Increase in Ohio PTSD cases

It would be impossible to deny that Wright State University is located in an incredibly military-heavy area.  With Wright-Patterson Air Force Base regularly buzzing the campus with C-17’s and the presence of a very large ROTC program at the University, students at Wright State should be familiar with the military. However, an aspect of some military members’ lives that often goes unnoticed is that of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, more commonly referred to as PTSD.  Although PTSD is a disorder that can appear in anyone who has gone through a traumatic event, most research on it has been concentrated on its effect on military personnel. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, there are more than 200,000 cases of PTSD that have been documented from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Every year, the military conducts what is called the Military Times Poll.  The poll for 2012 showed that PTSD had risen significantly over the past year.  Of those serving on active duty, 22% of women and 14% of men stated that they had been diagnosed with PTSD.  This is an increase from 15% and 9% in 2011, respectively. According to Bill Wall of the Dayton Veterans Affairs office, 56% of veterans who return from a deployment suffer from musculoskeletal issues, followed by 52% of whom have mental disorders. “People are coming back with aches and pains, and are sometimes treated with narcotics, which may create dependency,” he said. This is significant to Wright State students due to the proximity of military operations. Wright State, as a very military-friendly campus, accommodates many students who are serving our nation in active duty, the reserves or in the National Guard. “Dayton’s Veterans Affairs reflects a conglomeration of all military members who return to southwest Ohio,” said Wall.  “There are different jobs in the military that have different exposures.” The Dayton Veterans Affairs office has seen a large problem with alcohol and drug abuse, as veterans try to “self-medicate.”  However, there are many options for those who either experience PTSD themselves or see signs in their peers.  Wright State has its own Veterans Affairs office that students can use as a resource in addition to the Dayton Veterans Affairs office.  Nationwide, the Department of Veterans Affairs believes that only half of military members struggling with PTSD have sought help.  There are many options, and, with the numbers of PTSD cases on the rise, it is imperative that those who may be affected by this disorder take advantage of the available resources.