Many people are concerned about the U.S. military because of how many risks come with joining it. However, the U.S. military also explains the benefits that one could receive. Joining the military is a decision that should not be taken lightly. One must understand all aspects of the military. In order for a voter to be fully informed about joining the US military, one must consider both the risks, like mental illnesses and commitment and benefits, like education, and experience.
1. Risks of Joining the Military:
Mental Illnesses
Suffering from a mental illness is a common effect of joining the military that many people aren’t fully aware of. Specific mental illnesses one can suffer from are Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and
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PTSD, depression, and the lack of treatment should all be taken into consideration when thinking about the military. Depression in soldiers can be caused by the length of deployment because they don’t see their families or friends for months.
Commitment
Being in the military takes dedication as well as devotion because it is a big commitment that one must follow through with. Rod Powers, a writer, states, “Before you join, recognize the fact that a stint in the military is not civilian employment. It's not just like having a regular job. You can't just get up and quit anytime you want to" (Powers). One must be patient because this is a responsibility Powers also states, “Along with not being able to quit, there is also the factor of being deployed for months. Soldiers may find themselves spending up to seven months out of every year deployed” (Powers). A soldier must be able to handle being separated from family and friends for a good amount of time. This separation can cause stress and anxiety between soldiers and their families. Bruce Bell, a psychiatrist, and Walter Schumm, an author, clarify that, "Returning from deployment can sometimes be stressful and disappointing" (Bell and Schumm). Soldiers can return home to problems concerning money, children, spouses, or other relatives. In addition to stress, soldiers and families also get anxious. Bell and Schumm also mention that, “Unpredictable timing can
Wounds acquired during war and combat go way further than one can naturally see. Dr. Stephen Hunt, a …., says, “Folks returning from combat have a constellation of health concerns, including physical issues, psychological issues and psychosocial issues concerning things like work and family..” (….) which explains that veterans face a multitude of health effects and not just a physical injury. Provided that PTSD, mental illness, has been discussed in recent time, however other mental illness that military personnel acquire aren’t so known. Many of the categories in which classify as not adressed are mental illness all ranging from emotional and mental stability, but some also deal with the pain and illness unique to their
The time away from your family is very difficult. Military life is very hard sometimes it requires long hours, and you could find yourself in dangerous places around the world.
The main problem discovered is military members are experiencing psychological problems from stressors due to deployments and not seeking help for their discomforts. Many of the military members returning
When working with service members and assessing them for diagnosis, it is important to have an understanding of the diagnosis and the impact it has on the military population. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common mental health diagnosis veterans may develop after experiencing trauma. PTSD can occur after an individual has been through a traumatic event, such as combat exposure, terrorist attack, sexual or physical assault, or serious accidents. According to The Department of Veteran Affairs, “About 11-20 out of every 100 Veterans (or between 11-20%) who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Enduring Freedom (OEF) have PTSD in a given year” (2015).
After researching my question carefully and thoroughly, I learned a few things about the effects of war on American soldiers who sacrifice everything for their country. I learned that not only do soldiers get trauma during war, but also a disease called Hysteria. This disease has symptoms that make it more challenging for soldiers in times of war, which include depression, anxiety, mental retardation, and alcoholism. This disease also creates physical injuries in the head and nervous system. It is “one of the more challenging disorders that doctors faced” (G. Thomas 21), because “it was difficult to distinguish from other illnesses” (G. Thomas 21). Doctors work in psychiatric centers during war to better understand the symptoms and effects that American soldiers receive before and during war. This means that Hysteria is a big and disastrous disease that causes a major impact on soldiers during wartime.
While the total numbers of soldiers deployed to OEF/OIF/OND continues to mount, an estimated 2.5 million have served as of May 2014. Coined the “Invisible Wounds of War,” 300,000 troops suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Depression, and Suicide.2 These are only documented cases, of the recorded injuries, 50% do not seek treatment and consequently lead to criminal acts and prison.
Hoge, Auchterllonie and Miliken (2006) estimated mental health problems among troops returning from Iraq at around 30%, 7% suffering from depression, 7.5% suffering from anxiety disorders, and 12% suffering from PTSD. Kessler, Chiu, Demler, and Walters (2005) estimated 26% of American adults suffer from mental disorders, 6.7% suffering from depression, 18% suffering from a type of anxiety order and approximately 25% suffering from PTSD.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is an important issue associated with military soldiers. There are many causes of PTSD and the effects it has on returning soldiers from the wars. PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by a person’s exposure to live minatory, or otherwise traumatic conditions and someone with PTSD is continually living in fear of the worst. PTSD affects not only the rest of his/her life, but others close to him/her as well, and can break down a veterans' relationship with family and friends. The most symptoms include an emotional numbness, anxiety, feelings of guilt and depression that might turn chronic veterans may experience functional impairment. The most prevalent mental health disorders for veterans returning from the wars.
MacGregor, A. J., Han, P. P., Dougherty, A. L., & Galarneau, M. R. (2012). Effect of Dwell Time on the Mental Health of US Military Personnel With Multiple Combat Tours. American Journal Of Public Health, 102(S1), A55-A59. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300341. Retrieved from EBSCO; key words: improving stress in US military
most common mental health issue that troops face when they return from war. PTSD can only
When a person is raped or assaulted in the United States Military, the effects thereafter are critical, parlous and grievous. After a woman or a man is raped or assaulted, they may undergo depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and stress. Individuals can also begin experiencing eating disorders and many may commit suicide. The principal issues in the United States Military are not just in the procedures of reporting rapes and viewing the assaults as a inconsiderable incident, but in what the present military credo, ideology and philosophy is.
A soldier can develop and show signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder that may cause behavioral changes and can wreak havoc with the body’s defense system. A soldier can develop both short-term and long-term behavioral/psychological problems because of PTSD. A soldier can have any one of the following problems; stomach upset, chest pain, breathing difficulties, frequent headaches, and night sweats. Along with weight gain, frequent constipation,
Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common among children with a deployed military parent. Adolescents of military parents are facing adverse emotional and behavioral disorders as a consequence of a parent’s deployment. According to a retrospective cohort study, stress disorders increase by 18% and behavioral disorders increase by 19% among children who have a deployed military parent. This study, which was performed by cross-referencing the records of children of active-duty personnel with their parents’ deployment records, additionally found that mental and behavioral health visits were increased by 11% amid children with a deployed parent (Gorman, Eide, & Hisle-Gorman, 2010). Moreover, children of caregivers with poorer mental health are at an elevated risk of having poorer mental health themselves (House, Committee on Armed Services, United States, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, & Congress, 2010). For children who sacrifice so much to support their service
Military members will seek mental health care from military providers for psychological disorders. “Since October 2001, approximately 1.64 million United States troops have been deployed to support Operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.”1 Returning home from a deployment comes with its own set of challenges but a psychological disorder is a wound that cannot be seen from the outside and needs just as much care and treatment as a physical injury. The military offers several options in an effort to assist or mitigate these conditions through a mental health provider. This paper will cover the pros and cons of receiving treatment from a behavior health medicine military doctor as well as justify why military members will get help from military providers.
The stress that a soldier faces when they leave the military can be overwhelming. Most soldiers enlist out of high school or College. They go from living with their parents to living within the fortress of military institutions. They are given everything that they need while they are in the service. They learn to live a certain type of life. This life is organized and there is little that the servicemen need to figure out for themselves. They have everything that they can ever need right on the base where they live. Then after years of service, they are retired or they do not reenlist. Now this is where their stress begins. They are faced with now finding