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Post-Traumatic Stress: The Impact on Soldiers' Mental Health | Solh Wellness

The mental health condition Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may develop after a person experiences or is exposed to a severely upsetting event. These occurrences could involve violence, sexual assault, or dangerous situations.

PTSD is more likely to affect soldiers because of the nature of their work. Deeply upsetting events that can hasten the formation of PTSD include exposure to battle, losing fellow soldiers, and situations involving the harm of civilians.


Soldiers Mental Health


Some of the PTSD symptoms experienced by soldiers:

  • Reliving the trauma - A trigger can bring up upsetting memories, making the person feel as though they are reliving the painful incident, whether they are awake or asleep.

  • Avoidance - Soldiers frequently avoid circumstances that make them think about their trauma. For instance, some soldiers stay away from crowded or noisy areas. They might also decide not to talk about the incident that harmed them.

  • Negative emotions that persist - People who have PTSD may struggle with intensely negative emotions. They could find it difficult to build relationships based on trust, feel guilty or ashamed, or have trouble finding joy or interest in activities they once found enjoyable.

  • Hypervigilance or hyperarousal - Hyperarousal is the constant feeling of alertness and unease in novel situations. They might elect to sit near an exit in a restaurant, choose a seat facing the door, or decide to keep an eye out for any threats. Because of this increased awareness, it could be difficult to focus or fully appreciate the tiny pleasures. Since it may be challenging to relax and go to sleep, impatience, aggression, carelessness, or substance abuse may be used as coping techniques.


In addition to receiving PTSD counselling, soldiers can manage post-traumatic stress disorder with a variety of practical techniques, regaining control over their lives rather than having it dictated by their illness. 


The following list of coping mechanisms includes some of them:

  • Lifestyle changes: Adopting a healthy lifestyle involves engaging in activities like regular exercise, healthy eating, volunteering, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, spending time with loved ones, creating a good view on life, and socialising with other trauma survivors and former service members.

  • Mindfulness: Focusing on the present moment rather than dwelling on the past is a key component of mindfulness. Simple breathing exercises or paying close attention to one particular element of your present experience, like a flavour or perfume, are two examples of how to do this.

  • Developing Optimism: Actively looking for joyous and calming aspects of life might help focus attention away from stress and anxiety. Any nice encounter from the previous day, no matter how minor, can make you feel content and happy.

  • Peer support groups: Sharing common experiences with others can help troops feel safe enough to talk about their traumatic incidents and process the strong feelings they are associated with.

  • Emotional Support Animals: Many soldiers who are suffering from PTSD have taken on emotional support animals, which provide solace and ease in circumstances that might otherwise be stressful.


Conclusion

While defending people, soldiers frequently face challenging mental challenges like PTSD. We must give them the support they require to deal with PTSD and any other potential mental health issues.

Since mental health is important, we at Solh have selected a variety of effective self-help techniques to improve your mental wellbeing. Our services include goal-setting, mood analysis, self-assessment tests, journaling, and access to a vast collection of enlightening content. Utilise our extensive self-help resources to take control of your path to mental health improvement and personal growth.


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