PTSD and Depression
The operation of military officers revolves around life-threatening and traumatic experiences. If soldiers are for example involved in warfare or rescue missions, the experiences expose them to harsh conditions that are hard to manage. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression are common conditions that affect military officers who have had to go through traumatic events.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder happens as a result of the reaction of the brain and body to severe traumatic events. Military officers are on several occasions send to warfare. The engagements in warfare involve direct combats with terrorists or other military officers for example in warring countries. Direct combats present life-threatening experiences since the officers are expected to give their lives for the protection of their mother nations. The surviving officers are always faced with a challenge of dealing with PTSD. The symptoms that come with PTSD include the feeling of disconnection and the desire to stay alone. Fortunately, PTSD is a manageable condition and officers always have a chance to turn back to their normal life. The treatment of PTSD involves an attempt to bring back the normal life of the affected officer by taking them through guided training. On top of the PTSD, depression is also common among military officers.
Depression is characterized by excess stress and is a form of mood disorder. Military officers are in a higher risk of developing depression if exposed to multiple deployments to war zones, or are exposed to traumatic experiences (Belsher et al. 2016). Also, close relatives could be in depression due to the worries on the dangers surrounding one of their own. Fortunately, depression could also be managed. PTSD and depression are almost the same conditions although PTSD mostly affects individuals after leaving service.
In sum, depression and PTSD are mental disorders. Military officers are at a higher risk of developing depression and PTSD. The fortunate bit about depression and PTSD is that both conditions are manageable if medical assistance is sought.
References
Belsher, B. E., Jaycox, L. H., Freed, M. C., Evatt, D. P., Liu, X., Novak, L. A., … & Engel, C. C. (2016). Mental health utilization patterns during a stepped, collaborative care effectiveness trial for PTSD and depression in the military health system. Medical care, 54(7), 706-713.