An International Look on PTSD

Although Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has always existed in the human psyche, it was not officially recognized by the medical community until about 1980, the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs estimates. When it first entered the DSM-III, the condition was apparently met with a stark amount of controversy. Why, all of a sudden, were individuals (particularly combat soldiers) adversely affected by traumatic incidents such as war to the point of mental impairment? And what, more importantly, could be done about it?

In truth, humans had not changed in terms of their reactions to trauma. Biologically, their responses remained the same, with intense fear, depression, and anxiety sometimes ruling every minute of their daily living. However, previous generations never admitted to these emotional episodes after an individual underwent a traumatic incident, which no doubt led others to believe that no such condition like PTSD could ever exist. But the psychological damage has always been real, and combat veterans have especially paid the price for this psychological ignorance. Before PTSD entered the consciousness of the medical community, combat veterans had absolutely no assistance with dealing with their physical and emotional distress brought on by war. Unfortunately, if left undiagnosed, PTSD can be detrimental (if not fatal) to an individual and his or her well being.

The National Institute for Mental Health breaks down the many symptoms of PTSD into three main categories: "re-experiencing symptoms," "avoidance symptoms," and "hyperarousal symptoms". Boiled down, these symptoms can manifest as flashbacks or nightmares, feelings of guilt, depression, and anxiety, and insomnia respectively. Since there is still no known cure for PTSD, sufferers must stick to regimented treatment programs in order to see progress in their rehabilitation. Those who do not, or worse yet cannot find adequate support and treatment options, suffer through having their symptoms completely control their lives to the point where many commit suicide. At least 22 combat veterans a day who suffer from undiagnosed PTSD take their own lives on a daily basis because they simply cannot live through the horrors of the illness anymore-- and this number exists even with plenty of treatment options available. What were the numbers back in the Vietnam War and beyond? Moreover, what are the numbers like in nations that have not yet readily accepted the existence of PTSD and other mental illnesses, especially in their combat soldiers?

Since I am half-Afghan, I know for a fact that fighting in war is among one of the greatest honors bestowed upon young men in Afghan culture. My uncle, who was born in Afghanistan, was drafted to fight in war when he was about sixteen, and is now serving as a translator for the U.S. soldiers who still reside in Afghanistan in 2014. Unfortunately, my uncle suffers from undiagnosed PTSD ever since he witnessed his best friend being shot in the throat right beside him while they both ducked for cover. Since that experience, my uncle to this day wakes up in the middle of the night, unable to breath, after having a nightmare where he relived that day over and over again.

Afghanistan clearly does to recognize the potential and presence of PTSD in its soldiers, since teenage boys are drafted to fight, and Afghanistan seldom admits to recognizing cases of mental illness. In Afghan culture, mental illness is more of an excuse and a sign of weakness in that culture-- a notion that has been paralleled even in U.S. history until recent years. However, unlike Afghanistan, the U.S. now offers various treatment plans for combat veterans, but even these plans have their faults.

For veterans, the VA offers both psychiatric medication and talk-therapy, although studies released in 2012 by CNN and other media outlets found that medical professionals associated with the VA prescribed 259% more narcotics than in 2002, and that individualized therapy had fallen by the wayside. Therefore, ailing soldiers and veterans who suffer from insomnia might want to consider consulting outside organizations to rehabilitate their physical and mental health.

One of those organizations is Operation: I.V, a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2012 that helps combat veterans heal from both PTSD as well as traumatic brain injuries. Its founder, Roxann Abrams, is a Gold Star Mother who lost her son SFC Randy Abrams in 2009. Randy took his own life after experiencing a PTSD flashback from his service in Iraq. Randy had undiagnosed PTSD- a common occurrence among combat veterans either due to mistakes made by the medical field or simply the individual’s failure to report such grave symptoms.

As a result of her son’s death, Abrams founded Operation: I.V. so that combat veterans who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan have a place to receive treatment through a specialized “VIP”, or “Veteran Intervention Plan” program. “VIP” offers ten different rehabilitation programs, including hyperbolic oxygen therapy, service dogs, and anxiety reduction therapy. Additionally, veterans may also partake in programs such as job retraining, business mentoring, and educational assistance. Again, while there is no cure for PTSD, the programs provided by Operation: I.V. can drastically improve a veteran’s mental health and overall outlook on life!