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SGB Treatment for PTSD
Upon his return to civilian life after having served in Afghanistan and Iraq, Army Sergeant Sean Messett struggled with PTSD. Having tried therapy and medication management with no relief, Sergeant Messett heard another veteran speak on a podcast regarding an injection, or stellate ganglion block (SBG), that he had just received himself. With the help of Hanover's For the Love of a Veteran Inc., Sergeant Messett received this injection, and it has changed his life.
SGB treatment consists of a localized injection of insulin into the individual’s stellate ganglion nerves, which are part of the sympathetic nervous system. This consists of a bundle of nerves that are directly connected to the sympathetic nerve, which triggers the body’s reaction to situations of stress or danger. This in turn causes the amygdala to release hormones that produce the fight or flight response. In the case of an individual whose amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex within the frontal lobe have been dramatically changed by trauma, this person can exhibit extremely emotional, angry, fearful or violent responses and/or reactions. The insulin injection serves to reprogram or restart one’s system, working to return it to normal functioning, pre-trauma.
Studies have shown that success rates range from 80-90%, results are immediate and can last from months to years dependent upon the patient’s needs and response to the injection. While SGB is not a cure, it greatly assists with talk therapy, as it allows patients to be able to think clearer and slow down their mind which was previously always on high alert. Individuals report being able to rest, decrease anger, stress and anxiety, and to reconnect with loved ones.
Quincy Kasper is another veteran who has benefited from the SGB injection. As an advocate for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, he states: ““The only way we’re going to be able to continue to help people and continue to move forward with this is to be talking about it. Because, again, mental health has such a stigma.” (Kasper, Q., 2022). With the overall successfulness of SGB treatment, perhaps more individuals will feel less stigmatized and feel more comfortable in seeking the help they may need.
References:
Escalante, A. (2021). Helping PTSD With A Shot: The New Treatments That Are Changing Lives. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisonescalante/2021/02/02/curing-ptsd-with-a-shot-the-new-treatments-that-are-changing-lives/?sh=55ff1ed06912
Mediak, G. (2022). Injection helping veterans manage PTSD symptoms. Fox43. Retrierved from: https://www.fox43.com/article/features/sbg-insulin-injection-veterans-ptsd-stellate-ganglion-block/521-49967b48-9e4c-42a1-a2ff-2bdfbed02b46
Rousseau, D. (2022). Neurobiology of Trauma. Module 3. Boston University Metropolitan College.
SGB for Vets (2022). Treatment for PTSD. Retrieved from: https://www.sgbforvets.com
Sutherland, D. (2022). Veteran gets effective PTSD relief through injections. 7WSAW-TV. Retrieved from: https://www.wsaw.com/2022/11/19/veteran-gets-effective-ptsd-relief-through-injections/
Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. New York, NY: Viking.
Yoga Blog post
For my blog post, I decided to expand on my previous discussion post and use a visual representation to promote the benefits of yoga for physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. As I mentioned in my earlier post “ My older brother has brain stem damage due to repeated concussions from playing sports which has slightly altered bits of his personality, making him more hot tempered for example, as well as (we believe) played a part in helping with the onset of some mental and emotional struggles he's dealt with other the past few years. Yoga was one of the first therapies he used that helped him to feel better both physically and mentally.” When I was younger both my parents had also practiced yoga to a small extent and had tried to get my brother and I involved but as children this was difficult because we found it hard to sit still and make that mind-body connection because we couldn’t understand it. Now after COVID (which my family used as a period for fitness, mostly to burn energy so we didn’t turn our pent up energy on each other) my brother as I said, my father, and myself all have used yoga as a mindfulness practice just as much as a physical workout. This semesters readings finally made that connection for me. I never understood the why behind Yoga as a intersectional wellness activity until now. One of the pieces I did not mention in my previous post but I found enlightening is that many of the intimate actions in yoga, such as the happy baby pose, can be triggering for some individuals, the idea of mimicking of movements that occurred during their traumatic experiences causes many to freeze. It is not until individuals can learn to breathe, push through, and maintain this pose or the physical touch of an instructor that they can “let go” or feel the relief of a deep breath and begin to relax. Now while I do not have the same experiences as these individuals, I can feel this sense of relief on a smaller scale, when I can finally hold a pose or a certain muscle that has been tight all week finally relaxed through my yoga movements it is a relief and also gives me a sense of pride as I have been able to accomplish what many from the outside see as a simple task but to me it takes the discipline of both my mind and body working together to do it. I also think that yoga, or any workout routine can also assist in the treatment of trauma. As we’ve mentioned in both lecture and posts throughout the semester, people who are mentally suffering are often unable to lead goal driven lives, they are too focused on the now. So these workout routines not only require forethought and planning by the individual but also creates easily understandable goals, such as holding a pose to a certain amount of time or gaining the flexibility to even be in a certain pose at all.
