How can Military Soldiers and Their Dependents overcome Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Introduction

          Growing up, the only lifestyle that I know is the army life. We have traveled in lived in many places. I have been to multiple schools, and met a great amount of other friends and foes. I have faced separation from my parents and extended family. The only memorable time out of all my experiences is the places and sites my family and I have gotten the opportunity to see. There are times I feel I cannot take the stress and extra responsibility added to my life of being the oldest of three children when my father is away; it is this army life that has made me into the strong and dependable person I am today.

       When civilians see or think or military families they know that they sacrifice a lot for our country. Yet some think our lives are all great due to benefits and pay; however we go through much more then society realizes. Being an army brat for as long as I can remember has me drained from all the moving and deployments. Growing up my father was an energetic, playful, family oriented guy. After his four back to back deployments he is not the same person I knew five years ago. 

            With all the country's military engagements around the world, post-traumatic stress disorder is becoming a major problem in the ranks (Ashbrook 2011). The military men and women have faced ruthless combat stress, which has lingering effects after their return home. With two major wars and more than eight years of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. military and their families feel the burden because everyone is affected. Now there are more resources for the families, but is that enough?

            During this research, I will be presenting discussions based in part on four articles retrieved from the college databases. Sometimes I will support the database information with discussions from military websites to help me develop a solution to improve my household problems: that is having a returned soldier, my father, with symptoms of PTSD.  Of course, there are other returning soldiers, who are going through the same similar situations.

Ashbrook, T.  (2011, June 30). PTSD and military families. On Point. 30 June 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2012, from http://onpoint.wbur.org/2011/06/30/ptsd-and-military-spouses.