldiers causes them to relive and re-experience the horrible and traumatizing memories of war and it could last throughout their lifetime. Although these memories are upsetting for some, to others it helps gives them an opportunity to help make sense and understand just what happened and to try and gain control over the event. For most veterans having to relive these experiences often takes place through nightmares and flashbacks, which can cause difficulty sleeping (insomnia), feelings of detachment or estrangement. (Psychology Today)

According to my interview conducted recently at the Denver VA Medical Center I had the opportunity of speaking with former Navy medic Garrett Ortiz. He is a veteran of Desert Storm/Gulf Persian War and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. Mr. Ortiz has recently been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and is now in a seven week residential Post Traumatic Stress Rehabilitation program at the Denver VA Medical Center. Mr. Ortiz indicated that since being diagnosed with this debilitating disorder his personal life and career has changed completely. (Ortiz) He states has gone from having a long term career as a Police Officer to being terminated and is now considered to be 100% unemployable due to this disorder. He states that on a daily basis, twice a day, he has to take numerous medications just to “get him through the day.” (Ortiz) He also states that he has since become distant, isolated, angry, and often at times feels as if he is “going crazy.” (Ortiz) He indicated that his relationship with his wife and children are also very strained due to his condition. The symptoms that Mr. Ortiz is experiencing is common in veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Unfortunately these symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly impair one's daily life. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is marked by clear biological changes as well as psychological symptoms. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder frequently occurs in conjunction with related disorders such as depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, physical and mental health problems to include suicidal and homicidal tendencies. (www.ncpctd.org) This disorder is also associated with impairment of the person's ability to function in social and family life; to include occupational instability, marital problems and divorces, family conflicts and difficulties in parenting. This is a very common type of behavior for veterans to display.

Dr. Mark Ghoulston from (Psychology Today) states that the divorce rate is highest amongst military families. Because for most veterans their feelings of being emotionless and detached from their loved ones has put a strain on one's marriage, parenting, and often with extended families. Because they avoid all family gatherings, being in public, social events, for they have a fear of being in large crowds. What one must remember and try to understand that this how they were “trained” and taught to survive. They “trust” no one so being isolated and distant is a very common symptom. (www.ncptsd.org)

There are numerous symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which can involve feelings of trust, emotional closeness, lack of communication, assertiveness and problem solving. At times family members may feel hurt, alienated, discouraged, and hopeless because there veteran has not been able to overcome the effects of their trauma. But, what they don't realize is that hey are the “primary” source of support for their veteran. Families can help their veteran in many ways, by providing companionship and a sense of belonging. Families can also provide practical and emotional support for dealing with life’s stressors. So being able to understand your veteran and being patient is the key to a successful relationship. By all means it is very hard to live and deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder on a daily basis and it has been said that spouses and children of veterans have also been recently diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to the emotional instability in the home. But with group and family therapy that is now readily available this is helping in providing a stable and healthy relationship amongst everyone. It has also been determined that another factor amongst soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the impact of anger. This form of anger that is displayed can become a huge problem not only for the veteran but for his or her family as well. It is said that veterans are easily agitated, irritated and annoyed and can become easily overwhelmed within a matter of minutes. Studies show that their anger is based on what is called “survivors guilt.” Which is the feeling of “Why did I survive and he or she didn't?” (www.ncptsd.org) For most of us anger helps us cope with life's difficulties by providing increased energy to continue facing our life's obstacles. However, in someone who has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder their post traumatic anger is and can be uncontrollable and can lead to a sense of being “out of control” of oneself and has been known to create problems in their personal lives and with their careers.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder also has been known to change a person's behavior. They are more irritable and can be extremely aggressive. (www.ncptsd.org) When confronted with a situation that they feel they cannot handle they begin to go into “survival instinct.” They begin to feel that they are in “full activation” mode and begin to react to situations as if all were “life threatening” because this is how their mind has been taught and trained to react to situations. This quick automatic response of irritability and anger in individuals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can create serious problems in the workplace and in their family life. Again this goes back to their thoughts and beliefs that they cannot “trust” anyone so they tend to be more hostile, on edge, and always have a feeling they are in eminent danger or there's a threat nearby. (Time) Most of the time it said that they feel as if they are like a “time bomb” ready to explode.

There are many resources currently available not only to the veteran but to their families as well to help understand these symptoms and behaviors. Military One Source is for all military forces, phone lines are open 24 hours, seven-days-a-week and it is toll free information and also a referral service available worldwide to active duty, reserve, and National Guard military members and their families. This services provides information ranging from every day concerns to deployment and reintegration issues. One can also get on the www.ncptsd.org website to search for help in answering questions, or to seek help and treatments that are readily available.

There is so much to learn and know about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and how it not only affects the veteran but the immediate family as well. This was just a brief over view of this debilitating disorder. Learning how to cope, live, and adjust with someone who has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be very stressful and can eventually become easier with time, understanding, patience, continued therapy and the support of one another.

Remember, being able to help our brave young men and women successfully return to back to their civilian life is the war after the war. They fought a long and hard battle for us and for our freedom now it is time for us to give something back and help give them the love, help and support they so desperately need and deserve.

Works Cited

Ghoulston, Mark Dr. “PTSD from the Inside Out.” What is PTSD like from the inside out? Psychology Today., http://www.psychologytoday.com 14 July 2010. Web National Center for PTSD. “Returning from the War Zone: A guide for families of Military Members.” June 2009. Print. National Center for PTSD. “United States Department of Veteran Affairs.” Web. http://www.ncptsd.org 23 Mar. 2012. Ortiz, Garrett S. “Post traumatic Stress Disorder.” Personal Interview. 16 Mar. 2012 Wallis, Claudia. “Hidden Scars of Battle.” Time., http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,994616-2,00.html Los Angelas., 12 July 2004. Web