One of the most severe mental health issues facing military personnel is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Exposure to traumatic events, like combat or witnessing a horrific event, can lead to this condition. The symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and suicidal thoughts.
Symptoms of PTSD:
1. Intrusive Memories: These can include flashbacks or nightmares of the traumatic event.
2. Avoidance: Avoiding activities, places, people, or conversations related to the traumatic event.
3. Negative Thinking and Mood: Difficulty recalling details of the traumatic event, distorted beliefs about oneself or the world, an inability to experience positive emotions.
4. Arousal and Reactivity: Difficulty sleeping or concentrating, irritability, angry outbursts, exaggerated startle response.
5. Hypervigilance: Feeling easily startled or overly alert.
If you suffer from PTSD, it is vital to seek treatment. Various therapies can be used in combination with counselling, medication, and medication. The problem is that such treatments are often not covered by military medical insurance, which causes even more stress.
The help available for PTSD sufferers.
There is an array of sources available for UK Armed Forces members with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Firstly, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) runs a dedicated program for members of the armed forces suffering from PTSD – the Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (DMHWS).
Through this service, members of the Armed Forces can access a range of support, including psychotherapeutic treatment, assistance with alcohol and drug-related issues and sleep management.
Other helpful sources of assistance include Combat Stress, the armed forces mental health charity, which provides specialist treatment and support for veterans experiencing mental health problems such as PTSD, and Help for Heroes, an organization committed to providing practical services and support to those affected by PTSD.
Fortunately, veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD can receive compensation by seeking legal help if they can prove that the disorder is related to their time in the service.
Claiming compensation for PTSD.
In order to be eligible to claim compensation for PTSD, veterans must provide evidence that their symptoms are directly linked to their time in the armed forces. The best way to prove a link between PTSD and military service is to provide medical documentation, such as medical records, reports from physicians and mental health professionals, as well as documentation of any symptoms experienced while in service. Supporting documentation could include evidence of traumatic events that occurred while serving, and testimonials from fellow service personnel.
The amount of compensation for PTSD in the Armed Forces depends on the severity of the disability. Generally, the higher the disability rating assigned, the more compensation a veteran can receive.
If you or someone you know has developed PTSD as a result of service in the armed forces, then do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are dedicated to helping you get the compensation that you deserve for the stress and trauma that you have experienced. We will work with you throughout the entire process to ensure that your case is taken seriously and that you receive the compensation that you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how to proceed with filing a claim and get the help that you deserve.