Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Military Personnel Analysis

This report delves into the complexities of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among military personnel, examining the factors that contribute to its development and the various approaches to treatment. The study employs a qualitative research methodology, specifically a literature review, to analyze existing research on the topic. It identifies key risk factors, including combat exposure, child abuse, and lack of social support. The report outlines the four classifications of PTSD symptoms: intrusive memories, avoidance symptoms, adverse changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Furthermore, it explores both psychotherapy and pharmacological treatments, such as SSRIs, for managing PTSD. The analysis highlights the significant impact of military deployments and combat experiences on the mental health of veterans, emphasizing the need for awareness and effective interventions.

Running header: PTSD 1
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Name:
Institution:

PTSD 2
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................2
Research Question and Aims...............................................................................................2
Methodology........................................................................................................................3
Qualitative Research........................................................................................................3
Method.............................................................................................................................3
Sampling Strategy............................................................................................................4
Ethical Consideration.......................................................................................................4
Data Management and Analysis......................................................................................4
Findings and Discussion......................................................................................................5
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................7
Bibliography........................................................................................................................8
Appendices........................................................................................................................10

PTSD 3
Introduction
There are no doubts one of the essential factors for the development of a country is stable
security system. Numerous departments and agencies are involved in the security of a country;
however, the military tends to play a critical role since it only protects a country’s border but also
ensures other nations honor any agreement or commitment between the two nations (Zelizer,
2015). As a result, the military personnel tend to experience various challenges, which include
relocation, deployments, separation, limited social support, and work stress (Pianin, 2015).
Despite the veterans considered as warriors of a country the above challenges tend to have
adverse impact on their mind and body hence posing a great risk to their health. Among the
various health risk encountered by the veterans, mental illness is the most common. Mental
health refers to the emotional and psychological well-being of a person (Legg, 2018).
Key Words: PTSD and Veterans
Research Question and Aims
Notably, there as significant relationship between healthy life and good mental health.
However, the number of the adults having diagnosable mental illness tends to increase with time
(Legg, 2018). Consequently, numerous disorders are associated with mental illness, such as
bipolar, social anxiety, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), among others
(Legg, 2018). Among the above disorders, the PTSD is a disorder linked to the exposure or
encounter of traumatic or terrifying events (MAYO CLINIC, 2018). Some of the traumatic
events include; threat, physical assault, war, child labor or abuse, accidents, and sexual violence.
Therefore, the main research question of the study is what are main factors leading to PTSD
incidences among the military personnel?

PTSD 4
Aim and Objectives
Therefore, the following study aims at exhibiting the effects of PTSD on military
personnel. Moreover, the objectives of the study include;
i. Identify the risk factors linked to PTSD
ii. Exposing the clinical signs and symptoms of PTSD
iii. Showcase the various psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment options
applicable for PTSD.
Methodology
There are two primary methods of collecting and interpreting data used in the field of
research, which include the qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Quantitative
research is a technique that utilizes a data set or generates data with and aim of quantifying the
problem of interest through the use of statistics, whereas the qualitative method applies the
humanistic or idealistic techniques to understand the research question or problem (Pathak, Jena,
& Kalra, 2013). Consequently, the qualitative research is further subdivided into three groups,
which include the literature review, interview studies, and observational studies.
Qualitative Research
Among the above methods the study will use the literature review technique to collect
and interpret the data. The technique summarizes an existing or previous study about a similar
topic of interest (Pathak, Jena, & Kalra, 2013). Moreover, it uses the It is secondary sources that
comprise what other researchers have discovered or written about the topic of interest. Generally,
literature review should use adequate, relevant, and updates scholarly works; however, the
method can also incorporate the non-academic sources to showcase a point.

