Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common occurrence among veterans, which might be induced by the nature of the given occupation. Veterans are more likely to be exposed to a stressful episode, which can lead to abnormal changes within one’s perception. However, it is important to note that vets are not merely impaired or permanently damaged people. The main reason lies in the notion of recovery, which is possible through deliberate support. Therefore, veterans are not broken individuals because PTSD is a mere reaction to a traumatic event.
The term stress can rightfully be considered one of the symbols of this time. One of the integral components of this concept is the problem of traumatic stressors, as is customary in international classifications, the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder. In other words, it is a common occurrence with a more severe presence among certain occupations, such as military personnel. Moreover, the distance in time from the traumatic event does not remove these problems. In most cases, there is a complication of the psychological and psychiatric consequences of combat trauma. The severity of the stressor factor plays an important role in the formation and development of post-traumatic stress disorder (Moore and Penk. 390). It is also possible to attribute the individual’s vulnerability to trauma, premorbid personality traits, victimization tendencies, and other negative traits.
Currently, there are a limited number of measures, which can be utilized to help vets with PTSD, but it does not mean that they are permanently impaired. The main reason is the fact that some approaches showed improvements in the veterans’ well-being. The mental health of military personnel participating in local wars is one of the urgent problems of modern psychiatry. Medical and social consequences of combat mental trauma, its clinical, psychopathological, and therapeutic, and rehabilitation aspects are the subject of numerous studies. Despite the increased interest of scientists in the problem of combatting post-traumatic stress disorders, many of its elements remain unresolved. However, there are indications that certain measures can lead to major improvements in the overall mental health among military personnel and veterans, such as mindfulness stress reduction techniques (Polusny et al. 463). In other words, PTSD is not a permanent impairment, which means there is a steep recovery process.
It is important to emphasize some psychological aspects of stress, such as the significance of life events, a person’s attitude to a threatening situation, taking into account moral values, religious, ideological, and other worldviews. The physiological state of the body at the time of injury, especially somatic exhaustion against the background of a violation of the stereotype of sleep and food intake, is considered a pathogenesis-based factor (Quitangon 136). These and a number of other factors are highly important in the initial period of PTSD development at the stage of acute stress disorders and then at the background of the actual clinical manifestations of PTSD.
In conclusion, PTSD is a major issue among veterans who suffer from the undesired consequences of their stressful occupation. One might argue that vets’ condition should be considered as an impairment or permanent situation due to their predisposition. However, it is critical to understand that PTSD is a mere reaction to a high-stress event, which is prevalent during on-field combats. Evidently, veterans are more exposed to such traumatic experiences, which makes them more susceptible to PTSD. Regardless of the notion, treatment and recovery measures should not be abandoned due to future prospects and potential.
Works Cited
Moore, Bret A., and Walter E. Penk. Treating PTSD in Military Personnel, Second Edition: A Clinical Handbook. The Guilford Press, 2019.
Polusny, Melissa, et al. “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Veterans.” JAMA, vol. 314, no. 5, 2015, pp. 456-465.
Quitangon, Gertie. Vicarious Trauma and Disaster Mental Health: Understanding Risks and Promoting Resilience. Routledge, 2015.