Table of Contents
The purpose of this paper is to describe the history of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and present a background for the reader. The paper will also describe the problems associated with PTSD and a solution that could lower costs to the Army. Furthermore, it will explain when it became a factor, symptoms and related issues, how Soldiers become affected, injuries during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the increased number of Solders who experienced traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Smith, Robinson, and Segal (2019) states, ‘While you can develop symptoms of PTSD in the hours or days following a traumatic event, sometimes symptoms don’t surface for months or even years after you return from deployment’ (para. 7). This paper will bring to your attention the Congressional Budget Average cost of treatment for PTSD in the Army per person each year.
Background
PTSD condition developed increasingly during the Civil War and World War I. The symptoms at that time were known as shell shock or War neuroses due to the individual reaction to the explosion of artillery shells. First, Shell shock was assumed to be damage to the brain initiated by the significant impact of guns. Those thoughts change when Soldiers away from large guns and explosions develop similar symptoms. PTSD can distress Soldiers who experience varieties of life-altering hostile events commonly associated with combat shock.
Every year thousands of soldiers coming back from combat deployments suffer from PTS. PTS is a condition that can destroy lives without been seen outwardly, and it is as real as a disabling wound. Anyone who observes or undergo a traumatic event can become a basis of PTSD indications. DerSarkissian (2019) states, ‘PTSD doesn’t always come with clues like nightmares and flashbacks. Sometimes it seems like a mood change unrelated to the traumatic event’ (para. 10). The engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan resulted in amplified numbers of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
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TBI is a blow to the head or a piercing head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. The report showed there were ten percent more Brain Injury in Iraq and Afghanistan than the Vietnam war. The past century of American conflicts PTSD described by three or more names such as battle fatigue and post-Vietnam syndrome. The diagnosis of PTSD not accepted until the early 1980s with the presence of Mental Disorders in service members. The Army was a narrow culture where seeking help was not widely encouraged.
Additionally, Soldiers taught to be selfless, be a collaborator with shared value goals, and place the needs of others above your own. Most Soldiers are not willing to seek help because it goes against their personal and unit values. The cause of PTSD may relate to the following: terrorist attacks, combat, abuse, serious mishaps, emotional loss, depression, natural catastrophes, and assault.
Problem
Although researches show PTSD is a higher risk to female Soldiers than male Soldiers, women continue to perform more dynamic roles in combat. Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have increasingly exposed more women to combat situations that cause PTSD to rise. Reisman (2016) states, ‘Veterans now account for 20% of all suicides in the U.S., with the youngest (18–24 years of age) four times more likely to commit suicide than their nonveteran counterparts of the same age’ (para. 51). The latest analysis issued by JAMA Psychiatry stated that 18 to 22 veterans dies daily because of suicide (Reisman, 2016). The probability of suicide goes up in veterans who separate from the Army under four years.
There were elements of military and civilian sexual assault cases that may rise in women risk of PTSD. One study showed approximately twenty-two percent of female veterans who were repeatedly threatened or sexually harassed while they were in the military (Resiman, 2016). The report concludes those females reflected military sexual trauma (MST) PTSD associated with suicidal ideation and behaviors. However, the most female often felt disheartened to use psychological facilities for assistance because it reflects poorly on their profile. Uninformed leaders prevent their subordinates from getting the necessary wellness support that could reduce the yearly PTSD cost to Army. This stigma of military separation or being fired if one seeks help due to distress from a mental health issue weighs very heavy on the Soldier emotional intelligence.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the yearly cost for treatment for candidates with PTSD. The expert study discovered that patients and their relatives could spend tens of thousands of dollars on treatments. Furthermore, there will be patients needing years of therapy to cope with PTSD after separation from the Army. Hill (2014) states, ‘CBO data shows that four years of PTSD treatment would cost $10,000’ (para. 6).
Over 256,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have been treated for PTS, up to 40% of veterans coming home remain untreated. Roughly PTS costs the Americans 2 million kids of military parents more than $15 billion. Furthermore, the married Soldiers who have PTSD possessed a “higher rate of divorce at an average cost up to $15,000 or more” according to Hill, 2014 (para. 10). Thousands of veterans around the world suffering from PTS in the U.S. an estimated 22 military and ex-military personnel commit suicide every day. For example, after my first tour in Afghanistan, a Soldier in the company took his own life. After the investigation, we learn that his spouse took the children and return to her home state because his mental stress was endangering their lives. The Soldier was pleased and settled at work and did not display the symptoms that would bring a concern to his peers or leaders.
