Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Military - 5865 Words

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This paper analyzes the cost/benefit of long-term care of Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and the constraints the Department of Veterans Affairs faces in trying to meet the needs of these Soldiers. This paper uses data collected from government sources like the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Benefit Administration. The conclusions of the analysis are that: (a) The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is already overwhelmed by the number of patients it currently sees and the addition of these new Veteran’s seeking care will put a severe strain on the resources that are currently available; (b) The Veterans Benefit Association (VBA) is in need of restructuring to be able to handle†¦show more content†¦These events, not only put the individual at risk, but their family as well. While many soldiers are receiving help with their disorder, for some, the help comes too late and they are unable to cope or continue with their life. Since comba t operations began in March 2003, 45 soldiers have killed themselves in Iraq, and an additional two dozen have committed suicide after returning home, the Army has confirmed. (Mclemore, 2005). While these numbers are staggering some experts feel that the worst is yet to come. The problem for some is that they either do not know there is a problem or do not want anyone to know that they have a problem. The Army has recently begun screening of personnel that have recently returned from a deployment but that still does not help the thousands who have returned in previous years. According to Veterans Affairs (VA) data, 9,600 of the 360,000 soldiers discharged after fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan have received a provisional diagnosis of PTSD. (Mclemore, 2005). Problem Statement Many soldiers are returning to Iraq and Afghanistan with mental illness and given anti-depressants to help with their problems. A 2004 Army report found that up to 17 percent of combat-seasoned infantrymen experienced major depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder after one combat tour to Iraq. Less than 40 percent of them had soughtShow MoreRelatedHow Does Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Affects Our Nation s Military?1794 Words   |  8 Pages How does Post-traumatic stress disorder affect our nation’s military? The United States has many people living among one another all with a different kind of mentality. Varying from a weak to strong mind depending on life events and how they have managed to deal with them. For most the way they react to their surroundings can seem like an easy task but for others it can be the hardest and most difficult of tasks. 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