Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, is a mental illness that often goes undiagnosed in war veterans.
Dr. Harry Croft, former Army doctor and psychiatrist and author of I Always Sit With My Back to the Wall, has evaluated over 7,000 post-war veterans and shares his view in a recent Huffington Post article.
Dr. Croft hopes to educate veterans, the physicians treating those returning home from war, and the general public on the true impact of PTSD.
To Veterans:
Dr. Croft wants those who served in the military to take a good look at the residual effects.
Ask yourself, are in-theater experiences impacting my daily functioning?
Am I reliving painful or violent events over and over, without much relief?
Am I afraid to admit that I am having difficulty coping with what I went through, and with being back in “real life”?
Next, look over the symptoms of PTSD.
Are you experiencing any or all of them on a regular basis?
Symptoms of PTSD include:
- inappropriate anger or irritability
- insomnia
- problems on the job and at home
- acting or feeling detached or distant
- having trouble with social events such as weddings, funerals and other family gatherings
- being easily startled or hyper vigilant
Who can you talk to about what you are experiencing?
VA hospitals and other treatment centers have counselors who will understand what you are going through, but no one can help you if you do not reach out. By communicating, in a confidential and safe environment, you can get the services you need to start healing from PTSD.
PTSD: The Silent Military Killer
When left untreated, PTSD can create mental health disturbances that have lead to countless suicides. It is not a weakness to reach out for help. You have been through a lot; events and situations that most people will never understand. Your brain is not equipped with the proper tools to cope with the associated emotions on its own. One-on-one counseling is a great tool, and there are many others available to you when you seek them.
To Doctors:
Instead of simply writing a prescription for an antidepressant, an anti-anxiety medication, or a highly-addictive painkiller, consider the list of symptoms of PTSD so that you know what to look for in patients.
Ask questions (starting with, “Are you a veteran?”) and make referrals when you spot even the slightest need for mental health services.
Try using compassion and a nonjudgmental stance when you discuss PTSD with a patient. The stigma surrounding the disorder keeps many veterans from seeking the help they need.
To Civilians:
You cannot possibly imagine what our soldiers have endured. You can become more educated on PTSD though, and understand the symptoms that can help identify the disorder in someone you know and love.
With proper diagnosis and treatment, healing from PTSD can begin. As with depression, anxiety, OCD, and mood or personality disorders, recovery from PTSD is a process. If substance abuse, an eating disorder, self-harm, or another disorder has come into play because of untreated PTSD, a dual diagnosis program can provide concurrent help for both disorders.
If PTSD is in your life, it is time to get help. Suicide and major life consequences can be prevented.
Jared Freidman works as a Quality Improvement Manager at Sovereign Health California. He dedicates his time improving the lives of those who are struggling with addiction and issues of mental health. For more information about Sovereign Health California click here.
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