11 Facts About the Mental Health of Our Troops

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1. Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (aka PTSD, an anxiety disorder that follows experiencing a traumatic event) are the most common mental health problems faced by returning troops.
2. The most common symptoms of PTSD include: difficulty concentrating, lack of interest/apathy, feelings of detachment, loss of appetite, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, and sleep disturbances (lack of sleep, oversleeping.
3. Post-traumatic stress disorder is diagnosed after several weeks of continued symptoms.
4. In about 11 to 20% of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom) have been diagnosed with PTSD. Create a support board so your friends can show leave messages of encouragement for troops suffering from PTSD and other illnesses. Sign up for Support Board.
5. 30% of soldiers develop mental problems within 3 to 4 months of being home.

6. 55% of women and 38% of men report being victim to sexual harassment while serving in the military
7. Because there are more men than women in the military, more than half of all veterans experiencing military sexual trauma (MST) are men.
8. An estimated 20% of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans turn to heavy drinking or drugs once they return to the US.
9. Between 10 and 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Possible consequences of this internal injury include anger, suicidal thoughts, and changes in personality.
10. In 2010, an average of 22 veterans committed suicide every day. The group with the highest number of suicides was men ages 50 to 59.
11. Some groups of people, including African-Americans and Hispanics, may be more likely than whites to develop PTSD.

Source:https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-mental-health-our-troops 

Ten soldiers suing over malaria drug

At least 10 Irish soldiers who served in Chad and the Central African Republic are taking legal action over claims they developed serious side-effects as a consequence of taking the anti-malaria drug Lariam including depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies and paranoia.

The Department of Defence has set aside more than €6m this year to deal with compensation claims from serving and former members of the Defence Forces in relation to Lariam and other accidents and mishaps, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

In the Dail, Defence Minister Alan Shatter confirmed that legal proceedings had begun in four claims against the Army over the use of the controversial drug. However, the Sunday Independent has learned that at least another six cases are in the pipeline.
Some of the soldiers in the process of initiating claims and who have reported suicidal thoughts are currently receiving counselling while others are being treated with anti-depressant medication, according to solicitor Killian Carty who is representing a number of the soldiers.

He told the Sunday Independent: "This is not an army deafness scenario or anything like it but there are a small number of soldiers who are affected. All were working in the malaria zone and all were given the anti-malarial drug Lariam. Most had done a number of tours overseas. As far as we can ascertain, they were not given an option about which anti-malarial drug they would take before embarking on a foreign tour of duty.
"They will say that they developed psychological problems after taking the drug. None had a previous history of problems and there was then a sudden onset of severe difficulties. Their behaviour changed. Some suffered night terrors and started displaying behaviour outside the norm. Some subsequently had the medication changed while they were still on active duty. Others did not," he added.

Lariam is authorised for use by the Irish Medicines Board. The Department of Defence said earlier this year that while some risks associated with its use were highlighted in drug safety bulletins in 1996 and 2003, the Irish Medicines Board remained of the view that the benefit-risk profile for the product remained acceptable.
The department says it takes a number of safeguards to protect soldiers, such as screening all personnel who received the drug for medical suitability. Members of the Defence Forces who have certain conditions, such as depression, anxiety and neuro-degenerative disorders, are not allowed to travel on duty overseas.

Source:  http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ten-soldiers-suing-over-malaria-drug-26860374.html

 

Myth Busters

We often hear that people struggle to understand mental health and trauma because the injuries that Veterans come to Combat Stress with cannot be seen.

We have developed this quick Myth Buster guide to answer some questions we hear regularly. We want people to know more about Veterans' mental health and the symptoms of trauma so that they can have the conversations that tackle stigma and make it easier for people to seek help.
If you think someone you know should take a look, or would like to help tackle the stigma of Veteran mental health, please share this page using one of the options on the top right or on Twitter using #CSMythBuster.

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the only mental illness caused by military service.
• Mental illnesses only occur amongst junior ranks, senior ranks don't get them.
• You can only get mental illness if you have seen combat.
• PTSD is the biggest mental health problem facing the UK Veteran community.
• You cannot cure PTSD.
• Most UK Armed Forces personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan return with psychological injuries.
• The suicide rate amongst Veterans is higher than the general population.
• There is a bow wave of Veterans' mental health problems building up.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the only mental illness caused by military service.
PTSD is one of the mental illnesses most associated with military service but there are a range of other more common mental illnesses which might affect Service and ex-Service personnel.  These include depression, feelings of anxiety, panic attacks and substance misuse, most commonly alcohol misuse.

Mental illnesses only occur amongst junior ranks, senior ranks don't get them.
This is incorrect. Mental illness as a result of the traumatic experiences witnessed during Armed Forces service can affect any member of the Armed Forces regardless of rank. We have treated Veterans of various ranks suffering from PTSD and other mental ill-health - from Privates up to Brigadiers.

You can only get mental illness if you have seen combat.
Far from it, there are many traumatic experiences that sailors, soldiers and airmen could witness during their military careers which take place outside of live combat situations. Whether it is training incidents, administering medical treatment, or other activities in war zones, these traumatic experiences can stay with personnel and lead to mental ill-health in later life.

PTSD is the biggest mental health problem facing the UK Veteran community.
PTSD is a problem for a minority of Veterans. Around 1 in 25 Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are likely to develop PTSD, similar to that in the general public. However, while the rate of occurrence is similar, the complexity of the disorder tends to be much greater in Veterans. Furthermore, it often occurs alongside other medical problems such as pain, disability and substance misuse, particularly alcohol misuse.
You cannot cure PTSD.
PTSD has been left untreated for a number of years or decades will require more intensive treatment. There are still positive health outcomes for sufferers, and the potential for a life beyond symptoms, but seeking suitable, timely treatment is key to maximising the chances of recovery.If PTSD is diagnosed early and the sufferer receives the right treatment in the right environment, rates of recovery are very positive. Veterans can live normal fulfilling lives, able to work with the condition and generally become symptom free for long periods.
There is a risk of delayed-onset of PTSD, where symptoms do not occur for years or decades after the traumatic event. Veterans who present with delayed-onset PTSD have often been exposed to the effects of multiple traumas over a longer period of time. This suggests that those who serve multiple tours are more at risk of developing PTSD several years after leaving the Military.

Most UK Armed Forces personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan return with psychological injuries.
The majority of Armed Forces personnel deployed do not experience lasting mental wounds as a result of their service. However, around 1 in 25 Regulars and 1 in 20 Reservists will report symptoms of PTSD following deployment in Iraq or Afghanistan. This is very similar to the rate in the general population.
Furthermore, 1 in 5 Veterans are likely to suffer from a common mental illness - such as depression, anxiety or substance (generally alcohol) misuse - which has been caused or aggravated by their Armed Forces experiences.

The suicide rate amongst Veterans is higher than the general population.
Suicide remains a rare occurrence in both UK Regulars and Veterans. In fact, the suicide rate is not significantly different to the rate amongst the UK general population, and for most age groups is actually lower. Seeking help for suicidal thoughts remains crucial and there is extensive mental health support available to both serving and ex-Service personnel.

There is a bow wave of Veterans' mental health problems building up.

Source: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4592506238738253894#editor/target=post;postID=319661997249822347