Combat in war poses many hardships for the men who fight. Living conditions are usually harsh and exposure to traumatic events the norm. During the middle part of this century America sent young men off to Vietnam to battle communism. When those that survived returned, their pain and suffering did not end. An unthankful society and exposure to extreme trauma suffered by these soldiers developed into PostTraumatic Stress Syndrome and is suffered by soldiers to this day. Until recently the condition of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome was not fully understood, but now it is known that PTSD severely affects many combat veterans and their families.
Throughout much of history it was thought that soldiers who were physiologically damaged were shell shocked or rattled from the loud explosions of artillery shells. However, during WWI a study done by Sigmund Freud concluded that there was an actual mental problem with soldiers who had seen combat and not a physiological problem as earlier thought (Brende and Parson 67). Research has been conducted for the past decade to understand PTSD and why so many Vietnam veterans are afflicted by it. In a study done by the National V
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The children he raises may also experience low self esteem caused by feelings that their father does not seem to care for them (224). When outside stress factors are experienced by veterans, they are likely to lash out in intense anger. Movies about the Vietnam War often use flashbacks to show how veterans are affected by PTSD. The policy of returning soldiers home within 36 hours after out processing did not allow enough time to debrief from the war (Brende and Parson 72). Psychologists define the age of 18-24 as the time young men are forming their identities, and during this time young soldiers were asked to kill and fight instead of building their lives (Sonneburg, Blank, and Talbott 44).
What is perhaps most damaging to a family is the effect on children when their father is suffering from PTSD. By experiencing traumatic events and dealing with a hostile environment when coming home many Vietnam veterans were afflicted with PTSD. Lack of communication and intimacy
B. Important emotions such as intimacy and empathy are used up by war, and veterans usually have a difficult time rebuilding these emotions (49). An additional problem faced by veterans suffering PTSD is being too stern and demanding or too lax and unassertive with their children (Brende and Parson 112).
Approximate Word count =
1553
Approximate Pages =
6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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