While on deployment, soldiers witness unthinkable horrors on a daily basis. When they come home, those images and experiences don't just disappear overnight. Unfortunately, these troubling memories often go untreated and can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Storified by Tara Woleslagel · Sat, Nov 05 2016 00:52:19
When you #wake yourself up #crying in your #dream from something that happened in #reality #ptsd
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a very complex mental disorder. Using a biopsychosocial perspective, we can better understand how PTSD affects soldiers on various levels. This perspective allows outsiders to better grasp why and how a soldier with PTSD feels and behaves the way they do, and facilitates a better understanding of how PTSD can make it nearly impossible to just get through the day.
--------- LOOKING AT PTSD FROM A BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL LENS ---------
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Biological - PTSD related trauma affects the amygdala, prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus.
The amygdala is responsible for the perception of emotions and controls aggression. The amygdala also helps to store memories of events and emotions so that an individual may be able to recognize similar events in the future; prepares the brain and body for flight or fight.
The prefrontal cortex receives information from stimuli and processes reactions and behaviors. Those who experience trauma to this region often experience serious behavioral changes; their planning and reasoning are also greatly impaired.
The Hippocampus is responsible for long-term memory and spatial navigation. Damage to the hippocampus can lead to loss of memory and difficulty in establishing new memories (this results in flashbacks).
The prefrontal cortex receives information from stimuli and processes reactions and behaviors. Those who experience trauma to this region often experience serious behavioral changes; their planning and reasoning are also greatly impaired.
The Hippocampus is responsible for long-term memory and spatial navigation. Damage to the hippocampus can lead to loss of memory and difficulty in establishing new memories (this results in flashbacks).
Symptoms of PTSD cannot be completely "cured" with medications. However, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) can increase the level of serotonin in the brain, which help reduce symptoms related to anxiety and depression.
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Psychological - PTSD can bring about: depression, anxiety, somatoform disorders, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, adjustment issues, substance abuse, personality disorders and developmental disturbances (just to name a few).
In this video, SGT Blanco explains how is PTSD gave him feeling of guilt, anger, isolation/social withdraw. The unrelenting pain led him to self medicate with alcohol and engage in self-harm and suicidal idolization. He hopes to relinquish the stigma agains vets with PTSD and encourages soldiers to look out for one another.
Purple heart recipient, SSG Caviness, explains his constant state of alertness and inability to mentally separate combat from safety. He vividly remembers the details surrounding the traumatic event. He takes medications to reduce his symptoms and is receiving help from counseling and support groups.
