Lindsay Park:

This project on researching PTSD helped my gain knowledge of what it means to those living under PTSD and its negative impact to not only the victim, but also the victims’ family. The unspeakable pain PTSD causes to the victims has great significance in our understanding as a whole on PTSD today. From more research scientists and psychiatrists learn more about what exactly is the cure for PTSD. Despite the constant attempts to find more ways of eradicating PTSD, the victims continue to commit suicide at devastating rates.

The constant reports on veteran suicide incidents have not been decreasing ever since scientists have found the main cause of the disorder. Since the first attempt to eradicate the disorder, the veteran suicide rates did not significantly drop. This does not have a personal connection with me, but I have also learned that the PTSD victims, in the long run, are prevented from reaching their maximum limit. The fact that this does not apply to me personally does not change the severe situation many of the veterans are going through at this moment.

The constant, life-threatening consciousness in the victims mind is something only the victims can truly understand. The disorder itself is so diversely presented in each victim that even the victims amongst themselves can not truly relate. If the victims are being continued to be left out in a dark corner of no communication, the victims can eventually commit suicide. This can be a truly tragic to his/her friends and family. Not only can this create a hole in the loved ones' hearts, but it can also influence the other veterans that it is fine just to give up on seeking treatment forever.

Matt Baldwin:

My perception and understanding of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has changed dramatically. Through the research I have done, I have concluded that PTSD is very overlooked, and as a society, we need to focus on the people who suffer from this disorder right away. There are many ways that my understanding of PTSD has evolved to a new level, and I will further explain that here.

PTSD is often advertised as being only suffered by war veterans and those who have seen combat, which is not true at all. Many, if not most traumatic events suffered that have caused anxiety in people are due to rape, neglect, and abuse. In some time in their lives, about 8% of all american adults will suffer from PTSD, which is a HUGE number. Never have I nor any person that I know would have thought that almost 1 in 10 adults will have had exposure to PTSD. Not only is PTSD a mental disorder however, as it has been linked to many physical problems as well as for example, victims will be more vulnerable to heart and lung diseases as well as the excess release of neurological chemicals that have been found to negatively impact the thyroid. As a society, we come to be more accepting of PTSD now, as more people are suffering from the disorder, and new methods of treating it have emerged such as psychological counseling, family counseling, medicinal treatments and more. There is always help for the people suffering from PTSD, and treatments that have emerged are largely successful in easing the pain that PTSD inflicts on people.

Through the research I have done on PTSD, I have come to learn that it is very underestimated and overlooked by society, and is a problem that is quietly submerging as time passes. A common misconception people face when they research PTSD is that it is only suffered by those who are veterans, which is very untrue. Surprisingly, more people who are at home suffer from PTSD due to neglect are the majority of those who suffer from this disorder. My perception and understanding on how PTSD affects people, and how it is inflicted has changed my perception dramatically, and pushes me to get out and help others who suffer from this horrible disorder.

James O'Donnell

Over the year my perception of PTSD has changed over time. I have learned about the horrors soldiers have gone through during their wartime experiences. The first generation of people to experience PTSD widespread was the soldiers of WW1. From their wartime experience they gained the battle torn type of The soldiers were traumatized for life and doctors were unable to successfully treat most of the patients. As time went on though there became a greater understanding of PTSD and soldiers were no longer shamed for their mental trauma, nor should anyone be shamed for their PTSD. Anyone can have PTSD, a soldier, a rape survivor, or a anyone who has survived a traumatic experience. This can lead them to a life of mental illness with things like Depression, mental illness, and suicide. People can overcome this disorder through psychotherapy, and our support for them. Instead of judging people who have PTSD, we should try to help them in any way. I can do this in my own life by helping to volunteer at places that help provide the therapy soldiers need at places like the Wounded Warrior project. Doing things like this can help people who suffer from PTSD improve their lives, and is a way I can help them.