Problem Statement
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health problem that is inherent to people experiencing a certain stress. Often this is related to experience or to be witness to a life-threatening incident. Although this disorder is very common among the victims of sexual violence, the widest audience suffering from this disorder is the veterans of the war (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Former soldiers and veterans suffering from PTSD often have a number of symptoms that can be variated depending on emotional stability, the severity of the events carried and individual characteristics. They are a feeling of hopelessness, despair or shame, insomnia or nightmares, the appearance of alcohol or drug addiction, loss of efficiency, depression, physical symptoms, and pain, as well as problems with communication with other people (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Research Question
The research question is to teach people to identify the symptoms of PTSD in their relatives in time and provide the necessary support (Marsh, 2014). Social support is an important factor that helps to reduce the negative impact of stress and prevent the development of symptoms. It is important to teach the patient’s relatives the right care in order to speed up the recovery process (Marsh, 2014).
Research Purpose
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most effective methods of treatment of PTSD symptoms in veterans (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2017). Taking certain antidepressants may be effective in eliminating some of PTSD symptoms and nightmares. Although the use of medications can contribute to an instant but short improvement in health, one of the goals of the study is an alternative way of treating – drug-free cognitive therapy. It must be remembered that benzodiazepines and atypical antipsychotics do not treat the main symptoms of PTSD and can be addictive, which can significantly worsen the patient’s condition. Therefore, the research purpose is to observe the progress and overcome the symptoms in this group of patients, making some interventions if necessary to prevent deterioration (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2017).
