| Photo by Blake Connally on Unsplash
Part of the cost the U.S. pays in securing the world against those who would infringe on freedom and fundamental human rights are the cases of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that develop among the service personnel who are sent to the frontlines. PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event.
PTSD can result from various types of traumatic events, including military combat, physical or sexual assault, natural and man-made disasters, serious accidents, and witnessing violence or death
PTSD manifestations can be grouped into four categories:
- Intrusive Memories – recurrent, unwanted memories of the traumatic event, flashbacks, or nightmares.
- Avoidance – Efforts to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event and avoiding places, activities, or people that remind the person of the event.
- Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood – Negative thoughts about oneself or others, feelings of hopelessness, difficulty maintaining close relationships, and lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
- Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions – always being on guard for danger, being easily startled or frightened, self-destructive behavior, trouble sleeping, and irritability or angry outbursts.
PTSD is diagnosed based on the presence of specific symptoms for more than one month after the traumatic event, causing significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Treatment of PTSD often includes a combination of psychotherapy (Talk Therapy), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are commonly used.
Some patients may require antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and other medications may be prescribed to help manage symptoms.
Support groups that connect patients with others who have experienced similar traumas can provide emotional support.
“The societal cost of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is indeed staggering. A study estimated the annual economic burden of PTSD in the United States at $230B for 2018. This figure includes both direct healthcare costs (such as medical and pharmacy expenses) and indirect costs (like unemployment, productivity loss, and caregiving).”
Prompt intervention and appropriate treatment are crucial for managing PTSD and improving the quality of life for those affected.
The societal cost of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is indeed staggering. A study estimated the annual economic burden of PTSD in the United States at $230B for 2018. This figure includes both direct healthcare costs (such as medical and pharmacy expenses) and indirect costs (like unemployment, productivity loss, and caregiving).
Direct healthcare costs are the expenses related to medical treatment and therapy for individuals with PTSD.
Indirect costs include costs related to unemployment, disability payments, and premature mortality.
Civilians account for over 80% of the total costs, while military personnel and veterans make up the remaining 18%. The annual cost per person with PTSD is estimated to be $18,000 for civilians and $25,000 for military personnel and veterans.
The high societal cost underscores the importance of increasing awareness, improving access to effective treatments, and expanding evidence-based recovery programs to reduce the burden of PTSD.
Fraud and abuse also contribute to hidden costs of PTSD. There is no lack of enterprise among the professions and disability claimants. It is apparent that, as with other highly susceptible disciplines to perceptive manipulation and the skill and experience of the clinician, PTSD presents a challenge in terms of weeding out the corrupt among the legitimate cases.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Crispin Fernandez advocates for overseas Filipinos, public health, transformative political change, and patriotic economics. He is also a community organizer, leader, and freelance writer.
