PTSD IN MILITARY VETERANS: STATS, SYMPTOMS, SUPPORT, AND TREATMENT
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex psychological condition that can develop after experiencing traumatic and stressful events that leave a scar on the memory. These events could be anything from a chronic disease, a chronic injury, being sexually abused, violence, domestic abuse, the death of a loved one, or experiencing natural disasters. PTSD is the brain’s response to trauma, triggering psychological and physiological distress multiple times after the event has occurred.Understanding PTSD in Military Personnel
Our nervous system can respond to traumatic, life-threatening events in two specific ways:The fight or flight method:
When experiencing a dangerous, life-threatening, or combat situation, the nervous system activates the fight or flight system. This commands the heart to pump blood faster, increasing your blood pressure while also improving your response speed. These responses become normal once the threat has passed. This is called the fight or flight response method of the nervous system.
Freeze response method:
When the nervous system is unable to process the course of action in a combat, dangerous, or life-threatening situation, it is called the freeze response mechanism of the nervous system. The brain freezes and remains “stuck” long after the danger has passed. If the nervous system fails to return to its normal state and is still experiencing the threat, it is called PTSD.
What Triggers PTSD in Military Personnel?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect military personnel during or after their service. Most military personnel face multiple traumatic and profoundly distressful events during their service. These events can often reside inside the brain as unprocessed memories that negatively impact their mental and emotional state. This can cause the onset of PTSD in military personnel. Here are some factors that can work as triggers:Combat exposure:
During their service, military personnel have to participate in various deployments and combat situations that expose them to the risk of dangerous and life-threatening situations. The collective experience of intense violence, the deaths of comrades, and facing death can cause the development of PTSD.
Experience trauma:
Military personnel also experience a wide variety of traumatic events when serving their deployment. This includes facing injuries, experiencing violence, facing explosions, being shot at by enemies, escaping narrow-death situations where other teammates couldn’t, etc. The collective memories and the mental stress caused by them can leave psychological scars that contribute to the development of PTSD.
Experience sexual assault and harassment:
Both male and female military personnel serve multiple deployments and are vulnerable to sexual assault or physical harassment during their service. Memories of such incidents are stored in vivid detail, causing repeated feelings of shame, guilt, and powerlessness. Misconduct that happens during combat or within the military can be particularly damaging to mental well-being and leave lifelong scars. It can lead to the development of PTSD.
Multiple deployments and exposure to multiple traumas:
Military personnel can be exposed to multiple traumatic events across several deployments. The cumulative effect of these traumas can strike their mental well-being and cause PTSD.
Death of comrades:
The loss of comrades and close friends on the battlefield can trigger feelings of profound sadness, unending grief, and survivor’s guilt. Such a deep impact can lead to PTSD.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI):
Apart from physical injuries sustained during combat, soldiers are also vulnerable to traumatic brain injuries. These traumatic brain injuries can happen during combat, transportation, ambush, hostage situations, etc. Such injuries can exacerbate distress and trauma, causing the onset of PTSD.
Lack of social support and acceptance:
A lack of strong social support and acceptance among other comrades can also cause the onset of PTSD. Feeling isolated or unsupported during their deployment can also exacerbate the impact of trauma.
Existing mental health conditions:
In certain cases, the presence of existing mental disorders like anxiety and depression is the reason for PTSD. Existing mental health disorders, piled high with trauma from combat and service, become difficult to deal with for soldiers.
Not every military personnel with a traumatic experience will develop PTSD. The development of PTSD also depends on a multitude of other individual factors like genetics, resilience, coping mechanisms, the nature of trauma, and existing mental health problems. However, exposure to profound trauma and the resulting stress are major contributors to the development of PTSD among military veterans.Important Facts about PTSD Among Military Personnel
- Service in the military exposes you to different traumatic events than civilians. War zone deployment, training accidents, and military sexual trauma (MSTs) are some common reasons for the development of PTSD in military personnel.
- An astounding 7% of male soldiers suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives.
- The risk is higher in female soldiers, at 13%.
- With changes in traditional war techniques, guerrilla warfare techniques, sudden ambushing techniques, etc., the resulting trauma and fear have risen over the years with every new war.
- 3% of soldiers of the Second World War and the Korean War were diagnosed with PTSD.
- 10% of the Vietnam War participants were diagnosed with PTSD.
- About 21% of soldiers from the Gulf War were exposed to severe trauma that caused PTSD.
- Over 29% of participants in Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom experienced PTSD.
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PTSD Risk Factors in Military Veterans
The development of PTSD is directly associated with a large number of traumatic events called risk factors. Experiencing a risk factor increases the chance of PTSD in military personnel. Here are some risk factors:Facing a traumatic event:
Facing a traumatic event during military service increases the chance of developing PTSD. Seeing dead bodies, being shot at, being ambushed, receiving rocket fire, and knowing someone who died or had a serious injury are all severe traumatic incidents.
Facing trauma before service:
Any exposure to trauma before the service makes things worse. Additionally, experiencing the above-mentioned traumatic events during service only increases the risk of PTSD.
Age during service:
The human brain is still in the development stage at the age of 25. This increases the chance of traumatic events remaining as unprocessed memory. Experiencing trauma at an early age increases the chance of developing PTSD.
Gender is a risk factor:
Sexual and domestic abuse are two prominent risk factors that leave lasting scars on mental well-being. Women are at an increased risk of facing sexual assault and domestic violence compared to their male counterparts. This makes females more vulnerable to PTSD than males.
