MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Combat related stress has again become an issue for service members who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Marine Corps recognizes this problem, and has been putting forth their best effort to help treat and cure Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“As our Marines and Sailors return home from combat, our support programs must be on a wartime footing to meet their needs as they transition back to life here at home,” said Gen. James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps. “These returning warriors have proven their dedication to Corps and Country and deserve our level best. We will take care of our own –that’s what Marines do, period.”
One in five service members who have returned from a combat zone experience symptoms for PTSD, said Dr. Earnest Hanes, psychologist at the Post Deployment Health Clinic here. Because PTSD is treatable, service members are urged to seek help for their condition.
“Seeking help can help service members suffering from PTSD lead full and productive lives without turning to alcoholism or drug abuse like was common in World War II or Vietnam,” Hanes said. “The military is coming to terms with the need for mental health services to be provided to our returning warriors and our goal is to get people back on their feet and working.”
Family members or the service member can recognize symptoms of PTSD themselves. Symptoms can be broken down into three basic parts; re-experiencing, avoidance and being on edge.
Re-experiencing happens when a service member experiences vivid memories or nightmares of their traumatic experience. Being able to deal with severely traumatic experiences isn’t naturally scripted into humans’ brains, so PTSD is a common result to responding to a traumatic event, Hanes said.
Avoidance comes in the form of keeping busy to ignore the problem, or even ignoring family members or social gatherings to keep from talking about the experience. Avoidance can lead to weakening personal relationships and even wearing out the body because of trying to stay constantly active, Hanes said.
Being on edge is a common symptom of PTSD. This is the “shell-shock” part of PTSD, when a service member is easily startled, quick to anger or irritability, or hyper-vigilant in social settings. Someone who is on edge could have trouble relaxing and getting to sleep, Hanes said.
Service members need to know that there is help available for them. Seeking help from medical clinics or their chaplain can help the service member battle and cure PTSD.
“A good way to combat combat stress is being active in the community, PT regularly, eat healthy and keep active,” said Navy Lt. Robert S. Nelson, chaplain, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. “There are several places they can go on base for help. There’s the chaplain, medical and Marine Corps Community Services. When Marines come up to me, I help them as much as I can by talking to them, but I still refer them to medical and MCCS so they can get all the help they need.”