Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Essay Example

Studies allover the globe cites PTSD as a common mental disorder among veterans of war. Moreover, these studies indicate that this disorder has a lifetime prevalence rate of 7% to 12%. In addition, there have been several studies carried out in vulnerable populations. These vulnerable populations include “peacekeepers, combat veterans, Aboriginal populations and terrorist attack survivors.” In the studies of all these populations, there were higher rates of the disorder compared to the rest of the population who are not susceptible.

Moreover, many of the people with a diagnosis of PTSD have a comorbid diagnosis with an additional lifetime mental condition (Sareen et al, 2007). Despite the prevalence of the disorder being high among at-risk populations, these rates vary according to the circumstances surrounding the susceptibility. For example, studies carried out among Vietnam battle veterans demonstrate higher prevalence of PTSD than is found in noncombat veterans or similar nonveterans. Moreover, other studies indicate that the Posttraumatic stress disorder experienced by most of the U.S. veterans, is at least because of battle-related PTSD (Boscarino, 2006).

The development of diagnosis of veterans with combat-related mental disorder dates back in the 1800. During this time, the United States military doctors diagnose soldiers with a condition they called “exhaustion”. . Other signs include being bad-tempered or angry, flashbacks, trying not to bear in mind the incidents that occurred, nightmares and feeling emotionally frozen or isolated from others (Paolillo, 2008). Effects of Posttraumatic stress disorder in the Military In addition, PTSD-positive veterans may be more vulnerable to autoimmune diseases.

Although there could be inconsistency, investigations have found that individuals who developed PTSD, especially men exposed to war, have shown to have lower plasma concurrent with higher catecholamine levels. In addition, studies have clearly shown that Vietnam veterans with current PTSD had clinically raised leukocyte and T-cell counts. In addition, it is evident that there is a relationship between the PTSD development and alterations in immune system functions (Boscarino, 2006). Because of nighttime PTSD symptoms, the patient is likely to experience suicidal ideation, alcohol and drug abuse, and can precipitate completed suicide.

According to clinical studies, the enhanced postsynaptic adrenergic receptor responsiveness to central nervous system (CNS) leads to the pathophysiology of PTSD, especially at night. This on the other hand, interrupts sleep physiology increasing sleep stage phenomena linked with emergence of trauma nightmares and increasing emergence of primitive alarm-related cognitive processing (Raskind et al, 2007). Implications of Posttraumatic stress disorder in the Military There is rising proof that exposure to sensitively shocking incidents among combat veterans’ leads to increased medical morbidity.

In addition, it is evident that there is a direct connection between prolonged exposure to harsh psychological suffering and the commencement of disease. The experience with battle veterans suffering