The document discusses post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in war veterans. It explains that PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events in war. Common symptoms include sleeplessness, vivid memories or thoughts of trauma, violence, addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The document also notes that extending a soldier's period of service, known as "stop-loss," can exacerbate PTSD. Treatment options mentioned include psychotherapy, support groups, medication, and counseling specifically for veterans.

1. War Veterans and PTSD Beth Gewirtz Puja Bansal Psychology/8th per. Mrs. Rubin

2. War Veterans and PTSD  What is it? Who gets it?  What is stop-loss?  What are the long-term effects?  How can one get better?

3. What is it? PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder, can happen to people who go through stressful or traumatic events. Many veterans from wars such as Vietnam or Iraq war can get depressed and violent due to survivor’s guilt, and watching various traumatic events.

4. Who gets it? Soldiers who return from wars such as the Vietnam or Iraq Wars. The soldiers that are there the longest or that have to perform disturbing duties usually suffer from this the most. About 35% of veterans who served in Iraq returned with PTSD.

5. How does stop-loss affect soldiers? PTSD can happen by watching and/or experiencing traumatic events. Many times soldiers are told that their period of service in the war is going to be extended, this is called stop-loss. This can actually traumatize some soldiers because the longer they are in the war the worse the depression becomes.

6. What are the long term effects? Some of these long term effects include: Sleeplessness Vivid scenes or obsessive thoughts Violence Addiction Alienation Suicidal thoughts DEPRESSION

7. How can one get better? There are many types of therapy. Psychotherapy Suicide hotlines The government now offers special long term counseling for war veterans. Veteran-Veteran: Veteran’s understand better than therapists because they have experienced it already. Example: Many veterans from the Vietnam War are being listed as therapists for younger soliders from Iraq. Anger Management

8. Treatments Treatment for PTSD : vary but it usually consists of some form of talk therapy and group therapy plus medication, typically antidepressants or anti anxiety medications. Others don’t get treatment and turn to alcohol, marijuana and valium.

9. If we want to support our troops we need to support them once they return home and we must not overlook those Iraq war veterans who suffer from PTSD.

10. Click to see video.

11. A Real-Life story: From the NY Times 9-6-09: A war veteran, Mr. Van Cott, was in Vietnam over forty years ago. When he returned home, he found that he was often angry, violent, and began having suicidal thoughts. Even though decades had passed by, he realized he was having nightmarish thoughts and insomnia. He decided to begin therapy to counsel himself and have peace with his own thoughts.