Two years ago, a Marine walked into a Veterans Affairs medical center in Iowa City to tell the psychiatrist that he wanted to be checked into the psych ward due to experiencing suicidal thoughts.
The Marine was turned away. A few days later he committed suicide.
He had served three tours in Iraq; two of which he served as a combat engineer searching for explosives.
This is not an abnormal story. 22 veterans or service members die a day because of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
What is Post – Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
- A mental health condition caused by a terrifying or traumatic event that is either witnessed or experienced.
- Kinds of traumatic events:
- Combat exposure
- Childhood physical abuse
- Sexual violence (rape, assault)
- Threat with a weapon
PTSD Symptoms:
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms do not always last long or severely if people find coping skills.
Risk factors to developing PTSD long-term are:
- experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma
- early life trauma
- having a job like being a first responder or military personnel,
- having other mental illnesses
- substance misuse,
- lacking a good support system
- having relatives with mental illnesses.
“These symptoms vary by person, but may include nightmares, flashbacks, startling easily, avoidance of situations or people that remind them of the event, and feelings of anxiety and needing to be on the lookout for future dangers.” Dr. Alissa Brown, Psy.D., director of Counseling and Psychological Services at Cabrini University, said. “Some people experience traumatic events and do not develop any of these symptoms.”
Intrusive thoughts or memories include:
- recurrent and unwanted memories of the trauma as well as reliving it in a flashback.
- Comes in forms of upsetting dreams or nightmares.
- Avoidance includes:
- Not talking about the traumatic event and places, people or activities that remind the person of the trauma.
- Survivors of the trauma usually have negative thoughts about the world and themselves and see a hopeless future.
Likewise, they have memory issues; meaning they have trouble remembering important aspects of the trauma. Survivors also struggle to maintain close relationships, feel detached from loved ones, often feel emotionally numb and have a lack of interest in activities they used to love.
Emotional reactions vary, but a trauma survivor can be easily frightened, is always on guard, can have self-destructive behavior, trouble sleeping, concentrating, irritability, angry outbursts, overwhelming guilt and shame.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can increase the risk of depression or anxiety, drug or alcohol problems, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts and actions.
How to Help:
There are many ways that loved ones can help trauma survivors cope with their symptoms so that they are not suffering in silence. Friends and family can support trauma survivors by driving them to mental health professionals and being there to listen or help calm them down, if needed.
“Someone experiencing PTSD symptoms should seek evaluation and treatment from a qualified mental health professional (such as a Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychiatrist),” Brown said. “The clinician can evaluate the symptoms and make recommendations about appropriate treatment options.”
Not every trauma survivor reacts the same to what happens to them. Some experience it once while others are exposed repeatedly. It also varies for what type of support, treatment as well as the individual personality.
If you are struggling with PTSD or in any way:
- Cabrini Students: Counseling and Psychological Services on campus.
- survivor of sexual assault or rape: RAINN.
- first responder, veteran or service member or survivor of another traum please contact 1-800-TALK.
- If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.