Van der Kolk, Bessel . The Body Keeps the Score. Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition
Rousseau, Danielle, Lecture, Trauma and Crisis Intervention.
Trauma’s Effect On the Brain
Trauma impacts an individual’s body physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether someone has experienced abuse, war, accidents, natural disasters, any violence, etc., the body creates imprints of these memories on the brain and body causing major changes. While these changes and reactions are detrimental to someone’s health, there are ways to heal from traumas and help individuals keep living their lives. Due to the impact on the brain and body, a person’s life can be flipped around without much understanding of why. Sometimes, the hardest element to consider for someone affected by trauma is understanding the neurological aspect of what has happened to them, what it means in terms of their lives, why it affects them the way it does, and how healing is possible with these unchanging effects.
Before turning to criminal justice, I began as a psychology undergrad. In this time, a main component we learned of was the “3-part brain” or the Triune Brain model (also mentioned in Rousseau’s Module 3). In this model, it is said that there are three parts that make up the brain: the brain stem (reptilian), the limbic/midbrain (mammalian), and the cortex/forebrain (neommalian). The Reptilian is responsible for survival instincts and automatic body functions, the mammalian is responsible for emotions and sensory input, and the neommalian is responsible for decision-making, learning, and memory. All three components are impacted during a traumatic experience, some more than others. The reptilian brain (survival instinct) takes over during a trauma triggering fight or flight and turning off all non-essential bodily functions. Typically, after a traumatic experience has ended, the body is able to switch back to homeostasis- reducing the fight or flight hormones and returning the non-essential bodily functions. For those individuals who end up developing PTSD, however, this switch back to homeostasis never happens. The reptilian brain never returns function to the rest of the other brain areas, leaving them in a continuous state of reactive mode. This reactive mode leaves individuals with symptoms that they don’t understand (PTSD symptoms like mood swings, being easily startled/triggered, having undesirable memories, etc.). This leaves people feeling a loss of control over their own thoughts, decisions, and functions.
The brain itself goes through a biological change after trauma. Several things happen that wouldn’t happen to a brain that has not experienced trauma. A major piece of the brain (and my personal favorite to talk about) is the amygdala. This small formation located close to the center of the brain is responsible for processing threatening stimuli and activating the appropriate response. It also connects emotions to certain memories. In a traumatic situation, the amygdala becomes overstimulated and starts processing everything as a threat. Another crucial piece of the brain is the hippocampus. This part of the brain oversees learning and memory. To create memories, the hippocampus must make synaptic connections (between neurons, as noted in Rousseau’s Module 3) letting the body know that something is in the past and not happening currently- a memory. When the hormones from the fight or flight response are flooding through the body, they kill the cells that carry out these synaptic connections, making it challenging to let the body know that a traumatic event is over and in the past. This leaves the body in a continuous state of reactive mode. Lastly, the SNS (or sympathetic nervous system) manages that fight or flight mode; it releases epinephrine (adrenaline) into the bloodstream. With everything happening with the amygdala and the hippocampus, the SNS is constantly elevated and stressed unable to regulate or pass off to the parasympathetic nervous system, which would restore the body back to normal function and keep it from overworking. The combination of the three function dysregulations alters someone’s mind and body.
These changes, if left untreated can be detrimental. Thankfully, with what we know today about healing and PTSD, we know that healing is possible. All three brain areas can be restored to normal function, reducing the effects of trauma and sometimes eradicating PTSD symptoms fully. Individuals’ healing processes are all different and need to be treated as such in order to help create change.
