November is Wounded Warrior Month Published Nov. 23, 2008 By the Mental Health Clinic 51st Medical Group OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has designated November as Wounded Warrior month. Secretary Gates wants to ensure that all veterans impacted by war receive the services and benefits for which they are entitled and, perhaps more importantly, need. Achieving this goal is important not only for veterans who have experienced physical injuries, but also those who experience Post-traumatic Stress symptoms, which may not be detected during a physical exam. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is the most prevalent mental disorder arising from combat. It also affects military men and women deployed in peacekeeping or humanitarian missions, responding to acts of terrorism, caught up in training accidents, or victimized by sexual trauma. PTSD's burden may be transient or last a lifetime. Recent studies estimate that over 7 million American adults are diagnosed with PTSD. Symptoms of this disorder include: · frequent upsetting thoughts or memories about a traumatic event · recurrent nightmares · acting or feeling as though the traumatic event were happening again; sometimes called a "flashback" · strong feelings of distress when reminded of the traumatic event · exaggerated physical responsiveness, such as experiencing a surge in your heart rate or sweating, to reminders of the traumatic event · avoidance of thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the traumatic event · making an effort to avoid places or people that remind you of the traumatic event · difficulty remembering important parts of the traumatic event · loss of interest in important, once positive, activities · feeling distant from others · experiencing difficulties having positive feelings, such as happiness or love · feeling as though your life may be cut short · difficulty falling or staying asleep · feeling more irritable or having outbursts of anger · difficulty concentrating · feeling constantly "on guard" or like danger is lurking around every corner · "jumpy" or easily startled Although many people initially have some of these symptoms following a traumatic event, a high percentage of these individuals get better by utilizing healthy coping methods such as talking to friends, family, and others in their support system. However, for those that continue to experience high levels of distress despite healthy attempts to reduce their symptoms, effective treatments exist that can help reduce the emotional and physical pain. Your symptoms don't have to interfere with your everyday activities, work, and relationships. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we recommend that you contact the Osan Mental Health Clinic at 784-2148. Trained professionals are available to provide answers to your questions and help guide you through the healing process.