Due to the high tension and traumatic environment in which active military combatants serve, veterans are significantly at risk of developing some physical injuries and psychological health difficulties. The following are some of the common mental (psychological) health difficulties that tend to affect military personnel:

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

PTSD IN VETERANS

Post-traumatic stress Disorder (PTSD) is a form of anxiety that develops after an individual is exposed to an extremely traumatic or overwhelming life experience. Generally, after experiencing a stressful event, the human body tends to return to baseline levels, but for the people with PTSD, their body continues to release stress-related hormones especially Cortisol and Adrenaline . Though traumatic incident(s) must occur for a person to develop PTSD, not all traumatic experiences result in posttraumatic stress. Only a small percentage of people who go through trauma end up developing PTSD. 

Studies showed that military personnel are at higher risk for developing post-traumatic stress because service members are intimately involved in wartime incidents that may be frightening, and at times, life-threatening.  PTSD may occur as a result of one incidence or series of incidences such as participating in combat, experiencing sexual abuse, or having a car accident. One emotionally overwhelming incident may be enough for PTSD to develop, and combat environment is shown to expose veterans to prolonged and repeated traumatic events.



Post-traumatic stress Disorder is characterized by four basic types of symptoms which would have lasted for six moths or more:

1. Reliving the event

• Repeatedly experiencing the event in flashbacks
• Having intrusive, repeated, and upsetting memories of the event
• Regularly having nightmares about the event
• Having intense and discomforting reactions to objects or situations that remind you of the event

2. Avoidance

• Staying away from people, places, or even thoughts that remind you of the event
• Emotional numbness
• Feelings of detachment
• Memory problems
• Loss of interest in everyday activities
• Being emotionally guarded
• Feelings of hopelessness

3. Hyperarousal

• Constantly scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger
• Problems concentrating
• Increased irritability
• Being easily startled
• Erratic sleep patterns

4. Negative thoughts, moods, or feelings

• Feeling guilty about the event
• Criticizing or blaming other individuals for the event
• Loss of interest in activities and people

THERAPY FOR  VETERANS

The management of the Veteran's physical and psychological problems is often a multi-disciplinary effort. This may take place in various settings: short-term inpatient care, outpatient care in a psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery center, or residential care. Many of the veterans with mental health difficulties of PTSD may require medications such as antidepressant, anti-anxiety, and mood-stabilizing  prescribed by their GP or psychiatrist. These medications help to bring under control many of the symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduce irritability, improve sleep patterns, and help to ease nightmares or intrusive thoughts.

Psychotherapy is highly recommended as either a stand-alone or as combined -therapy with medication. Therapy helps the Veterans to deal with the underlying causes of the mental health difficulties.

In FCC Clinics  we provide specialist therapy using therapeutic approaches such as:

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy,
2.  Acceptance Commitment therapy (ACT),
3. Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) 

SUPPORT AND THERAPY FOR MILITARY FAMILIES

• Military life and deployment can take a toll on each member in the family system. Children and teenagers may become irritable or rebellious, and the parent at home may have to cope with the increased burden of caring for the family alone on a daily basis. Deployment can lead family members to feel anxious, alone, or unsupported.
• Military families also have to face the possibility that the deployed family member may return seriously injured or may not return at all. A family who is out of touch with extended family members or the military community may be more likely to experience increased stress during this period. 
• While happiness and relief may often be experienced when a deployed family member returns home, initial joy might give way to feelings of frustration as issues associated with reintegration arise. The returning parent may have experienced personality changes or developed mental or physical heath difficulties, children may have been born or reached a different stage of development, and marital bonds may have weakened. The need to readjust to new roles within the family system may lead to increased tension between family members. 

At FCC Clinics,

• We provide Family therapy to help parents explain the deployment process to young children and the other family members.
• We also provide therapy to help returning veterans and their family members go through the reintegration process.

UNUSED RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO VETERANS

Of all veterans who have a mental health concern, studies showed that about 60% of them do not seek assistance from a mental health professional. Studies also indicated that approximately 70% of veterans with post-traumatic stress or depression do not seek help.

Surveys conducted among veterans experiencing mental health challenges have highlighted the following as some of the reasons for the under-utilization of available resources:

• Fear of being stigmatised within the military community
• Fear of confronting trauma
• Constrained access to care (due to location or wait time)
• Belief that friends and family are able to provide all needed care
• Lack of knowledge of available mental health resources
• Lack of knowledge in how to access available mental health care

If you are experiencing any of the issues discussed here or others, please contact us and we will book you for therapy within 3 working days.