PTSD and "today's answer"

[piedpiper]

Sadly, the answer inside is much worse than the so-called "answers" we have outside. PTSD isn't that's unique or new. It's been called so many different names over the decades. Nor is it limited to those of us who have served, however, methods, treatments and answers have by far not been as glamorous or glory filled as cancer. What's so ironic is when asked we lace the boots and grab our weapons for war, most are respectful and acknowledge the service or sacrifice, but when comes to addressing the conditions that close to 80% of us return with. We see the consequences of that the number of those incarcerated as well as the rates of recidivism. The common answer seems to be "take two pills and call me in the morning". Just as it's important to understand our enemies, we have understand that there is no two individuals suffering with PTSD alike... 80% is a staggering number that require - no demand and deserve proper treatment.

[Born]

post traumatic stress disorder, is defined by a set of reactions that can occur after someone has been through a traumatic event. The chance of developing PTSD depends on the type of event experienced, About 5 to 10% of people will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives.


The main symptoms of PTSD are:
Re-living the traumatic event through distressing, unwanted memories, vivid nightmares and/or flashbacks. This can also include feeling very upset or having intense physical reactions such as heart palpitations or being unable to breathe when reminded of the traumatic event.
Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event, including activities, places, people, thoughts or feelings that bring back memories of the trauma. These evens cannot be avoided in a war or prison environment. ( the army person or prisoner relive these events on a daily bases)
The person may experience negative thoughts and feelings such as fear, anger, guilt, or feeling flat or numb a lot of the time. They may blame themselves or others for what happened during or after the traumatic event, feel cut-off from friends and family, or lose interest in day-to-day activities.
They may feel wound-up. This might mean having trouble sleeping or concentrating, feeling angry or irritable, taking risks, being easily startled, and/or being constantly on the lookout for danger. It is not unusual for people with PTSD to experience other mental health problems as well, like depression or anxiety. Some people may develop a habit of using alcohol or drugs as a way of coping. The only problem with drugs and alcohol is that it makes them feel worse once the effects wear of and then they end up needing more to gain that same feeling of euphoria and eventually either die of an overdose or alcohol related liver failure or alcohol poisoning.

[Justme512]

As a psychotherapist, I deal with past inmates who have “Prisoner Post Traumatic Stress”. More than 60% of men in prison have symptoms and signs of severe to moderate PTSD and women have higher rates than the general population. This is due to being exposed to physical trauma and/or harsh environments that may remind them of horrible childhood memories they have suppressed. Inmates are subjected to dehumanizing and unloving environments and depending on the person can be traumatizing. When a prisoner does start noticing symptoms of PTSD, they will most likely be internalized. They will not seek mental health services because they feel that they will be showing a sign of weakness. Instead, this can lead to frustration, pent up rage, and/or anger outbursts. Prisoners who do not have a strong social support network might suffer more because they worry about being paroled to a world and being alone. This is indeed a mental health crisis that needs to be addressed more. Many of our prisoners do not get the mental health treatment they need and that is why they are in crisis.

[GaReform]

Post Incarceration Syndrome is a HUGE problem that is being ignored by the criminal justice system. I know there have been several studies done on it & therapists are becoming more aware but post incarceration therapy isn't being required or offered to people being released. Most people don't understand that they are dealing with a treatable issue. They just struggle through as best they can.
The National Incarceration Association advocacy group is exploring the issue to try & come up with a plan to bring attention to the need. They hope to get peer mentors certified in helping people with the metal stress & help families have an easier time of successful reentry after incarceration.
Addressing the mental stress may lead to less revocations of parole/probation & less recidivism. Just releasing people back into the "free" world with no support clearly isn't working well. Here are a couple of resources that I found interesting on that subject.

https://www.november.org/stayinfo/breaking/PICS.html
https://www.thefix.com/post-incarceration-syndrome

[GaReform]

It looks like the issue is getting some attention. I watched the tv show, For Life, last night. It's loosely based on a true story of a man who was wrongly convicted, served time, & became a lawyer. The episode showed him experiencing some PTSD & when I did some research it said the season is going to highlight PTSD. Maybe this will encourage people to speak up & draw attention to a growing problem that are loved ones struggle with.