Mental Health in Veterans
What is mental Illness: Mental Illness Facts
A person is said to be mentally when he finds it difficult to cope up with even mundane demands of day-to-day living activities and demands. This could be a result of either or a combination of the following: disrupted thinking patterns and, inability to relate to persons around him among other things that are normally easy on effort. The ailments that are of a more serious nature include those like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal inclinations, Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, among other psychosocial behavioral inconsistencies. The latest work on them has found solutions to correct most, if not all of these ailments (NAMI, 2014).
Common Mental Health Issues in Veterans
About a quarter of the populace in the U.S. annually, are supposed to be carrying curable mental health problems, majority of which are associated with symptoms like acute depression and anxiety. As against this statistical enormity, a larger, almost forty percent of those war veterans that separated from the Afghanistan and Iraq war and reported to the health care facilities and services provided for by the VA (Veterans Affairs) are suspected of being afflicted with a minimum of one of the many mental health disorders, like PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in a 2014 communique reveals that depression and PTSD constitute most of the mental health related issues with those separated from the combat zone in the said countries.
Studies and Findings
It is not completely known as to what exactly leads to suicidal tendencies and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is however believed that there are various factors including pre-dominantly those of biological, genetic and early life experiences that their complex interactions that can cause a person to exhibit these tendencies of mental instability in the face of the trauma and war-related incidences. Some of the biological investigations are still trying to investigate at the molecular level the impact of malfunctioning and changes in neuroendocrinal metabolism to cause PTSD. The notable areas of focus are: HPA- hypo-thalamic -- pituitary- adrenal axis, the neurotransmitter systems' functioning that involves GABA (gammaamino butyric acid) dopamine, serotonin, endogenous opioids, and others like noradrenalin and glutamate. These are the thought to contribute to the augmentation of serious depression under traumatic simulation or even suicidal inclinations.
It is not conclusively proved that suicidal tendencies and PTSD are hereditary in nature. PTSD as a result of battles and wars are of the extreme kind raising the likely hood of suicidal intentions. There have always been contrasting views on the implications and effects of BDNF (brain derived neutrophonic factors and secretion of COMT (catechol-o-methyltransferase) towards aggravating as also instigating PTSD and suicidal tendency. McCleod, 2012, has observed that exactly opposite views have been divulged on the relation between the occurrences of PTSD and these polymorphisms.
In spite of the fact that the very high stress levels experienced by the combat weary Veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom are granted a free health services leave, the mental health and PTSD treatment facilities are very basic in nature, if at all. The VA facilities are devoid of special staff and are ill-equipped to handle the statistical enormity and provide data accumulation and maintenance for a proper appropriation of PTSD and psychosocial problems that the veterans so invariably face.
In this study, those veterans brought back from OEF/OIF military operations, that visited the health care facilities operated by VA, were documented for single mental health problems or PTSD or both according to the guidelines as described in the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. The various groups and subgroups' data related to deployment of health facilities are listed for clear demarcation of those at the greatest risk of mental disorders or risks thereof.
Degree of Severity in different Groups/Populations
Over one hundred thousand (precise number: 1, 03,788) veterans were studied at the Health Care Facilities operated by the VA. The socio-demographic break-up found was (as can be seen in the Table 1 below): younger than 30 years of age: 54%; non-active combat (back-up and allied service) National Guards/Reserve forces: about 50%; ethnic minorities: about 30% and women: 13%.
The records of about 47% of them was available regarding their time of separation from service and visiting The VA health care services for the first time. The statistics received revealed that the mean time...
Current status in implementing the affordable care act with regard to veterans' mental health problems The Affordable Care Act's enactment gave rise to major concerns with regard to greater healthcare expenditure and reduced benefits for the defense population. This has led to the VA (Department of Veteran Affairs), the White House and TRICARE authorities expending efforts towards public education. Veteran Affairs believes the Act (popularly called Obamacare) has no effect on
Veterans experience a variety of mental health problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, aggression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia (Wooten, 2015). More specifically, statistics indicate that up to 50% of veterans experience PTSD (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2013). These problems often stem from exposure to combat. Mental health problems among veteran are further compounded by other problems such as financial difficulties, joblessness, marriage problems, social isolation, and homelessness (Smith
Veterans & Retirees; Is Government Keeping its Promise This study aimed at exploring the experiences and perceptions of Veterans belonging to Lousiana and Mississippi about three variables; the accessibility of organization; the accessibility of benefits and availability and adequacy of the facilities being provided by government through VA. The respondents were also asked to suggest whether there is a need for improvement and what should VA do to provide benefits and
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It may be that CBT is the most helpful, but further evidence is needed to prove so. PTSD has recurring ramifications that affect many variables of life from employment opportunities to social and family atmosphere. There are some who never fully recover their mental or physical capacities, aside from those who have been unalterably handicapped for life. Quality of life becomes another factor, as well as debilitating stress on
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