References
Smith, I. (2021, September 22). How does trauma affect the brain? - and what it means for you. Whole Wellness Therapy. Retrieved December 2022, from https://www.wholewellnesstherapy.com/post/trauma-and-the-brain
Rousseau, D. (2022). Module 1: Introduction to Trauma. Boston University.
Rousseau, D. (2022). Module 2: Childhood Trauma. Boston University.
Rousseau, D. (2022). Module 3: Neurobiology of Trauma. Boston University.
Rousseau, D. (2022). Module 4: Pathways to Recovery: Understanding Approaches to Trauma Treatment. Boston University.
Theraputic Avenues for First Responders
Police Officer's and many other first responders have experienced trauma in many different ways. The job entails not knowing what you are going to be experiencing on the other side of the call. Many first responders hear that there is an accident that they have to respond to but they don't know that the accident could be fatal. Unfortunately, they are here to work for the community and with the community, so they can't just turn their eyes when going to the scene of a fatal accident. They actually have to take it a step further and assess the situation and make sure everything and everyone is safe before proceeding on with their investigation. Accidents and other different traumatic events can take a toll on officers and many other first responders like fire fighters, and EMT's. One of the solutions to this problem of dealing with traumatic situations is having therapy or (Critical Incident Stress Management) ready for the first responders when they get back to their station after their hard work out in the field. CISM offers meetings and privacy when talking about tough situations like the ones mentioned above.
“Police service is an inherently stressful occupation, which often results in both physical (e.g., cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal problems) and psychological symptoms (increased depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder; e.g.,” (Berg et al., 2006). Members of the community don’t usually understand the traumatic events police officers and other first responders go through day in and day out. After responding to the scene of an accident, many of them feel they need to stand tall and not worry about what they might have just experienced at the scene. They try to bottle it up inside themselves and they can’t let anyone know that they are weak or can’t perform the duties of their job due to their weakness of seeing someone that has been deceased due to an accident or a harmful act from another's actions.
CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) is a form of therapy for first responders and anyone who has experienced a traumatic event. An example of a critical incident is as follows “Critical incidents often include a component of life threat and may range from being threatened (e.g., with a knife or gun) to direct exposure and/or injury (e.g., accidental or intentional)” (Maguen et. al, 2009). CISM provides strategies to cope with these stressors. “The critical incident stress management strategies are very effective at lessening the burden on the officers, relieving some of the tension that they're feeling, and giving them some strategies and coping mechanisms that are healthy” (Abbott). In this case, we are talking about first responders and their trauma coming from a scene where there has been a death. CISM has two ways of bringing in the first responders to therapy. One of the ways is diffusing, which is a meeting that takes place with a therapist or mental health clinician right after they return to the station. This meeting will consist of having all responders to the call that was traumatic sit down and talk about what happened, what were some of the worst things that occurred at the call, etc. Basically, it is a chatting session to get the first responders to express how they are feeling and get some info off of their chest at the time after the call. The next part of the CISM strategy is debriefing. The Debriefing period happens a couple weeks after the incident. This is basically a follow-up period where the same group of first responders sits down and talks about what happened and what they have done to get their minds back on track. This is also a point in time when the therapist or the mental health clinician can help them to further their therapy if they need it. They will be able to provide different resources to benefit their well being and help them to get back on their feet. Having this program will help the officers and other first responders cope with the trauma they have been dealing with and make sure that they know they aren’t alone in this situation, they are always going to have someone that will have their back in making sure they have anything and everything they need.
Some of the fears that officers and other first responders have are losing their job, being reassigned, or having their licenses taken away which would prevent them from being able to complete their duties. In this case, police officers could lose their job, get reassigned to admin duties until they are back on their feet, or lose their license to carry a firearm within their department and state. All of these factors can lead to someone becoming depressed, which can then lead them to feel weak. They can prevent these types of things from happening if they get the help they need at the time when they need it the most.
