PTSD is experienced by returning veterans due to combat and can negatively impact their relationships and community life through increased rates of homelessness, violence, and substance abuse. Family members of veterans also experience secondary traumatic stress. While PTSD was previously misunderstood, greater research and awareness in the psychology field has improved diagnosis and treatment, though more progress still needs to be made.

1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder What is PTSD PTSD is a traumatic unwanted event re-experienced in dreams, mental images and certain environments to an individual causing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. PTSD effects returning veteran soldiers due to combat-related issues. Research and studies has show PTSD effects not only the veteran soldier but, family members and their significant other which is now know as secondary traumatic stress (STS) (Ein-Dor, el al….(2010).

2. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder By Eva M. Rush Argosy University October 20, 2011 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Effects Returning Veteran Soldiers and Their Significant Other . What is PTSD . Who Does It Effects . How Does It Effects The community . Past and Present Awareness by the Psychology Profession

3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Who Does PTSD Effect PTSD effects returning veteran soldiers due to combat-related issues. Research and studies has shown PTSD effects not only the veteran soldier but, family members and their significant other which is now known as secondary traumatic stress (STS). PTSD and STS each causes relationships dissatisfaction, disillusions, social avoidance and low self-esteem on family members and significant other with relationships. They may feel this way because of feeling helpless in helping the returning veteran soldier with their PTSD issues and not knowing who to turn to for help (Ein-Dor, ela al ….(2010).

4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder How does It Effect the Community PTSD effects our community causing incidents such as on June 10, 1996, Ft Bragg, N.C., military base, Nidal Malik Hasan Army Major shooting spree killed 13 and injured 30 soldiers and civilians during processing returning soldiers from deployment (Glynn el al… (1999). It is evident looking around us such as going to work and home how many homeless veterans are in the streets and lost due to lack of knowledge, education and mis-diagnosed in the medical psychology field (Glynn el al…(199)9

5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Past and Present Awareness by The Psychology Profession Knowledge and understanding PTSD in the medical and psychology field is long over due. Past veterans soldiers returning from Vietnam were negatively received. This attitude our society took contributed to veterans guilt and shame for participating in a war which their country made them feel they had to participate in Andrews, S.B. … el al (2009). These soldiers had to suppress their guilt and experiences causing them to numb themselves with use of alcohol and drug substances to avoid re-experiencing their traumatic events Andrews, S.B. … el al (2009)

6. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Past and Present Awareness by The Psychology Profession PTSD was not given its official diagnosis until 1980 DSM-III. Research and clinical studies in the psychology profession has developed various method in diagnosing PTSD. Some of the methods used such as the Mississippi scale for combat-relate PTSD and Social adjustment Scale-Self-report is used to show effects in relationships and the community ( D,Zurilla, R.J. and Nezu, A.M., (1990)

7. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Past and Present Awareness by The Psychology Profession PTSD is acknowledged and understood more currently in the Psychiatric and psychology profession. I believe this increased knowledge will assist in treating the current returning veteran soldiers which our society today has shown to have more of a positive attitude compare to the past (Koenen, ….al el (2003).

8. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Conclusion In the field of psychology is important to keep an open-mind to changes, differences and develop new ideas in order to prevent us from being stagnated to one method. Increased knowledge of PTSD was acknowledged in making it possible to appropriately diagnosis returning veterans soldiers and their significant other. It has also brought about the knowledge, understanding and development on the various technological methods being used today to diagnosed PTSD

9. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder References: Andrews, Bernice; Brewin, Chris, R.; Stewart, Lorna; Philpott, Rosanna; Hejdenberg, Jennie, Comparison of Immediate On-set and Delayed On-set PTSD in Military Veterans, T he Journal of Abnormal Psychology 118. 4 (Nov 2009) 767-777 D’Zurrilla, R.J. and Nezu, A. M. (1990). Psychology Assessment Ein-Dor, Tsachi; Doron, Gary; Solomon, Zahava; Mikuliner, Mario; Shaver, Phillip R. Together In Pain: Attachment Related Dyadic Processes and PTSD . Journal of Counseling Psychology 57 , 3 (July 2010) 317-327

10. References (continured) Glynn, shirley M.; Eth, Spencer; Randolph, Eugenia T.; Foy, David W.; Urbaitis, Marleen; Boer, Laurie; Paz, George G.; Leong, Gregory B.; Firman, Gregory, Salk; Jonaathan D.; Katzman, Jeffrey W.: C orhers, Judith; A Test of Behavioral Family to Augment Exposure for Combat-Related PTSD. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 67. 2 (April 1999) 243-251 Koenen, Karestan C.; Stellman, Jeanne Mager; Stellman, Steven D.; Sommer, John F., Risk Factors for course of PTSD among Vietnam Veterans. A 14 year follow-up of American Legionnaires. Journal of Consulting and Clinical psychology 71. 6 (December 2003): 980-986