Military rank:
The rank of military officials may affect how susceptible they are to PTSD. Soldiers on the frontlines are exposed to more violence and traumatic events, while generals who are not directly involved on the battlefield, are less susceptible to such events.
Ability to make sense of the event:
The ability to make sense of the event afterward is important. Many military servicemen struggle to make sense of what happened and why it happened. Unprocessed trauma can cause PTSD.
Symptoms of PTSD in Military Veterans
The symptoms of PTSD in military veterans can be classified into four broad categories:Distressing thoughts and memories:
- Distressing and recurring memories of the traumatic event.
- Nightmares in the form of clear and depressing dreams of the traumatic event.
- Flashbacks of the event refer to experiencing the entire incident as if it is happening again, along with emotional and physical sensations.
Avoidance nature:
- Avoid situations, places, people, and activities that remind you of the traumatic event.
- Avoiding conversations, thoughts, and feelings related to the traumatic event.
- Emotional detachment from the present.
- Losing interest in activities that were enjoyed earlier.
Persistent guilt and sadness:
- Persistent negative thoughts about oneself.
- Constant and never ending feelings of guilt and shame.
- Experience difficulty in focusing and defocusing.
- A persistent state of sadness, fear, or anger.
Changes in reaction:
- Constantly hypervigilant and easy to startle.
- Inability to control anger, irritation, and aggressive behavior.
- Difficulty in sleeping and staying asleep.
- Participating in and triggering risky behaviors.
PTSD Treatment for Military Veterans
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) requires specialized, personalized, and comprehensive treatment when treating veterans and military personnel. Their unique experience and associated trauma make the healing journey unique and complex. Here are the various treatment methods available to address PTSD in veterans:
PTSD Therapy Options
Cognitive therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are effective in the treatment of PTSD in military personnel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for PTSD treatment
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most sought-after therapies for PTSD, mainly because of its effectiveness and the relief it provides from PTSD symptoms. CBT is an evidence-based therapy that has clearly defined goals and measurable progress parameters.
CBT is grounded in the understanding that thought patterns, emotional quotient, and associated behaviors are all interconnected. This form of therapy helps reduce distress-causing symptoms and empowers individuals to rebuild their confidence. CBT challenges and restructures negative thought patterns with positive reinforcements. It also teaches effective coping strategies.
CBT helps identify unwanted and distressing thoughts related to the traumatic event. Slow, gradual, and systematic exposure to triggers builds strength and resilience against flashbacks and nightmares. Practical skills acquired during CBT help in managing distress and regulating emotions.
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for PTSD treatment
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a widely effective therapy approach for the treatment of PTSD. It resides within the framework of CBT and is focused on processing unprocessed memories of the traumatic event that caused PTSD. The structured approach of CPT helps in processing trauma, challenging negative beliefs, and developing better mental resilience.
Irregular, negative, and unwanted thoughts are replaced with balanced, rational thoughts to ease symptoms of PTSD.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is a pivotal and evidence-based therapy approach for PTSD treatment. It also resides within the framework of CBT. Systematic exposure to distressing symptoms and recollection of the traumatic event in a controlled environment helps in regaining control over the emotional response to trauma.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is another innovative and effective therapy utilized in the treatment of PTSD. It combines cognitive therapies with bilateral simulation to help process memories of the trauma and eliminate distress.
Eye movement, gentle taps, and auditory tones are utilized to stimulate the brain. This helps in processing traumatic memories.
Medication for PTSD Treatment
Medication is the second most significant part of PTSD treatment, alongside therapies. Although medications do not cure PTSD, they help manage symptoms and make the treatment process smooth.
Here are some types of medications that are used in the treatment of PTSD:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)
SSRIs are antidepressants that reduce PTSD symptoms like depression, anxiety, and negative thoughts. These medicines control serotonin levels in the brain to improve mood and emotional regulation.
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRIs are also antidepressants but are particularly effective for military personnel suffering from PTSD symptoms like emotional numbing, irritability, and difficulties in concentration.
Some other important medicines for PTSD treatment
Benzodiazepines are used to combat panic attacks, while beta-blockers are utilized to stabilize physiological symptoms like increased heartbeat, palpitations, etc.
Other Supporting Methods for Effective PTSD Treatment
Support groups for PTSD treatment
Support groups can provide much-needed support. Joining a support group will help you connect with others facing similar problems. It facilitates a feeling of camaraderie and mutual understanding.
Mindfulness techniques for PTSD treatment
A wide array of mindfulness techniques like mindful walking, mindful eating, yoga, stretching, etc. can help regulate overwhelming emotions and facilitate relaxation. These techniques also keep you anchored in the present.
Holistic therapies for PTSD treatment
Holistic treatment approaches like art therapy, equine therapy, nature immersion therapy, etc. allow creative means of emotional expression. These therapies also emulate positive reinforcement and a sense of achievement upon completion.
Military Personnel and Their Pursuit of PTSD Healing
Understanding PTSD and navigating the landscape of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military personnel requires an all-inclusive and personalized approach. Seeking help for the treatment of PTSD is an act of courage, not weakness.
Veterans Care Resorts acknowledges that military personnel deserve special care and support. Their commitment to the well-being of military personnel parallels the dedication of military personnel toward the country. Armed with knowledge, facilities, and empathy, Veterans Care Resorts provides them with tools to challenge and overcome PTSD, come back stronger, and find motivation and purpose. A shared responsibility that ensures a path to healing is their core mission.
