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Similarities Between World War II And Korean War Veterans

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Almost all service members will have reactions after returning from deployment. These behaviors and feelings are normal, especially during the first week at home. The most common mental health problem that some service members develop after witnessing or experiencing combat is PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder). Service members who had the courage to seek help will admit that they have trouble doing normal activities, like go to work, go to school, or spend time with people they care about. PTSD affects mood, behavior, and many cognitive functions, which are often times not noticeable to others. That being said, at my internship site the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) located in Sepulveda offers an evidence-based intervention (EBI), …show more content…

The World War II and Korean War veterans talk about their trauma and share stories amongst each other, which is beneficial because they all can relate in some shape or form. Since I started observing this PTSD group, many of the veterans expressed how difficult it is to share their combat experiences with their family and friends because they don’t understand. Also, connecting with their loved ones was a whole other issue. The veterans believed that everyone was judging them and therefore they would isolate themselves and cope with substance use. For any veteran with PTSD, it’s important to find people who will listen without judgment (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2014). Strengths of using CBT in a PTSD group is identifying thoughts about the world and yourself that are making you feel afraid or upset. With the help of the clinician, the veterans are learning how to replace these thought with more less distressing thoughts in order for them to feel and behave differently about themselves or …show more content…

However, the veterans understand that it’s a day-to-day process and their willingness to change brings them closer to their sanity. According to Haluk and Lawrence (2014), efforts to introducing evidence-based practices (EBP) in treatment settings are more successful when members of an organization are “ready to change”(p.73). This is to be true, members of the PTSD group understand that their mental illness has affected them in some shape or form. Therefore, their motivation to attend group and seek help promotes a positive implementation of EBPs. In addition, staff training is a paramount requirement for successful EBP implementation and sustainment (Haluk & Lawrence, 2014). The VA has highly qualified, licensed practitioners that are capable to implement EBPs. VA staff undergoes supervision, monitoring of performance, and booster trainings sessions to better prepare and successfully operate an

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