A More Effective Solution for PTSD

Understanding the life threatening events soldiers experience during combat is imperative to provide effective treatment. The absence of education and attention regarding the traumatic events in a soldier’s life is more likely to decrease the probability for veterans to live a productive and self-fulfilling life. Consequently, the individuals who once served and fought for the United States of America are currently living on the streets, as homeless people. Generally, it is common for soldiers to recall life threatening experiences. Also, it might also be typical for these individuals to express feelings of horror upon remembering such negative experiences, especially if the events occurred at a recent time. Once the prolongation of these negative memories interferes with the individual’s life, the soldier becomes a victim of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD derives from an immediate terror due to direct or indirect experience in a situation where the individual’s life was in immediate danger. Also, PTSD can also develop if the individual experienced injuries due to the life threatening event, such as combat or terroristic attacks. For instance, soldiers who have fought with armed forces or who have been held captive are more likely to experience PTSD, that soldiers who have never been deployed.

Indications of PTSD are not only exhibited through stress and anxiety. Converting the feelings of anxiety into physical symptoms is crucial to understanding the symptoms of PTSD. The research included in the current study elevates the understanding of PTSD symptoms. This study will utilize a collaboration of indications to establish a strong understanding of PTSD symptoms. Specifically, psychological and biological matters will be discussed as indicators of PTSD in soldiers/veterans, such as the importance of emotional stability, self-functioning, and self-sufficiency. Furthermore, the current study will be completed utilizing the effects of proper treatment and attention as the basis for this research. As a final point, this research will present current approaches that came about after the Vietnam War. Particularly, new methodologies will be discussed in correlation with several therapy opportunities.

PTSD should not only be a topic of importance for psychologists. The role of the individual’s family and social circle is crucial to the efficacy of the treatment. Often times, relatives and friends stigmatize the individuals experiencing this disorder, as they believe such person is not being strong enough to live a productive life. Due to these uneducated thoughts, family members distance themselves from the individual. As a result, soldiers are left without the love and support needed to overcome PTSD. Understanding the indications, effects, and solutions of PTSD will highlight the significance of proper treatments. Specifically, the current study will disclose the inefficacy of PTSD treatments including recommendations to improve the effectiveness of PTSD treatments.

Indications of PTSD

Indications of PTSD are not only exhibited through stress and anxiety. Converting the feelings of anxiety into physical symptoms is crucial to understanding the symptoms of PTSD. Previous research elevates the understanding of PTSD symptoms. While psychologists believe this anxiety disorder can be treated by converting a mentally disturbed condition to its initial normal state, Tick suggests PTSD is an issue of identity (105; Kimerling 350). In the same study, Tick states PTSD is a compilation of experiences of paranoia, a hindered development, distressed personality, and a lack of treatment support (107). Particularly, Tick makes this suggestion on the basis that soldiers who have been repeatedly exposed to extensive violence lose a sense of who they were prior to becoming a soldier. Consequently, these individuals attempt to search for this lost identity while questioning and attempting to discover their new identity.

A conjunction of other symptoms is utilized to further recognize the indications of PTSD. According to Paulson and Krippner, traumas are defined as injuries to the human mind/body which create physiological, psycho-neurological, socio-emotional, biological and/or spiritual wounds (1). Furthermore, individuals who suffer some sort of trauma are often times left with psychological injuries in the form of PTSD (Paulson and Krippner 1). Arguably the greatest trauma a person can endure is to be deployed to war and withdrawn from their homes and families. During combat, soldiers experience and/or witness atrocities that extend beyond the abilities of any pre-established coping mechanism (Paulson and Krippner 1). As a result, these soldiers are left with the after-effects of war, and subsequently diagnosed with PTSD. As of November 2004, more than 8,700 United States soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan were treated through the Department of Veterans Affairs (Cantrell and Dean 85). The manifestations of PTSD extend beyond the basic indications of stress and anxiety while affecting multiple biological aspects. Various treatment options are being explored to treat combat veterans suffering from this disorder, and further research is conducted to discover how to improve the effectiveness of PTSD treatments.

United States trauma scarred soldiers are not receiving sufficient and/or proper PTSD treatment. Arguably the most externally visible and prevalent indications of PTSD victims are the crippling psychological symptoms that plague these veterans. Individuals with PTSD frequently suffer from symptoms, such as dissociation, anxiety, depression and severe memory loss (Bremmer 222). Many veterans experience intrusion symptoms, marked by recurring memories of the life-threatening events (either in actual memories or disturbing dreams) and flashbacks (Nathan and Gorman 153). These intrusion systems often impede the veteran’s ability to function in everyday life (Nathan and Gorman 153). In fact, they can be so excruciating that individuals work extensively to avoid ruminating about negative experiences (Nathan and Gorman 153). Part of the avoidance process involves the aversion to maintain close emotional ties with family or friends in fear of losing another person (Wilson and Keane 262). Often times, relationships trigger traumatic events (Nathan and Gorman 153; Cantrell and Dean 102). As a result, victims of PTSD become alienated and disengaged from society; thus, becoming an unproductive individual in society.

