PTSD, when the past is present

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Magen M. Reeves
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  June is National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month. June 27 is PTSD Awareness Day.

"Here at the (341st Medical Operations Squadron mental health) clinic, we have providers who are able to offer treatment for mild symptoms of PTSD," said Airman 1st Class Ricardo Batista, 341st MDOS mental health technician. "If a case is more severe, then treatment will have to be continued (at a different facility)."

One of the 341st Missile Wing's priorities is taking care of Airmen and families.

"Airmen are very important to Malmstrom," said Batista. "We do all we can here at the clinic to help them."

The wing's 341st Medical Group offers treatments and counseling to Airmen dealing with mild symptoms of PTSD.

"PTSD symptoms are nearly universal immediately following traumatic stressors," said Capt. Erick Messler, 341st MDOS director of psychological health. "Reactions such as trouble sleeping, increased jumpiness and upsetting memories are common."

According to www.ptsd.va.gov, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, mental health professionals cannot determine why some individuals develop the disorder while others do not.

"Most people who experience very serious traumatic stressors recover from initial symptoms naturally and do not develop the disorder," said Messler. "Individuals that continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD."

According to Messler, PTSD can be characterized as a disorder of non-recovery. Non-recovery suggests that some individuals simply cannot recover from the often times traumatic experiences for no reason that researchers have been able to identify. Symptoms can affect a person for years after the initial experience.

"There are a lot of misconceptions about PTSD," said Messler. "It is important to remember that the disorder is highly treatable."

The 341st MDOS mental health clinic offers treatments for those struggling with PTSD such as cognitive processing therapy.

According to Messler, evidence shows that the treatment options available prove to be successful in helping individuals recover from PTSD symptoms.

"Our treatments are evidence-based," said Messler. "Individuals can also talk to their primary care manager, chaplain or a mental health professional. To adaptively cope, talk about it with someone you trust, be with others instead of isolating, exercise and engage with hobbies.

"These strategies might seem like common sense resiliency, but we often lose sight of them as we get swept up in the stressors life throws at us," continued Messler.

For more information, contact the mental health clinic at 731-4451.