Jonathan Rivera
Professor. Hegarty
ENG 101
4/25/2019
There are countless ways post traumatic stress disorder is neglected and also, how it should be treated better. Post traumatic stress disorder in America is more common than people think. There are many different people in a lot of different backgrounds that are diagnosed with this type of disorder. Most doctors feel post traumatic stress disorder has to be that severe in order to be diagnosed. Many people have been left undiagnosed for that specific reason leaving them to feel neglected with their disorder. In addition, most patients who are left undiagnosed can result to attempt suicide while struggling and feeling forgotten about their disorder. Post traumatic stress disorder is one of the biggest epidemics in society today. I argue at the fact that people who suffer from this disorder should be more cared for and medically treaded.
Post traumatic stress disorder emerges into a person when someone experiences a traumatic event. Mainly death or violent events are what causes people to develop post traumatic stress. In addition, response to trauma is different in each person. different experiences such as war, assault, rape, torture, a natural disaster along with other traumatic events can possibly cause one to result to post traumatic stress disorder. Post traumatic stress disorder is caused in various ways for countless reasons in the society we live in today.
Now a days in America post traumatic stress is very much neglected. Not only veterans in the military but, also, people that come from violent neiborhoods are left behind as well. In addition, Lois Beckett who is a reporter for ProPublica states that, " trauma centers in the united states often do not screen for post traumatic stress disorder and are ill- equipped to treat the disorder"(Beckett). In making this comment, Beckett urges us to see what is happening in trauma centers as to how they leave out patients with this disorder. Furthermore, at some point in their lives, about eight percent of Americans suffer from post traumatic stress(Beckett). Actually, the rate seems to be increased in poor communities, where high percentages of violent crimes have continued despite a national decline(Beckett). Most people suspect that post traumatic stress untreated will not conclude to violence. However, according to Ressler, "there's a subgroup of people who are at risk, in the wrong place at the wrong time, of reacting in a violent way or an aggressive way, that they might not have if they had their post traumatic stress disorder treaded"(Ressler). Resslers point is that post traumatic stress disorder can be more dangerous than people what people suspect if undiagnosed.
There are very few ways post traumatic stress disorder is treated. Antidepressants and antipsychotics are the most commonly used medications to treat post traumatic stress(Active ingredients may help with PTSD). For example, Risperdal which is a widely prescribed antipsychotic is no more effective than placebos(Fox 1). Unfortunately, placebos are said to not be that effective as well and, are still more effective than Risperdal(Fox). Furthermore, antidepressants is another main use for post traumatic stress disorder however, only does but some much effectively(Fox). Antidepressants are known to treat symptoms such as insomnia, nightmares, and anxiety(Fox). In addition, there is another existing treatment for post traumatic stress like several forms of psychotherapy. Different forms of psychotherapy such as exposure therapy and cognitive therapy are commonly treaded to veterans however, not quite effective(Active ingredients may help with PTSD). According to preceding unrelated study up to seventy-two percent of veterans who take psychotherapy as a treatment continue to have post traumatic stress disorder(Active ingredients may help with PTSD).
In America today, there is an abundant of new research on how to better treat post traumatic stress. For example, medical marijuana is said to be considered as better treatment. In fact, evidence is supported by the potential of medical marijuana as a treatment for post traumatic stress disorder as a therapeutic substance(Fox). Even though marijuana is considered a drug, it has been proven to lessen the symptoms of the disorder(Fox). Furthermore, the doctors at veteran affairs cant prefer it because the federal government will not allow studies to continue to prove marijuana's effectiveness(Fox). In an animal study that was found by an Israeli physician Irit Akirav, cannabinoids which is an active chemical in marijuana, may reduce the effects of post traumatic stress disorder. After an evaluation of available research in New Mexico, lots of patients use marijuana for post traumatic stress(Fox).
In American society, post traumatic stress disorder need to be more recognized. Americans who are mistreated or undiagnosed can result to being unable to work or function properly(Beckett). Also, it can lead to more violence when victims of post traumatic stress disorder may be quick to overreact to stress. Moreover, the disorder is more common in high crime area(Beckett). Americans who suffer from traumatic injuries result to be diagnosed for post traumatic stress disorder at rates similar to veterans at war(Beckett). Compared to veterans, civilians can experience hardships of flashbacks, nightmare, paranoiac, and social withdrawal(Beckett). Although, the United States has been slow providing treatment to those affected by post traumatic stress disorder, over the last few years the military has made some significant progress(Beckett). In addition, very few compared works exist for American citizens trauma victims(Beckett). Civilians hurt in their neighborhoods they live in are not being treated for post traumatic stress. Even though Eight percent of Americans suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, rates seemed to be increased in poor African American communities(Beckett).I believe this is why Post Traumatic Stress Disorder needs to be considered more often.
Post traumatic stress disorder is a specific type of disorder that should never be mistreated nor neglected. Countless veterans who suffer post traumatic stress have gone through conflicts between themselves as well as other people. Also, Americans who live in dangerous communities suffer from post traumatic stress as well. Those who live in these dangerous communities are usually neglected and undiagnosed due to what occurs in these specific communities. This should never be the case because, just like veterans, American citizen in these hard neighborhoods are people too. Doctors who study better treatment should definitely push hard for medical marijuana. In certain circumstances it has been proven that medicinal marijuana is positively effective and can reduce the symptoms for post traumatic stress disorder. Any other common treatment has been shown to be ineffective to this disorder. Doctors should be more aware of how to treat a patient with post traumatic stress disorder by applying themselves to studies of better treatment as well as, seeing when a patient has the disorder.
Work Cited:
Beckett, Lois. "Better Treatment Is Needed for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." Mental Illness, edited by Noah Berlatsky, Greenhaven Press, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints.
Fox, Steve. "Medical Marijuana Should Be Considered as a Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." Behavioral Disorders, edited by Roman Espejo, Greenhaven Press, 2014. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context,
"Active ingredient in ecstasy may help veterans with PTSD, study finds." CNN Wire, 3 May 2018. Opposing Viewpoints in Context,
