Returning Soldiers and PTSD

by Barbara Krasner (Editor)

Overview

One of the most painful and tragic legacies of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has been the trauma suffered by those who served and the far-reaching consequences and after-effects of their scarring combat experiences. This very important volume looks at the issue of returning soldiers PTSD from multiple angles, examining skyrocketing suicide rates; the debates surrounding the quality and accessibility of health care; the nature of and stigmas associated with a PTSD diagnosis; the responsibility that government and society have to care for returning soldiers; how welcoming, protective, and supportive the environment is to which soldiers return; and the steep cost of war to the individual, families, and society at large.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534500914
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing
Publication date:	07/30/2017
Series:	Current Controversies Series
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	15 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Foreword 11

Introduction 14

Chapter 1 Is PTSD Among Returning Solders Widespread?

Overview: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Affects Soldiers Returning Home Celia Simon 19

Yes: PTSD Is Very Common

PTSD Threatens Lives and Challenges Public Health Mohammad S. Jalali 40

Mental Health Professionals Take Veterans' PTSD Seriously Elizabeth Roberts-Pedersen 44

No: PTSD Is Over-Diagnosed

PTSD Has Taken Over America Alice Karekezi 48

PTSD Claims Inspire Skepticism Among Active Military Members Scott Faith 56

Chapter 2 Can a PTSD Diagnosis Be Exploited?

Overview: Exposure to Combat and Physical Assault Leads to PTSD Mayo Clinic Staff 61

Yes: Diagnosing PTSD Is Fraught with Complications

PTSD Needs Better and Consistent Diagnosis Peter Barglow 69

There's No Wrong Way to Respond to Post-Traumatic Stress: National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association 82

Returning Soldiers View PTSD Diagnoses as Self-Fulfilling Doom David Dobbs 91

No: Diagnosing PTSD in Soldiers Is Standard Operating Procedure

Extensive Research Results in New, Effective Diagnosis Guidelines Tori DeAngelis 102

Iraq and Afghan War Vets Reap the Benefits of Technological Advances Wayne Kinney 109

Be Aware of the New Standard for PTSD Diagnosis Matthew J. Friedman 115

Chapter 3 Is PTSD a Valid Mental Health Disorder?

Overview: Literature, History, and the DSM All Document PTSD Marc-Antoine Crocq Louis Crocq 129

Yes: PTSD Is a Real Mental Illness

In Some Cultures, PTSD Is Understood as a Part of War Sebastian Junger 146

Many Different Factors Can Cause PTSD Sally Satel 166

Identifying Psychological Injury Helps Diagnosis and Treatment David Forbes 172

No: PTSD Is a Misdiagnosis and a Misnomer

PTSD Is Not a Mental Illness Denise Williams 176

Pre-Wartime Experiences Contribute to PTSD Morena Lauth-Lebens Gerhard W. Lauth 179

PTSD is Really Just a Political Ploy John Grant 196

Chapter 4 Do Returning Soldiers with PTSD Get the Treatment They Need?

Overview: The VA Faces Challenges with Returning Soldiers' Mental Health Claims Leighton Walter Kille 209

Yes: Returning Soldiers Are Given the Proper Amount of Help

A Carolina Community Provides Resources for Treatment: Charlotte Bridge Home, Foundation for the Carolinas 219

Creative Expression Is Effective in Treating PTSD Joshua Smyth Jeremy Nobel 228

Talking It Out Helps Veterans Deal with PTSD: Goodtherapy.org 248

No: Returning Soldiers With PTSD Are Left in the Lurch

PTSD Treatment Is Barely Adequate Terri Tanielian 257

VA Health Program Falls Short in Providing Care Shefali Luthra 267

Suicide Is a Tragic Outcome of Inadequate PTSD Care Robert Wilbur James L. Knoll, IV 271

Organizations to Contact 278

Bibliography 283

Index 287