How Much is Too Much?

In going back to my first posting . . . how the effects of 9/11 affected us in one short moment but has left an everlasting pain in our hearts, our souls and in our country. In 2010, these horrific memories are still alive in us…nine years later. In nine years since 9/11 happened, we have gone to war with Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are still at war with Iraq and diminishing the supply of soldiers that we have. Having to recycle our soldiers, some of them are now going into war with Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom as well.

You can imagine the continual involvement in war torn territories that a soldier is confronted with. Being redeployed multiple times, physical injury, if any, the constant and continual confrontations of violence still exist.

Based on statistics for Operation Iraqi Freedom, the human cost has been high.

- Killed in action since March 2007 – 3,190 for all branches

- Killed in action, non-hostile, 596

- Civilians killed in action for just being over there, women, infants and children, 58,476 to 655,000!

For the soldiers that have not been physically injured, what has happened to them mentally? They go back to their military bases, mentally anguished and not the same. Are these soldiers getting the help they need . . . before it is too late?

This soldier ended his own life shortly after saving this child.

This soldier we don’t know enough about.

My final note: Are there more soldiers out there that need our help?

 Medic in famous photo dies after PTSD struggle. Retrieved December 18, 2010, from the World Wide Web: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/07/military_suicidedwyer_070308w/

Retrieved December 18, 2010, from the World Wide Web: http://ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/overview-mental-health-effects.asp

Retrieved December 18, 2010, from the World Wide Web: http://www.ptsdcombat.com/documents/ptsdcombat_war-list_oef-oif-statistics.pdf




What increases the risk of PTSD in service members?

In observation of what my son went through with his own personal life, the list below offers a lot of similarities in what else he can be dealing with, or other soldiers for that fact that need to be counseled on.  Research has found that certain factors make it more likely that OEF/OIF (Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom) service members will develop PTSD. These factors include:

Longer deployment time:  My son had 3 tours in Iraq, lasting over 3 years:

Severe combat exposure, such as deployment to areas close to the enemy - My son had to retrieve vehicles that were blown up by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and/or seeing others wounded or killed.

Physical injury – He now needs back surgery and knee replacement surgery

Low morale and poor social support within the unit – Psychological differences and lack of support from fellow soldiers.

Family problems – marital issues; going through a divorce

Hispanic ethnic group – Puerto Rican

Other stressors that soldiers may develop but do NOT want to discuss or open up too, causing PTSD in service members:

Combat Stressors		Seeing dead bodies	Being shot at	Being attacked/ ambushed	Receiving rocket or mortar fire	Know someone killed/ seriously injured
Iraq	Army	95%	93%	89%	86%	86%
Iraq	Marines	94%	97%	95%	92%	87%
Afghanistan	Army	39%	66%	58%	84%	43%

Mental health effects of serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. (n.d.). United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved December 16, 2010 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/overview-mental-health-effects.asp

Symptoms and Flashbacks

THIS is a great feeling - a feeling of peace having my son in the U.S for good.  The treatment for his PTSD is in progress. Steven is going through counseling on a daily basis.  With medications to help him concentrate during the day and for sleeping, he is able to adjust better to everyday situations.  He has had some sleep problems in the past, always being “on guard” and not being able to relax at night.  This is slowly changing for the better.

In researching the Journal of Counseling & Development, PTSD is considered one of the "signature injuries" of combat soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. This disorder can greatly affect the functioning of soldiers, yet the disorder often goes undetected or is misdiagnosed by both military and civilian health care providers.  Not every soldier returns to the United States with PTSD or difficulty with anger or aggressiveness, but for the small part that do return with difficulty, the help is truly needed.

PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks, avoiding reminders of something that really bad happened, were not consistently connected to aggressiveness but a great concern.  Instead, we find that post-deployment anger and hostility are associated with PTSD hyper-arousal symptoms:

• Having a difficult time falling or staying asleep.
• Feeling more irritable or having outbursts of anger.
• Having difficulty concentrating.
• Feeling constantly "on guard" or like danger is lurking around every corner.
• Being "jumpy" or easily startled.

Chart. (2012, Summer).  Journal of Counseling & Development. Vol. 88 Issue 3, p372-376, 5p, 1 Chart. Retrieved November 14, 2010 from the ERIC database.

Buggey, T. (2007, Summer). Storyboard for Ivan's morning routine. Diagram. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 9(3), 151. Retrieved December 14, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database.

Counseling

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are the longest combat operations since Vietnam. After more than 9 years, my son is officially out of the U.S. Army. 

With three full tours in Iraq, equaling 3 years and 3 months, my son is home now, with a full medical discharge and many sessions of counseling that have already been started.  As to how long his counseling will be, it is all based on how he progresses.

When my son came home from his first tour in Iraq, he reassured me all was “OK”.  He seemed “normal”, no complaining.  He spoke highly of the civilians and how the Iraqi’s wanted our help to protect their families.  My son did not speak much about what happened in Iraq.  He had a security clearance, so I did not question much about what went on there.

The second tour was a different story.  He would get short and angry when he called.  I could not ask many questions.  As time went on, the anger, the impatience, the negative behavior became more noticeable until help was finally on its way – after tour three.

Clinicians identify the pattern: the anger, the alcohol, and the fear of emotion (Roger, 2008).  In this  study, the psychologists try to overcome some of these issues by using virtual reality exposure therapy on the soldiers, over time, by simulating a military convoy in Iraq as a treatment. By this they can identify their symptoms, their behaviors and work with each soldier individually.  

Reger, G. M. (2008, August Issue 8). Virtual reality exposure therapy for active duty soldiers. Journal of Clinical Psychology, pp. 940-946.

Introduction

The purpose of my blog is to reach out to others to really and truly understand the ramifications and/or consequences of serving in the military to serve and protect our country.  I am not against our soldiers protecting the United States of America.  For the military to serve and protect, this has become a real question in the recent media.  Every day, soldiers will join various military branches.  They will become full trained, armed and ready to serve and protect The United States of America.

My youngest son proudly joined the United States Army, graduating boot camp the Saturday before 9/11/01.  As we all know, the days that followed were filled with horror and memories that will never go away.  Nine years later, 2010, proud soldiers, both men and women, along with my son, are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD.

It took a while for my son to get officially out.  With all the red tape and with two wars going on, the War in Iraq, also known as Operation Iraqi Freedom and the War in Afghanistan, also known as Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), we are wearing our soldiers thin.  It is when the circumstances, due to the length of time in a war-torn territory or in some cases two war-torn territories, that the military needs to re-evaluate how much is too much for our soldiers, our families, and our nation.  Military commanders have to decide who will get medical attention and who will have to wait.