An individual’s emotional stability is also an indication of PTSD. Victims of PTSD are more likely to demonstrate difficulties in managing their emotions. Specifically, these individuals might exhibit complications in formulating emotional responses conducive to social situations (Nathan and Gorman 153; Bremmer 222). Victims are often emotionally numb and appear to be absent of all emotions (Nathan and Gorman 153). In reality, victims of PTSD seem to be dissociated from certain emotions when such feelings are under their usual level of grief and anger (Nathan and Gorman 153). The contrary is also correct, and other veterans sometimes experience symptoms of hyper arousal, such as irritability, emotional explosion, and unexplained anger (Nathan and Gorman 153; Cantrell and Dean 85). Regardless of victim’s status on the spectrum, these emotions are unhealthy indications of PTSD.

Effects of PTSD

As a consequence to the indications previously discussed, victims of PTSD produce several effects that inhibit their overall performance, resulting in self-dysfunction and self-insufficiency. While the general public might perceive such effects as a lack of will and determination by the victim, these effects leads to greater consequences, if not treated effectively. Until recently, PTSD was thought to be merely a psychological disease. However, new research reveals that many veterans are suffering from biological complications. This new research can serve as a premise to developing new psychological treatments for PTSD. Certain patients suffering from PTSD display physiological problems, including accelerated aging causing stroke, heart attack and diabetes (Bremmer 222). These effects are indication of the magnitude of this psychological disorder and the importance of an effective treatment, especially, at the beginning of the disorder.

Furthermore, flashback is a prominent effect of PTSD. The introduction of physical stimuli can reproduce psychological symptomatology in patients, such as the onset of flashbacks. These effects go beyond a victim’s self-will or self-determination; such effects are a result of psychological and biological symptoms that need specialized treatment. Also, PTSD patients experience a myriad of other biological abnormalities, such as increased sleep movements, reduced hippocampal volume and EEG shifts. This new evidence indicates the necessity to change the methods utilized to treat victims of PTSD. Historically, medical personnel have not fully understood PTSD and its effect on combat troops (Cantrell and Dean 84). Vietnam veterans were left untreated; thus, turning to several destructive behaviors to cope with the effects of PTSD (Cantrell and Dean 83). Such damaging behavior eventually becomes a vicious cycle, as one effect leads to the other. Often times, disorders, such as PTSD simultaneously occur with other syndromes, such as acute stress or substance abuse problems. These co-occurring disorders are cultivated due to the absence of treatment or the desire for such treatment. At times, the victim’s immediate family and social circle assist in the development and the aggravation of the effects aforementioned. The lack of support and understanding leads the victim to engage in negative behavior to fulfill the internal void and to temporarily distance themselves from the life threatening experiences.

In addition to the effects resulting directly from PTSD, the absence of proper treatment and attention to such effects allow them to reproduce additional problems. As Tick’s recent study suggests, the core of this syndrome lies in the individual’s loss of identity; hence, identity restoration (105, 107). Similarly to Tick’s study, research conducted by Wilson, Friedman, and Lindsy reveals that self-structure and identity configuration are relevant to the traumas relating to PTSD (33-34; Zimbardo and Sword 155). Consequently, the biological effects previously stated interrelate with the psychological concept of the ego. Particularly, the victim’s negative life experiences are manifested through destructive behavior exemplifying the psychological effects that lie in the unconscious to the external social environment. Additionally, research completed by Corales revealed that the victim’s knowledge of identity significantly affected psychological functioning (149). Similarly to co-occurring disorders, the effects of identity loss by victims of combat are more likely to result in a dissociative identity disorder (DID) (Chu 35; Foa et al. 510). This disorder occurs when the victim experiences at least two divergent characteristics in relation to self-perception, self-relation, and the connection to the external/social environment.

Solutions for PTSD

After the Vietnam War, the advent of new treatment options came about. Currently there are multiple methods being utilized to treat veterans experiencing symptoms of PTSD. According to Nathan and Gorman, exposure therapy is the “current psychosocial treatment of choice” for PTSD patients experiencing high levels of anxiety (154). In this type of therapy, patients are taught to disassociate negative aspects of a traumatic experience, and respond to the triggering event in a new way through re-association of it with a pleasant (or even neutral) event (Nathan and Gorman 154). Patients treated with exposure therapy have shown reduction in PTSD symptoms (Nathan and Gorman 154). Other treatment modalities are not as effective, if effective at all. For example, eye-movement desensitization utilizes, “psychotherapeutic approaches along with eye movements to stimulate the brain’s information processing system (Nathan and Gorman 156). The studies following these patients have yielded mixed results and are generally inconclusive (Nathan and Gorman 156). In conjunction with other therapy options, PTSD patients are also treated with prescription medicines from three classes of pharmaceuticals – monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines.

