Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the college student
6 BTB / JAN, 2014
t is no secret that here at Northern Illinois University we have large amount of students that are recent military veterans. It is often not hard to pick them out of a crowd with their digital camouflage backpacks, perfect haircuts, and proud demeanor. They certainly walk tall in our community. According to the American Council on Education, with the conclusion to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, only more military veterans are entering our student population. With the increase of military veterans on campus so will the demand for treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The condition is so prevalent amongst members of the military that the Department of Defense estimates that up to 20 percent of those who have served in the armed forces will suffer from the disorder. With this being said, it is important that we as an educational institution have a good understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and know the services our institution has for these individuals. Educators and staff at NIU need to know the signs of the disorder as they could very well be the first to notice the issue in the student-veteran.
A study in 2008 by the RAND Corporation revealed several risk factors in the development of this disorder. According to the study, the number one predictor of PTSD is exposure to combat trauma on military deployment. Past trauma in an individual's life may also predispose them to the affliction. Additionally, a study of Minnesota National Guard soldiers by researchers at the Minneapolis VA found additional indicators including anxiety prior to deployment, as well as the type of training, support, and preparation a Soldier, Airman, Sailor, or Marine receives. The Mayo Clinic cites other risk factors including inherited predisposition to psychiatric illness, brain chemistry, and even gender, with women being four times more likely than men to develop PTSD. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder vary in severity and tend to fall into three categories: re-experiencing the trauma, avoidance, and increased general anxiety. Re-experiencing the trauma occurs through nightmares, obsessive thoughts and intrusive memories about the experience, and flashbacks in which an individual actually re-lives the event. Avoidance is characterized by emotional numbness, a sense of hopelessness, memory and concentration problems, and difficulties developing and maintaining relationships. The third category of symptoms is increased general anxiety. This condition is manifested by frequent irritability or anger, difficulty sleeping, and feelings of guilt or shame regarding the individual's involvement in the traumatic experience. Often this anxious state of mind will lead to self-destructive behavior such as alcoholism, drug abuse, or general recklessness.
One common effect of PTSD is depression. Depression can cause sleeplessness, lack of interest, and also can lead to very serious physical diseases as the body begins to deteriorate. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies of war veterans have demonstrated a link between PTSD and cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, and musculoskeletal conditions. Additionally, depression often leads to alcohol and drug abuse. Obviously, this can have a negative effect on a student in the class room. As it was mentioned previously, depression can cause lack of sleep and interest which will certainly extend to the classroom.
Unfortunately, another effect of PTSD is suicide. This tragic end has devastating effects on family and friends of the victim. Loved ones are left with the incredible sorrow of such a loss and perhaps with guilt over not having been able to help. Children are left without a parent, parents lose a child, and spouses are left alone. According to USA Today, military statistics analyses found that roughly 15 % of overall U.S. Military casualties of the Afghanistan and Iraq war are the result of suicide. In the case of our war veterans, no one who has given so much for all of us should ever reach the point of feeling the need to take their own life. This is why we must have an increased awareness of our Student - Veterans in the classroom.
So where do we send our students that we suspect as needing help? What do we have on campus that can help? Campus Counseling Services located at Campus Life Building 200 have trained personnel that can help if you suspect a student needs their assistance. They can be contacted at (815) 753 -1206.
Joshua Reed
Military Student Services
The following are links to additional resources available on campus if you think you might know someone who may need help:
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