PTSD 5
Method
Therefore, to acquire a pertinent list of publications on mental health the study will use
the PUBMED database. Furthermore, to filter the results from PUBMED database the study will
apply the following filters, peer-reviewed articles, full-text availability, and a maximum of five
years of publication dates. Consequently, the research will use relevant keywords such as
military personnel or veterans, mental health, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Sampling Strategy
As evident, the study used the PUBMED database to retrieve data thus by using the key
terms of the study PTSD and veterans, the search generated 35,730 studies (preliminary
population). The number of studies was reduced to 8793 through activating full text filter.
Consequently, by activating the 8 years publication date filter (2012 to 2020) the studies reduced
to 3930. Furthermore, the incorporation of Clinical trial type of article, and human species the
population reduced to 79 articles. The study used a non-probabilistic method to select 5 articles
that will be incorporated or used in the study.
Ethical Consideration
The most vital component of any successful research is the legal and ethical issues related
to the researcher and respondents (Yip, Han, & Sng, 2016). The research will be guided by three
ethical principles, which include validity and integrity. Validity will ensure the research design
must address specific research questions, whereas integrity will ensure lack of plagiarism in the
information obtained from the articles or external sources.
Data management and analysis
Notably, the articles used in the study will focus on five main points, which include
i. Exposing how deployment and other combat exposure leads to mental illness.

PTSD 6
ii. Exhibit the signs and symptoms of PTSD
iii. Expose the risk factors linked to PTSD.
iv. Showcases the pharmacological treatments of PTSD
v. Expose the psychotherapies used in PTSD.
Findings and Discussion
There are numerous symptoms associated to PTSD whereby a patient may experience
them within a month after the event; however, others tend to exhibit the signs a year after the
occurrence (Sareen, 2014). There are four classifications of PTSD symptoms, which include,
intrusive memories as such upsetting dreams or nightmares and severe emotional distress or
physical reactions. The second group is the avoidance symptoms; for example, trying to avoid
thinking or talking about the event and avoiding places, activities or people (Sareen, 2014). The
other category is the adverse changes in thinking and mood symptoms, which comprises of
negative thoughts about yourself or other people, feeling detached from family and friends, and
lack of interest in activities. The last category is the changes in physical and emotional reactions
whose symptoms comprise of being easily startled or frightened, insomnia, and lack of
concentration.
Despite age, race or ethnicity all people are at risk of experiencing PTSD; however there
are some risk factors that increase the chances to this disorder, which include exposure to intense
or long-lasting trauma, child abuse, having a job that increases the risk of exposure to a traumatic
event such as first respondent and military personnel (Karatzias, et al., 2018). Moreover, lack of
proper support system from family and friends, substance abuse such as drug and other mental
health problems such as anxiety may increase the chances of suffering from PTSD (Karatzias, et
al., 2018).

PTSD 7
Psychotherapy treatment options for PTSD seek to reduce the severity of the symptoms
and improve the quality of life of the patients affected with the disorder. Consequently, there
numerous advantages accrued to psychotherapy, such as enhancing the comorbid physical health
conditions; however, the above benefit is not the specific focus of treatment (Watkins, Sprang, &
Rothbaum, 2018). Notably, the Psychotherapy for PTSD commonly involve the exposure and
cognitive restructuring, which include prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, and eye
movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Moreover, they are often combined with anxiety
management/stress reduction skills focused specifically on alleviating the symptoms of PTSD
The therapeutic goals of pharmacologic therapy are to decrease the hyperarousal and
mood (irritability, anger, depression) symptoms (Koirala, Søegaard, & Thapa, 2017). Notably,
the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is the “strongest” evidence base drug.
However, there are other approved medications for the treatment of PTSD, which include the
sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil). Consequently, the medications prescribed for treating
PTSD symptoms act upon neurotransmitters related to the fear and anxiety circuitry of the brain
including serotonin and norepinephrine (Koirala, Søegaard, & Thapa, 2017). However, these
medications do not entirely eliminate symptoms rather they provide a symptom reduction.
Notably, the military tends to experience high profile traumatic events such as wars in
thus exposing the personnel to a risk of PTSD (Nasveld, et al., 2012). Consequently, the study
shows that there is an increase of PTSD symptoms among the military personnel deployed war
zones or battles compared to those not deployed, hence showing there is a strong relationship
between PTSD and military deployment (Nasveld, et al., 2012). Moreover, military personnel
with combat exposure tend to exhibit PTSD symptoms within a short period after the war.

