PTSD Experience in Society - Essay Example

Although it cannot be understood that all PTSD is defined by or impacted upon by military service, the fact of the matter is that this is where the majority of the disorder within the current society is evidenced.

With regards to the etiological theory that best defines and describes PTSD and why it exists, it is the understanding of this student that this approach is necessarily that of the “conditioning” theory (Meltzer et al, 2012). Although the conditioning theory is incomplete concerning differentiating PTSD from a range of other anxiety-related disorders, it does however uniquely define how the disorder is evidenced within the life of the individual who suffers from it and helps the researcher to understand what needs-based approaches can be engaged to create a positive impact upon their life as a result.

Although there is a range of therapies in existence for PTSD, the fact of the matter is that one of the best approaches, as well as the most effective, is with regards to what is known as cognitive-behavioral therapy. In this way, the individual who utilizes such treatment is interested in “re-wiring” or “re-approaching” the way that they think with regards to key issues (Course Slides, 2013). In such a way, it is possible to relearn an older approach reminiscent of a time in which PTSD did not define the life of the individual or constrain his/her responses to stimuli.

With regards to changing how the medical profession seeks to treat and understand PTSD, it would be the recommendation of this student that the profession seeks to approach PTSD first and foremost from a means of addressing the root causes rather than merely prescribing medication to cover the symptoms. Although it might be easier and quicker to treat the symptoms rather than strike at the root clinical causes of PTSD, seeking to ameliorate these triggers at their very basic level can have a lifetime positive approach with regards to how the individual integrates with such a disorder (Borden et al, 2013).

Similarly, concerning changing how society stigmatizes PTSD, this author would recommend that the stakeholder within society realize that PTSD is very much a real, clinical, and verifiable disorder that has absolutely nothing to do with an “imagined” disorder. All too often, PTSD is incorrectly understood as somehow not legitimate or indicative of an individual that is not courageous enough to face their fears; approaches that are categorically false and uninformed.