I feel that all police and fire departments should have a mental health clinician on hand when there are traumatic events going on within the sector that the officers and firefighters are patrolling. Many police departments are now starting to hire mental health clinicians to help with the public needs and deal with many different mental health situations that police departments deal with on a daily basis. Along with the clinicians, I feel that CISM and CISD should be incorporated to make sure that first responders are getting the attention they need when they return from the scene. This is important for their well being and for their mental state of mind after experiencing tragic and traumatic events such as death.
References:
Berg AM, Hem E, Lau B, Ekeberg Ø. An exploration of job stress and health in the Norwegian police service: A cross sectional study. J Occup Med Toxicol. 2006; 1:26. Available at: http://www.occup-med.com/content/1/1/26. [PubMed: 17156489]
Maguen, Metzler, T. J., Mccaslin, S. E., Inslicht, S. S., Henn-Haase, C., Neylan, T. C., & Marmar, C. R. (2009). Routine work environment stress and PTSD symptoms in police officers. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 197(10), 754–760.
(n.d.). Two Primary CISM Strategies.
Restorative Justice in Young Adult Courts
The Use of Restorative Justice in Mitigating Young Adult Criminal Offenses
Three core concepts of Restorative Justice:
- Holding Offenders Accountable
- Repairing Harm to Victims
- Providing Support for Reintegration into the Community
This new concept is being trialed in several courts throughout the United States.
Young Adults (ages 18-25) are often referred to as emerging adults. We know that in the Criminal Justice System, juvenile offenders are afforded consideration based on their development, not only physically but also emotionally and cognitively. This category of offenders should also be treated as a separate group. Psychologists, physicians, and scientists have recognized the differences these young adults present concerning how they are intersectionally involved with the criminal justice system. Young adults have yet to fully form the cognitive or emotionally necessary development to appreciate the consequences of their impulsive actions. Innovative courts are responding to these theories and developing alternative methods of accountability.
One example is the Restorative Community Court in Cook County, Nevada. Participants must meet the following criteria:
- Be 18 to 26
- Have been charged with a nonviolent felony or misdemeanor
- Live, work or worship in one of the neighborhoods which has a community court
- Have a nonviolent criminal history
- Accept responsibility for the harm caused
“Twenty-nine young men and women now have clean slates after graduating from a six to nine-month-long program teaching participants conflict resolution and job skills. It even provides emotional support for overcoming trauma.” (Chicago, 2022)
This Program allows young people a chance to have a fresh start in an already stacked world. I am dedicated to spreading the word about such initiatives and hope to bring such ideas to my office.
Chicago, E. N. (2022, June 29). Cook County Restorative Justice Program Offers Second Chance for young, Nonviolent Offenders.
Deborah Sonagere December 8, 2022
The Neurobiology of Trauma. The Science Behind Trauma.
It is important to understand the neurobiology of trauma because it is important for people to understand how their brain effects their body. The University of Northern Colorado states that "the neurobiology of trauma--essentially the effects of trauma on the brain--is important to understand because it helps break down common misconceptions and victim-blaming about gender-based violence and it helps survivors to understand their experience and the aftermath in a new way" (University of Northern Colorado, 2022). Understanding the various ways in which trauma impacts the body allows people to victims to fully grasp their trauma, and can help guide them on their path of healing. Also understanding the ways in which the mind and body are connected may allow the victim to fully understand and comprehend their trauma. It allows them to understand why they may have acted/or not reacted the way they did in a situation. A substantial part of someone's trauma may stem from the way they acted during the traumatic event. Often times people can become so locked into what they did or did not during that time. By understanding the neurobiology of trauma it can be a huge stepping stone in the healing process for a trauma victim. "Decades of research into the neurobiology of trauma tells us that there are three responses humans (and many mammals) have to terrifying situations: fight, flight, AND freeze" (University of Northern Colorado, 2022). Copious amounts of research in Neurobiology has lead to the progression of trauma treatment and has had a significant impact on the field of psychology and the way that professionals conduct treatment.
Neurobiology plays a powerful role in ameliorating the impact of trauma. Understanding the neurobiology of trauma debunks and breaks down the myths from the facts in terms of trauma. It dismantles the common misconceptions that are often associated with trauma. It also breaks down stigmas that are often associated with individuals that suffer from trauma. Far too often stigma, rudeness and meanness from others is due to a lack of understanding. By teaching professionals working the world about the neurobiology behind trauma, as well as people out in the world, we might be able to dismantle myths and stigmatization surround trauma. Overall, understanding the various ways in which the mind effects the body is key in trauma treatment.
