PTSD

 

The issue of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder has always been a problem starting back in history. There needs to be more awareness about PTSD as it affects not only the soldier, but also many who are close to the solider. According to Candice M. Monson, Casey T. Taft, and Steffany J. Fredman (all involved with the Department of Veterans' Affairs National Center for PTSD at Boston University School of Medicine), PTSD has become an increasingly sensitive and recognized issue in the military community during the United State’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operations such as Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring freedom (OEF) have shed light on just how detrimental exposure to traumatic stress can be to a veteran’s mental welfare. Veterans who are afflicted with PTSD hold higher divorce rates than average. They also have been shown to have much higher anxiety levels and more difficulty being emotionally expressive (707). As hard as it may be to deal with PTSD, the family issues that can develop can have a long lasting affect as well. No person should have to deal with such problems alone. More attention needs to be brought to this conflict to let all who deal with PTSD first hand and significant others know they are not alone.

Families need to be more educated about the barriers that PTSD can bring into the home. It starts with the issues of the soldier who is suffering then leads to issues within the family causing conflict to arise among people who have a close relationship with the sufferer. Research has shown that throughout history PTSD has affected families of military members. Evidence consistently states that veterans who have been diagnosed with chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder encounter more prevalent relationship problems and worse family adjustment than veterans who were not diagnosed. Studies also show that male veterans diagnosed with PTSD were more likely to engage in physical and psychological aggression towards their children and partners. The research indicates that it is not the direct exposure to combat that leads to relationship problems, but the post traumatic psychopathology that can progress and develop after the veteran has returned from combat (708). All types of conflict and heartache can come up within the family environment based off one of their close family members struggling with PTSD. It is important for families to become educated about what they can do to help their family member deal with PSTD. There are resources out there to provide families and the PTSD sufferer with support and to recognize the fact that there is help.

Monson, C. M., Taft, C. T., & Fredman, S. J. (2009). Military-related PTSD and intimate relationships: From description to theory-driven research and intervention development. Clinical Psychology Review, 29, 707-714. Retrieved February 11, 2014, from http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.lib.utah.edu/