National Guard in Combat Operations: Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Essay Example

?RUNNING HEAD: National Guard in Combat Operations National Guard in Combat Operations: Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder BY YOU YOUR SCHOOL INFO HERE DATE HERE Abstract The National Guard maintains many of the same duties required of active duty servicemen and servicewomen, however their adjustment upon return from deployment varies significantly. National Guard members are called upon to manage complex operational duties much like their active duty counterparts, however they often perform their duties as individuals without the camaraderie and support often found with active duty servicepersons. Combat situations, regardless of the variety of service being performed for the U.S., maintain significant psychological outcomes that leave lingering negative effects. One of these is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which is characterized by significant dysfunctional responses post-combat. This paper describes PTSD and its potential with National Guard servicepersons. National Guard in Combat Operations: Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Statistics and Defining PTSD Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological construct that involves dysfunctional reactions at the emotional level that are generally long-lasting without significant counseling or psychotherapy. It is a form of anxiety disorder that occurs as a direct response to a specific traumatic experience. “It haunts its victims with terrifying memories, nightmares, flashbacks, night terrors and panic attacks” (Li, Chen, Liu & Zhang, 2006, p.432). The level of PTSD experienced by individuals who have been witness to traumatic situations varies depending on the resiliency of the individual and the level or impact of trauma experienced. However, the lingering effects include detrimental relationships with family members or an inability to function properly in society. Especially for those serving in combat situations, post-traumatic stress disorder is a genuine phenomenon that is experienced by a significant volume of active duty combatants and those in the National Guard. The Office of the US Army Surgeon General reports that National Guard troops are even more prone to experiencing PTSD after deployment. Statistics indicate that those who have been involved in combat operations, in reference to active duty servicepeople, 11.9 percent experience mental health conditions after combat operations (Kline, Falca-Dodson, Sussner, Ciccone, Chandler, Callahan & Losonczy, 2010). National Guard troops, however, experience mental health conditions at a rate of 35.5 percent within six months of combat-related deployment (Kline, et al). This is significant considering that the level of National Guard members’ deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2001 and 2007 was only 21 percent in comparison. Between these years, there were 254,894 National Guard troops in these Middle Eastern countries while, in comparison, there were 1,193,234 active duty combatants in Iraq and Afghanistan (Waterhouse & O’Bryant, 2008). This means that over 90,000 National Guard troops, in this region alone, should be expected to develop some form of mental health crisis, including elements of post-traumatic stress disorder. A report issued by the Department of Mental Health Task Force identified that an astounding 49 percent of National Guard members experienced mental health issues during their combat experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan (Dees, 2008). Active duty soldiers and Marines servicemen experienced mental health crises in much less volume, likely due to the differing and more intensive level of psychological training endured by long-term, active duty servicepersons. However, these statistics again reinforce the importance of complicated mental health crises such as PTSD for National Guard members. Significance to National Guard Individuals serving in the National Guard face many of the same combat scenarios as their active duty counterparts, thus they are not isolated from grotesque or frightening images as part of their service activity. There is no evidence that National Guard members are segregated from serving in combat scenarios, thus the stresses imposed on these individuals can be categorized similarly to their active duty comrades. However, there is a significant difference between the lifestyles of the active-component servicepersons and National Guard members in relation to the level of support provided during their deployment in a harsh and difficult environment. Levin (2011) identifies that active duty servicepersons are deployed within a unit structure, receive care at military-sponsored health facilities, and also tend to live on or near military bases. What this provides is a more efficient psychological support system and high-dollar treatment when it has been determined that counseling or psychotherapy is required. These bases are equipped with the tools and resources necessary to help active duty servicepersons cope with their environment, thus reducing the volume of mental health crises. At the same time, the care and compassionate support provided by other active duty comrades increases the likelihood that they can adjust properly in the midst of combat operations. National Guard troops, however, are usually deployed as individuals and do not have the routine support network provided to their active duty companions (Levin). Most psychological theory indicates that in order to be a well-adjusted person in general society, it is necessary to establish a sense of belonging that is borne through a sound social network. Abraham Maslow, a 20th Century theorist, identified what is referred to as the Hierarchy of Needs that indicates a need for security and social belonging in order to develop higher-functioning skills such as