Combat Stress Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society
Welfare and Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Service Related Mental Ill Health
We look after veterans who come to us with a wide range of mental health issues. We are not just concerned with the care of those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Below is a list of the most common types of conditions that our clinicians deal with:
- Clinical depression
- Raised anxiety states
- Phobic disorders
- Obsessional Compulsive Disorder
- Bi-polar illness (manic depression)
- Substance abuse (drug and alcohol)
- Psychotic conditions in a non-acute phase
- PTSD
Many of the veterans we see suffer from more than one of these conditions (known medically as comorbidity) and these problems are often complicated by relationship/home life difficulties.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The ancient Greeks first recorded signs and symptoms in their soldiers following battle that today we would recognise as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Over recent centuries military commanders and doctors have recorded a variety of symptoms which eventually became linked with the effect which the traumatic events experienced in war fighting (and peacekeeping) can have on those who have been involved in these events - 'soldiers heart', shell shock, war neurosis, and battle fatigue are all terms which have been widely used to describe a condition which has now become widely recognised and now identified as combat related PTSD.
PTSD is a psychological response to the experience of intense traumatic events particularly those that threaten life. Obviously servicemen engaged in combat are many times more likely to experience the traumatic triggers, which result in PTSD occurring. More recently, servicemen and women engaged in peacekeeping operations have also experienced the same problem; this is hardly surprising when you consider the events that they have witnessed and in which they have often become embroiled in the course of their duties.
PTSD is a pervasive illness that can affect every aspect of a person's life. It prevents them from functioning properly making even activities of daily living difficult. It also interferes with normal relationships causing disharmony and breakdown of marriages and friendships, often leaving the victim socially isolated and family and friends badly affected as well. Commonly symptoms include insomnia, recurring nightmares, persistent high anxiety levels, severe mood swings, hyper alertness, flashbacks (sights, sounds and smells), violent and aggressive outbursts, lack of concentration, as well as sexual dysfunction and depression. On top of this the veteran may well suffer from alcohol or drug abuse related problems often caused through an attempt to self-medicate their symptoms away.
One of the main challenges in helping sufferers is to engage with them and get them to accept treatment. Many feel misunderstood by health professionals and society generally so withdraw and suffer in silence. Others carry so much guilt with them they feel unworthy of accepting help.