Solution
Previously, in the early eighties, the treatment efficiency for PTSD has increased, with a host of instances dealing with various kinds of PTSD produced since then. There is also evidence that other treatment and reprocessing can be helpful as well. There has not been a systematic effort to explain the worth of combining medication with psychotherapy. Particularly in situations where more than one illness exists, the expert recommends a combined advanced should be well-thought-out. Current research has been centering on sleep studies to identify who is resilient to stress, and they are aware.
The Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) program is identified as one of the best treatment platforms to treat PTSD. RTM practices a short visualization procedure to repossess and change memory. RTM is a stress-free technique shown to relieve hallucination, nightmares, and recollection symptoms of PTS in less than half. The research revealed the three sessions therapy timeline has proved to be amazingly effective. RTM goals are to develop licensed experts needed to train mental health professionals and reach more patients daily.
The immediate RTM implementation intervention can reassure our veterans and their families are safe from related concerns that quickly develop from PTS frustrations. The high-risk issues include suicide, career disintegration, family, alcohol, and drug abuse. There is a solid conviction that administering RTM treatment could drastically reduce years of misery and disability for veterans and save the Army billions of dollars. RTM will reduce the prolonged years of therapy for PTS syndrome by guiding patients to a non-traumatizing state of mind. RTM is a pioneering breakthrough and cost-effective treatment for PTS and complete clinical treatment for any related problems.
With the reach impacts in other areas of RTM, veteran life expectancy and marital unity will have a higher percentage of lasting longer. Global Patient Access (2020) states, ‘The RTM training course involves a 4-day intensive training for participants, where the goal is to bring counselors to a comfortable competency level with their own approach and skill sets in delivering the RTM treatment’ (para. 3). Although the research therapy was in the verification phases, the results were successful, the broadening of research to treat PTSD and related clinical issues.
The Army should research and validate the effectiveness of this practice as the treatment method for PTSD going forward. Research reveals a yearly increase in suicides over the past decade. Recognize and compare with existing programs education the health care professionals and lead the change. Medical professionals can create mediations to help those identified and readdress their lives with new methods: deep brain stimulation (DBS), refractory movement disorders, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and neuroimaging literature.
The intricate trial approach was base in terms of outcome measures. Information produced from this pilot trial can use to design future studies to govern the potential of DBS to benefit Soldiers who have PTSD (Global Patient Access 2020). The following are client success stories:
A: No more trauma events such as nightmares, triggers, in my life. Encourage to calling teammates out of care now, emotionally stable, and open to my spouse.
B: Feels great to sleep through the night, able to drive his vehicle again, able to go in public without fear, slow to get irritated and angry now.
C: Past events are just a memory, and now I am learning how to play golf.
D: no afraid of getting shot while walking down hallways anymore, able to play with my children without feeling guilty. His spouse no longer fears to be around him because he is now stable (Global Patient Access 2020).
The Army should use the Non-materiel Solution of DOTMLPF-P to implement new policy to train Leaders in combat to perform triage that pinpoint PTSD symptom. The goal is to recognize signs that may lead to future issues if left untreated. Furthermore, the Army may implement updated policies to reduce or eliminate long term care through the RTM program that could potentially save the Army millions after the Soldier is separated from service.
Conclusion
Mental health issues have often seen as a sign of weakness. Soldiers may view behaviors associate with PTSD as merely being emotionally frail. Others respond to the circumstance with a sense of urgency that will save someone’s life. The paper discusses the names and symptoms at that time, PTSD was known as shell shock or War neuroses due to the Soldiers reaction to the explosion of artillery shells. The paper discusses the indicators involved in sleep problems and panic. The article explained that even when Soldiers were away from large guns and explosions, they still develop similar symptoms.
The stigma of being fired due to distress from a mental health issue is a tremendous burden on individual Soldier emotional intelligence. The paper discusses the CBO estimates the yearly cost for treatment for candidates with PTSD and describes how families and relationships are affected. Lastly, there is a solution recommendation for the Army to consider as the revised treatment for PTSD. The RTM training course involves a 4-day intensive training for participants to reach the desired result.
References
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – National Center for Biotechnology Information
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – US Department of Veterans Affairs
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – American Psychological Association
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Mayo Clinic
- What Is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? – American Psychiatric Association
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – MedlinePlus
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Ada Health
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment – Healthline
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – National Institute of Mental Health
