Affair

Heroes for Our Heroes As I was surfing the web, I saw an article titled “Vets Adopt Pets". This article caught my attention because I believed that by vets it meant veterinarians what it actually means is veterans. According to this article, there are organizations that train dogs to be companions for our veterans who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder. According to an article in the newspaper, Blade, PTSD is a disorder caused by traumatic experiences such as war, abuse, accidents, and…

As all wars are the same, many countries have had to deal with the after affects they have on soldiers and the wider community. The First World War was, however, different in the fact that it saw many men dealing with a mental issue that did not yet have a name or processes aimed at getting it under control, through medication and therapy, like there are today. Even though there have been many suicidal attempts and deaths of ex-servicemen, it cannot be said that there is a causal relationship…

Yoga has helped individuals relax with the help of different body postures, breathing exercises and meditation. One individuals story that really stood out to me was about a veteran who suffered from severe PTSD. His name was Dan Nevins and he was an Iraq war veteran and lost both legs, one leg due to an explosive device and the other one due to an infection. He endured 36 surgeries for his legs, and was also at the time going through a divorce. His life was falling apart. His PTSD was gradually…

In 1776, Continental Congress would provide pensions during the Revolutionary War to soldiers who were disabled. Veterans were also given the option of a domiciliary home to have in home care, this also included incidental medical and hospital treatment for the injuries or diseases they may have. In 1917, the United States went into World War I, this became “the first mechanized war, and as a result, soldiers who were exposed to mustard gas, other chemicals and fumes required specialized care…

When I finally had the opportunity to work and assist military veterans, I never expected that I was going to work directly with clients who were diagnosed with a substance and mental health disorder. For my first internship in Graduate School, I interned on Skid Row at the Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA). This internship was very challenging and demanding for me, because I had no idea what to expect. I interned in a Harm Reduction program that assisted homeless veterans with…

A common misconception is what a typical veteran looks like. Many people assume a typical veteran is an older male individual, but that is simply not the case! In fact, the idea of there being a “typical” veteran is absurd. Veterans have different backgrounds and come from a variety of places. This is important to remember when dealing with veterans in the VA health system. An example would be WWII veterans tend to be more reserved in their health care and simply want the doctor to prescribe…

PTSD and Poverty: Trauma as a staple of inner-city life Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was first brought to the forefront through its effects on Vietnam War veterans. In 1980, the disorder was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) (Friedman), the standard classification of mental illnesses used by medical professionals in the US (“DSM”). Its classification was groundbreaking because it recognized an external cause to the unusual behaviors many people…

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly known as PTSD, is a mental illness triggered by one or more terrifying events that happened in the past, either being experienced or witnessed. The events include severe injury, extreme violence, sexual assault, or warfare, etc. The symptoms of such mental disorder caused by the past traumas include disturbing flashbacks, severe anxiety, and hyperarousal, which results in a constant condition of being easily startled and feeling tense for a long period of…

When we think of a Military Veteran, often times our minds jump right to Vietnam or World War I and II. Many have served and sacrificed since the beginning of time. Some have been drafted, some chose the Military as a way of serving their country, while some chose to join for a guaranteed means to support them and their family. Not once did a Veteran think while they were Active Duty that eventually they would or could become unemployed. Unable to support themselves, or their family. Not…

Hi Luann, You brought up an interesting point about a client who does not want to search his or her own opinions and behaviors, would not fare well with a person who utilizes Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy. Stark (2002) talked about clinical interventions when a difference of opinion arises, such as a client becoming defensive, not desiring to change their thoughts and demeanor, giving us tools to navigate a client through the process gaining a positive result. Got me to thinking about the…