Informative Speech Health Effects of War
Topic: The health effects war has on soldiers
General Purpose: To inform
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the health effects war has on soldiers
Thesis: If a war can severely impact the countries at war, it surely has a grave impact on those who are on the forefront during the times of war.
Introduction
“Will he ever find peace here on this earth? Before death’s fingers encircle his throat Or will peace remain just beyond his girth Abandoning him eternally to a land remote” – Nancy L.
In the poem ‘The Sacrifice’, Meek sheds light on the connection between war and peace and their repercussions on nations. War arises from a lack of peace and ultimately fails to bring happiness to anyone involved. The consequences of wars affect all participating nations, causing extensive harm to their economies and citizens’ lives. Moreover, those actively engaged in the war, especially the courageous soldiers who give up their lives defending their homes, suffer the gravest consequences.
Wars not only impact soldiers’ lives, but they also have significant emotional effects on them. These conflicts stir up emotions and affect the mental state of soldiers, who are expected to eliminate enemy forces during combat while being forced to take someone’s life. It is important to remember that these enemies are human beings as well. Soldiers in war witness death almost daily, making it a frequent occurrence. They also endure grief caused by their fellow soldiers’ suffering and deaths.
Shifting focus to American troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, psychological issues such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are key concerns. Diagnoses for these conditions often overlap. In the 20th century, little was known about the emotional effects of war on soldiers until psychological studies provided understanding about their experiences.
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, occurs when the brain tries to deal with trauma. In military veterans with PTSD, they may experience vivid memories of their traumatic war experiences in dreams or thoughts. They might even have hallucinations that take them back to the war environment, especially during sleep, substance use, or even while awake. These individuals become highly sensitive and reactive to anything that reminds them of the trauma and actively avoid triggers associated with it. Social interactions become difficult for them as loud noises and crowded places act as reminders of bombings and trenches. War veterans with PTSD often choose not to marry or have children due to fear resulting from close brushes with death and concerns about potentially leaving loved ones behind.
In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, it was found that around 12.5% of soldiers who fought in Iraq showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The research involved 6,201 service members who completed anonymous questionnaires about their mental health, utilization of mental health services, and combat experience. The findings revealed that approximately 16-17% of individuals deployed in Iraq reported symptoms associated with major depression, anxiety, or PTSD. This percentage was lower for those sent to Afghanistan (11%) and even lower for participants surveyed before deployment (9%). Notably, the difference was most significant regarding PTSD, as there were twice as many soldiers affected by this disorder after serving in Iraq compared to Afghanistan. Prior to deployment, the rate of PTSD was 5%, similar to that among the general U.S. population. Dr.Charles Hoge stressed the importance of combat veterans seeking early assistance. According to a recent study from http://www.snbc.msn.com/, only 38-40% of individuals with mental health disorders expressed interest in getting help, while just 23-40% actually sought assistance. The main reasons for this hesitance were worries about judgment from others and potential negative impacts on their careers. This research highlights the need to reduce these barriers so that people feel more inclined to seek and receive necessary support.
There are active soldiers in the armed forces who avoid seeking assistance due to concerns about the negative impact on their military careers if they acknowledge their psychological issues. Conversely, some people opt for civilian practice instead of using the military healthcare system. As time goes on, it is expected that there will be an increasing need for mental health support among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The brain and mental health trends are predicted to persist as more troops return, leading to an increase in these issues. Additionally, it is common for these problems to manifest several months or even years after service members have resettled at home, rather than immediately upon their return. A research study published in the April edition of the Journal of Affective Disorders found that over time, healthcare utilization and psychiatric issues among injured service members from Iraq or Afghanistan grew. Furthermore, as individuals spend more time back home, a growing number of people are coming forward with potential difficulties.
The military mental health system is facing an increasing number of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, with expectations of further growth. There are concerns regarding the healthcare system’s capability to effectively treat these returning troops. A 2010 report by the Institute of Medicine highlights a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, especially in the field of mental health, who can adequately meet the needs of those coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. Ultimately, it has been proven that war profoundly impacts numerous soldiers.
Although it is impossible to fully prepare veterans for the harsh realities of warfare, such as witnessing the death of comrades and narrowly escaping their own demise II, it is important to consider how we can actively protect them from mental trauma before they are sent into combat. Rather than solely focusing on treating their symptoms after significant psychological damage has already occurred III, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Veterans Administration (VA) have taken steps to anticipate the expected rise in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Two effective treatment approaches for PTSD are cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy. National PTSD Awareness Day is on June 27th. New veterans with PTSD may have better outcomes compared to Vietnam veterans since the disorder was only recognized in 1980. The methodology for treating PTSD is still evolving to meet the demands of modern conflicts and will continue to be a focus for a long time to come.
Works Cited
“1 in 8 Returning Soldiers Suffers from PTSD But Less than Half with Problems Seek Help, Report Finds.” NBC News. N.p., 30 June 2004. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.
“Emotional Effects of War on Soldiers.” Buzzle. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.
Matson, John. “Legacy of Mental Health Problems from Iraq and Afghanistan Wars Will Be Long-Lived: Scientific American.” Scientific American. N.p., 27 June 2011.Web .15 Oct .2012.
Tian, Stan.“The Emotional Effects of War on Soldiers.” Health Guidance.N.p.,n.d.Web .15Oct .2012.