PTSD 8
Combat exposure refers to witnessing violent death, dead or decomposing bodies, maimed
soldiers, torture, beating, and rape (Nasveld, et al., 2012).
Conclusion
As evident, the military personnel tend to experience various challenges, which include
relocation, deployments, separation, limited social support, and work stress. As a result, the
veterans encountered numerous health risk, such as the mental illnesses. Among the various
illnesses, the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly affects the veterans since it is a
condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing traumatic or terrifying events. It is shown that
the study used the PUBMED database to retrieve data (5 articles). There are four classifications
of PTSD symptoms, which include intrusive memories, avoidance symptoms, adverse changes in
thinking and mood symptoms, and changes in physical and emotional reactions whose
symptoms.
It is exposed that despite all people are at risk of experiencing PTSD some risk factors
that increase the chances to this disorder, which include exposure to intense or long-lasting
trauma and child abuse. There are two treatments options for the disorder, which include the
psychotherapy and pharmacologic therapy. Generally, the main cause of PTSD among the
veterans is the Combat exposure, which include witnessing violent death, dead or decomposing
bodies, maimed soldiers, torture, beating, and rape.

PTSD 9
Bibliography
Karatzias, T., Hyland, P., Bradley, A., Cloitre, M., Roberts, N., Bisson, J., & Shevlin, M. (2018).
Risk factors and comorbidity of ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD: Findings from a trauma-
exposed population based sample of adults in the United Kingdom. Depression and Anxiety
Journal, 887-894.
Koirala, R., Søegaard, E., & Thapa, S. (2017). Updates on Pharmacological Treatment of Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Nepal Medical Association, 274-280.
Legg, T. J. (2018, September 19). Mental Health Basics: Types of Mental Illness, Diagnosis,
Treatment, and More. Retrieved from Healthline Web site:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health
MAYO CLINIC. (2018, July 6). Retrieved from MAYO CLINIC Web Site:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-
causes/syc-20355967
Nasveld, P., Cotea, C., Pullman, S., & Pietrzak , E. (2012). Effects of deployment on mental
health in modern military forces: A review of longitudinal studies. Journal of Military and
Veterans' Health, 20.

PTSD 10
Pathak, V., Jena, B., & Kalra, S. (2013). Qualitative research. Perspective in Clinical Research
Journal, 192. doi:0.4103/2229-3485.115389
Pianin, E. (2015, November 3). The Top 5 Problems Facing U.S. Military Families. Retrieved
from The fiscal times Website: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/11/03/Top-5-Problems-
Facing-US-Military-Families
Sareen, J. (2014). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adults: Impact, Comorbidity, Risk Factors,
and Treatment. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 460-467.
Watkins, L., Sprang, K., & Rothbaum, B. (2018). Treating PTSD: A Review of Evidence-Based
Psychotherapy Interventions. Frontiers Behavioral NeuroScience Journal, 258-270.
doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258
Yip, C., Han, N.-L. R., & Sng, L. B. (2016). Legal and ethical issues in research. Indian Journal
of Anaesthesia, 684-688.
Zelizer, C. (2015, June 6). WHAT IS THE ROLE OF MILITARY IN DEVELOPMENT? Retrieved
from PCD network: https://pcdnetwork.org/resources/what-is-the-role-of-military-in-
development-2/
Appendices
Appendix 1: Glossary
PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disease

PTSD 11
Appendix 2: Brief Summary of the articles
a) Risk factors and comorbidity of ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD
The above article by Karatzias, et al., (2018) shows that depsite all persons at a risk to
experiencing PTSD there factors that contribute to PTSD, which include combat
exposure, long-lasting trauma, child abuse.
b) Updates on Pharmacological Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The article by Koirala, Søegaard, & Thapa (2017) provides various pharmacological
therapies used in treating PTSD, they include the selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil).
c) Effects of deployment on mental health in modern military forces
The article by Nasveld, et al., (2012) exhibits how deployment and other experinces
such as combat exposure (witnessing violent death, dead or decomposing bodies,
maimed soldiers, torture, beating, and rape) may lead to PTSD.
d) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adults: Impact, Comorbidity, Risk Factors, and
Treatment.
The article by Sareen, (2014) explains the four categories of PTSD symptoms, which
include intrusive memories, avoidance symptoms, adverse changes in thinking and
mood symptoms, and changes in physical and emotional reactions whose symptoms.
e) A Review of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Intervention
The article by Watkins, Sprang, & Rothbaum (2018) provides various psycotherapy
interventions used in treating PTSD, which involve the exposure and cognitive
restructuring, such as prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, and eye
movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.