self-esteem development (Morris & Maisto, 2005). Belonging refers to the level of inclusion and support granted from important social networks, something that is lacking with National Guard members that have been deployed to participate in combat scenarios, at least to the same level provided by active duty troops in all branches of military systems. Can PTSD, then, be eliminated through social networking and better military health facilities designed to offer psychological support? This question is unsure and would require further research with a focus specifically on combat operations with direct observation of National Guard members versus active duty troops during their lives on military bases within combat environments. However, it should be noted that those who do experience some level of post-traumatic stress disorder tend to withdraw from society and revert from basic family responsibilities upon their return from combat operations (Morris & Maisto). Therefore, acting as a positive reinforcer, the social networks provided to active duty servicepersons can act as a preventative source of support that should also be provided to National Guard members considering the instances of PTSD are significantly higher in this service group. Nearly 50 percent of those who have served in combat situations, regardless of their branch or structure of service, experience clinical depression. An alarming 30 percent actually require psychiatric incapacitation in reaction to observing or participating in combat scenarios (Morris & Maisto). These statistics serve to reinforce that the variety of mental health crises experienced in combat operations are widely diverse and, at the functional level, unique and difficult to quantify. What is the Difference in Service? Upon return from combat operations, there is a significant difference in how National Guard members are reintegrating into society compared to active duty members. National Guard members are usually rapidly transitioned back to their civilian lives as they return to their previous family obligations and job environments (Levin). Therefore, they are not given adequate time to be acclimated to a civilian lifestyle before resuming normal functioning lifestyles and responsibilities. This, for many reasons, is why the National Guard members who have are experiencing PTSD have difficulty with serving the family structure or sustaining their job in the same fashion as before their combat deployment. Upon returning to civilian life, National Guard members are also denied government-sponsored health care and must seek health services from their local communities (Levin). These community-based health care facilities are not as sufficiently equipped with knowledge on treatment of PTSD-related symptoms, thus National Guard troops usually receive inferior care. Active duty servicepersons, however, have more time to adjust to their return to normal lifestyle and maintain the quality and high-dollar care available even after their tour of duty is completed. Their families, typically, will identify themselves as military families and seek to provide the quality and, as identified by the literature, necessary support to help active duty servicepersons adjust to their normal obligations and family structure. In the military, even family members are provided with knowledge and literature about the dangers and expectations that might occur psychologically upon return from combat and are therefore better equipped to manage PTSD-related symptoms and champion a sense of belonging. Conclusion The high instances of post-traumatic stress disorder for National Guard members should serve as a wake-up call for the military in relation to providing sufficient mental health care for these combat-deployed members. For active duty servicepersons, only 27.2 percent experience PTSD symptoms and this is after three or four deployments in combat scenarios, compared to only 11.9 percent with just one deployment. Comparatively, those in active duty with multiple deployments still do not exceed the higher volume of PTSD instances in National Guard members. Even though National Guard members receive adequate training prior to deployment in combat situations and are prepared for their role in combat operations, the literature seems to suggest it is a lack of social support networks and preventative mental health care that acts as the catalyst for developing severe mental disorders. Future researchers should investigate the potential of providing government-sponsored preventative mental health care to National Guard members in order to reduce these statistics. References Dees, Bob. (2008). “Spiritual Solutions for Combat Trauma”, US Army. Retrieved June 13, 2011 from http://www.militaryministry.org/wp-content/uploads/spiritual-solutions-for-combat-trauma.pdf Kline, A., Falca-Dodson, M. Sussner, B., Ciccone, D., Chandler, H., Callahan, L. & Losonczy, M. (2010). “Effects of Repeated Deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on the Health of New Jersey Army National Guard Troops: Implications for Military Readiness”, American Journal of Public Health. 110(2), pp.276-283. Retrieved June 13, 2011 from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/716548 Levin, Aaron. (2011). “IOM Investigates Effectiveness of Current PTSD Treatments”, Psychiatric News. 46(11), pp.4-25. Li, L., Chen, S., Liu, J., Zhang, J. (2006). “Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study of Deficits in Hippocampal Structure in Fire Victims with Recent-Onset Post-traumatic Stress Disorder”, Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 51(7), pp.431-438. Morris, C.G. & Maisto, A.A. (2005). Psychology: An Introduction, 12th ed. Pearson Prentice Hall. Waterhouse, M. & O’Bryant, J. (2008). “National Guard Personnel and Deployments: Fact Sheet”, CRS Report for Congress, p.5. Retrieved June 14, 2011 from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RS22451.pdf Read More