Women in combat and the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression - Essay Example

"Women in combat and the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression" Studies conceded across the world to associate civilian populations have consistently shown that when compared with men, women have significantly higher prevalence rates of depression and anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women hold important positions in the armed forces including military police, intelligence, as pilots, as physicians, as physiotherapist, for transportation, as mechanics, civil affairs etc.

It is really pitiful that their efforts are undermined and are always treated as less victimized when compared with their male counterparts. They perform small but imperative jobs and their contribution cannot be diluted. Even though women are expelled from allocating in straight combat specialties encompassing infantry or armor, but they do endow with varied support as travelling outside military base, working with the combat soldiers, exposure to fire or victimized under any casualty (Hoge, 2007).

Research findings reveal that there exist a gender difference if veterans are screened for depression, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), pain, obesity etc (Haskell, 2010). Screening of veterans have been performed and it was instituted the prevalence of MST and depression amongst the female veterans. Results disclose that almost 14% of the female veterans were positive for MST while half of the females (48%) were found to be the sufferers of severe depression, indicating that females are at double risk of depression irrespective of cultural or racial milieu or financial standing.

Although results do not divulge the existence of PTSD in females as compared to males. Studies also emphasize that only a few sufferers were categorized as overweight or obese. It indicates that there is likelihood of putting on weight in older individuals as compared to the young population (Haskell, 2010). Findings of Haskell suggests that gender difference persists in the defining the incidence of positive screening results for MST, along with depression, obesity, and PTSD. Although VA claims to evaluate and advance its checks for women veterans; this is to attain the consideration of clinicians who deal with the war victims, researchers, and above all the leaders of the nation to think about pioneering as well as revolutionary methods to make sure that female veterans be given the physical condition as well as services they require as per the VA structure and scheme.

It is essential to bring this to awareness as VHA plans to enhance the female veteran population in the next couple of years. It is desired that the condition of the female veterans be improved and they are given congenial environment to perform their duties efficiently. The motive of the article is to create an awareness and understanding in the minds of civilians towards the female veterans who have been contributing their enormous potentials and still are undermined. Results are enough to support the evidence related with the trauma they face when it comes to war.

References Haskell, S. G., Gordon, K. S., Mattocks, K., Duggal, M., Erdos, J., Justice, A., Brandt, C. A. (2010). Gender Differences in Rates of Depression, PTSD, Pain, Obesity, and Military Sexual Trauma Among Connecticut War Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Journal of Women's Health, 19(2): 267- 271. Hoge, C. W., Clark, J. C., Castro, C. A. (2007). Commentary: Women in combat and the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Journal of Epidemiology, 36(2), 327-329.