How Common Is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans Essay Example
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in approximately four times more prevalent in the veteran population than non-veterans. Symptoms of PTSD are varied, as is the length, and gravity of the disorder (Olenick, Flowers, & Diaz, 2015). Many veterans acquire this disorder due to experiencing or observing, directly or indirectly, a traumatic event. Patients are diagnosed using four categories including, intruding symptoms, also known as flashbacks, avoiding reminders which include isolation, pessimistic beliefs, and overemphasized surprise response.
PTSD is correlated with sleep problems, other psychiatric disorders, substance use, and pain. Combined with military-related diseases, a great number of veterans commit suicide, although less with PTSD than depression alone. An estimated 18-22 veterans commit suicide daily (Olenick, Flowers, & Diaz, 2015). They tend to be unwilling to seek assistance, which makes diagnosing and treatment difficult.
PTSD is associated
...frequently with chronic pain, so these patients must carefully be evaluated and treated. To reintegrate into civilian life, many veterans benefit from coaching which strengthens their military background, prevents homelessness, provides employment assistance, and focuses on mental health programs. Together, these aid in the transition to civilian life. Veterans with PTSD may undergo mental rehabilitation which educates them on community functioning and prepares them to have the capacity to manage in their new surroundings (Olenick, Flowers, & Diaz, 2015). They must learn to take in non-military life and build new ways of life. PTSD is usually treated with various types of therapy, antidepressants, and social support.
Approximately 12% of the homeless population are veterans. Homeless veterans suffer through many of the same hardships as non-veteran homeless, however veterans have the added military-related factors such as a history of multiple deployments and PTSD (Olenick
Flowers, & Diaz, 2015). Less than half of America’s veterans utilize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for their medical care. This means many providers, staff, and facilities outside the VA will be treating them (Olenick, Flowers, & Diaz, 2015). A nursing intervention that would assist a veteran to be successful would be completing a thorough history and assessment.
As stated earlier, many veterans do not seek help. If a nurse could identify a patient’s military background and risk for PTSD, then a proper evaluation may be performed. If suspected, or diagnosed by a provider, the nurse could supply community resources for the patient, including their local VA, support groups and ensure a consultation for psychiatry is made. As nurses, we must always remain vigilant when taking a patient’s history to inquire about any prior military experience, as this increases the patient’s probability of having PTSD.
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