A group of veterans tested these drugs. Specifically, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and the drugs were found to effectively treat PTSD symptoms (although not particularly helpful for intrusion symptoms) (Nathan and Gorman 156). The tricyclic antidepressants have had moderate success in treating intrusion and hyper arousal symptoms, and good results were obtained in a trial in Vietnam veterans suffering from PTSD (Nathan and Gorman 157). However, most recently these drugs have been most widely used on “non-combat” patients – a group that excludes the veteran population and leaves them under-served (Nathan and Gorman 157). The most successful medicine used in treating PTSD is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and this drug has proven successful in treating the gamut of symptoms (Nathan and Gorman 157). In contrast, while benzodiazepines are also moderately successful in PTSD patients, use of these drugs is contraindicated in veterans because there is a high risk for developing chemical dependencies in an already high-risk group (Nathan and Gorman 157). As a result, the individual’s condition worsens, as oppose to progressing.

Given all of combinations available for treatment options, the single biggest failure in treating our soldiers from the devastating effects of PTSD appears to be in the prevention of the disease itself. The majority of treatment for PTSD is retrospective, and in reaction to veterans suffering from the lasting effects of combat. However, Pitman explored “front-line” treatment performed by the Israel Defense Force during the Lebanon War. While researchers initially found that soldiers receiving this front-line treatment experienced lower levels of PTSD symptoms and lower incidences of actual PTSD, this finding was subsequently disproved. Unfortunately, post-combat debriefing of soldiers in Operation Desert Shield did not yield the same results. The debriefing activity failed to reduce the symptoms or incidences of PTSD in British soldiers. Early intervention treatment options currently do not provide relief to veterans, but research suggests that this may be because of poor treatment strategies, as well as the timing of the treatment. Additional research is needed, especially as it relates to veterans, to improve the effectiveness of this treatment option.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is caused in veterans because of experiences they suffer (or witness) while at war. The disorder leaves lasting physiological, psycho-neurological, socio-emotional, biological and/or spiritual marks on these soldiers and, to date, the treatment options for PTSD are only moderately successful. As a country, we owe these men and women a better course of treatment to free them from the burdens of war. Unfortunately, United States soldiers returning from the traumas of wartime experience are not receiving sufficient and/or proper treatment of the devastating effects from PTSD. Despite these mixed results, and absent one clear medication proven effective in treating all of the symptoms of PTSD, only eight clinical trials have been conducted since 1988 for drug treatment for PTSD. Further, according to Pitman only two drugs have been tested more than once since that time. This is especially disconcerting given the fact that new discoveries have been made regarding a number of aspects of PTSD, and drug research have not kept up to adequately treat these patients. However, with the advent of new research and continuing developments in the field, this will change once and for all.

Conclusion

The goal of this study was to provide basic information regarding the life threatening events soldiers experience during combat. Particularly, this paper highlighted the importance of such knowledge to increase the effectiveness of PTSD treatment programs. An analysis of the indications, effects, and solutions of PTSD emphasized the importance of proper treatments. With the collaboration of several therapeutic services, soldiers/veterans will live a productive and self-fulfilling life. Furthermore, with the increased efficacy and productivity of PTSD treatment programs, the soldiers/veterans of the United States of America will have a more positive and promising future, especially those who are currently homeless. The current study encompassed the indications, effects, and solution for victims of PTSD. An emphasis was made to communicate that stress and anxiety are not the only indicators of PTSD. Somatization was vital to assessing and implementing treatments for PTSD. Previous research was incorporated to this study to assist in the understanding of the indicators, effects, and solution for victims of PTSD. Particularly, former studies addressing the psychological and biological factors were included in this study.

A victim’s emotional stability was one of the core subjects of analysis. Particularly, the absence of identity or the dissociative identity disorder (DID), which was one of the co-occurring disorders revealed in the current study. The indicators discussed yielded several inhibitors to the victim’s overall performance; thus, resulting a self-dysfunction and self-insufficiency. Furthermore, the deficiency of adequate treatment and application to the indicators presented in this study became part of the problem, as victims were at a higher risk of developing additional problems. The current study presented new and numerous methodologies utilized by psychologists in collaboration with social scientists. The focus of such treatments is to increase the effectiveness of former treatments while increasing positive results in victims of PTSD. These new treatments include prescription medicines from three classes of pharmaceuticals aforementioned.

In the end, after a deep analysis of the indications, effects, and solutions to the efficacy and productivity of treatments for victims with PTSD, it appears that the utmost deficiency in treating soldiers/veterans with PTSD is the prevention of the actual syndrome. While this goal might be difficult to concur, future research can be conducted to analyze several methods of preventing PTSD, particularly, in active soldiers. Such research will more likely be conducted in conjunction with the armed services. Specifically, the study would be best administered to participants located in several military bases. This study suggests participants include both male and female individuals that have not been deployed and are not scheduled for deployment. Furthermore, future research can also analyze the victim’s immediate family and social circle. Particularly, the behavior, characteristics, and understanding of these participants should be examined.

Works Cited

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Wilson, John P., Matthew J. Friedman, and Jacob D. Lindy. "A holistic organismic approach to healing trauma and PTSD." Treating psychological trauma and PTSD. New York: Guilford Press, 2001, pp. 33-34.

Zimbardo, Philip G., and Richard M. Sword. "Everyday trauma, PTSD, and time perspective therapy." The time cure: overcoming PTSD with the new psychology of time perspective therapy. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2012, p. 155.