Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is defined as a severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to any event that results in psychological trauma.  This event may involve the threat of death to oneself or to someone else or to one's own or to someone else's  physical, sexual or psychological integrity, overwhelming the person's psychological defenses.  PTSD has been an ongoing and increasing health

concern among troops returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Although PTSD can be brought on by any traumatic event, it seems to be prevalent by actions witnessed in combat.  PTSD is serious enough of a condition to warrant crisis helplines and suicide hotlines by many Veterans organizations because many of our troops and Veterans have been driven to suicide by this condition.

Some statistics:  According to DOD studies, PTSD is present in 10-20% of Iraq War soldiers and the more firefights Iraq soldiers are involved in, the more likely they are to have it.

The DOD estimates that between 15 and 29% of Veterans from Iraq and Afghanis-

tan will suffer from PTSD.

Trying to manage PTSD symptoms alone can lead to alcohol abuse and other addic-

tions, along with difficulty in relationships and job performance. Children with a

parent with untreated PTSD can be very negatively affected.

One study released revealed that 300,000 individuals (18.5 of US Service Person-

nel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan) report current symptoms of PTSD and/or

depression.

With the alarming rise in troops and Veterans inflicted with PTSD, and especially the rising suicide rate associated with this condition, the earlier you identify symptoms and seek treatment the better.  The longer you wait, the more difficult treatment becomes.  Below are some links with helpful information on everything associated with PTSD.  Please, for your sake and that of your family, explore the links for all the information you can to take an intelligent approach to the problem.

Symptoms - Symptoms to PTSD are broken into three groups to include:

 

Recurrent - Troublesome memory, flashbacks, nightmares.

 

Avoidance - Avoidance to the point of having a phobia of places, people and exper-

iences that remind the sufferer of the trauma.

 

Hyperarousal - Sleep problems, trouble concentrating, irritability, anger, poor con-

centration, blackouts, difficulty remembering things, increased tendency and reaction to being startled and hypervigilance (increased guard to threats in surrounding environment).

 

 

 

 

 

Suicide Prevention Telephone Number

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

 

Official Site of

AMVETS Tri-City Post 2000

Willamina, Oregon