Sources:
University of Northern Colorado. (2022). Neurobiology of trauma. Retrieved Nov. 16, 2022.
University of Northern Colorado. (2022). Neurbiology of trauma: Dismantling common misconceptions and victim blaming statements about sexual violence. Retrieved Nov 16, 2022.
https://www.unco.edu/assault-survivors-advocacy-program/pdf/neurobio_trauma.pdf
Sexual Offenses & Treatment
When I first started working in the criminal justice system in Montana, I was convinced that I would never be able to work with offenders who have committed sexual offenses. I thought that I knew too many people who had been assaulted and had too many personal experiences and that it would be incredibly difficult for me to be able to work with those types of offenders and remain unbiased. While it is not an easy population to work with due to the varying types of offenses (some of which are incredibly difficulty to learn about), for the most part they are also some of the easiest due to the fact that most of the time they are going through some of the most intense treatment and because they usually are not treated very well at other facilities, so they tend to follow the rules a little more strictly. This is not to say that every type of sexual offender is like this, but I would say that the majority that I have worked with are.
Something that I find really interesting about sexual offenses is the amount of different things that an individual can do to end up with the label of “sex offender.” Anything from streaking at a football game or urinating in public to assaulting multiple people can get you the same label. While I agree that there should be consequences for all of these actions, I do not believe that someone who streaks at a football game should be treated the same as someone who has assaulted multiple people. In my eyes, those crimes are not the same and I think that treating them the same could do more harm than good. Research has shown that when you mix high risk offenders with low risk offenders, the low risk offenders increase their risk instead of high risk offenders lowering their risk. This applies across the board for all types of offenders. A lot of cases that I work with in Montana are statutory cases, meaning that the offender assaulted someone who was either below the age of consent (16 in Montana) or the offender was 18 at the time and the survivor was younger than that. Statutory cases are difficult because the circumstances vary, so even within those types of situations there is an incredible amount of difference from one crime to another. Currently, treatment includes groups sessions as well as individual sessions with an LCSW or similarly licensed counselor. There are workbooks and various assignments that offenders work through, but they are all covering the same material regardless of what their specific crime is. Implementing a blanket form of treatment for anyone isn't usually the best course of action, but especially with such differences in crimes, in my mind there is no way that each person is getting their needs met and their problem areas addressed.
I am in no way advocating for there to be no treatment or consequences for sexual offenses, I am instead advocating for there to be more treatment options and that we do a better job of considering the circumstances for the offense before just assigning blanket treatment. I understand that that takes more time as well as requires more staffing to accommodate more types of treatment, but I ultimately think that it would be beneficial to have a system more tailored to specific offenses and that allows for higher risk offenders to be separated from the lower risk ones.
Self Care
Self-care can be different for everyone. It is a way to help keep balance in an individual's life. Self-care is beneficial not only mentally but physically and spiritually as well.
Life is full of stressors; work, school, family responsibilities, etc. If we don’t take time to take care of ourselves we could suffer from burnout, anxiety, or depression.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration mentions the eight dimensions of wellness; Emotional, Environmental, Financial, Intellectual, Occupational, Physical, Social, and Spiritual (SAMHSA).
Emotional
This means taking time to understand how you’re feeling. Suppressing emotions isn’t good for mental health. Instead, try finding a healthy outlet. This can take several different forms, find one that fits your lifestyle.
Environmental
Going out for fresh air and getting a change of scenery can help ease your mind. Do things to help the environment, like buying reusable products in order to keep waste at a minimum.
Financial
Developing a financial plan and budget can help ease financial burden. Knowing how much you need to set aside and save can be helpful to keep in the future. Keeping a budget can also help you save for the future.
Intellectual
Take time to study something new, read a new book, or try a new hobby. Find something new to learn that you enjoy. Maybe it’s a dance class or a community college class that you’ve been wanting to take.
Occupational
Maybe it’s time for a change. Apply for new jobs or update your resume. Look for a way to get promoted in your current job. Plan for your future and find new ways to find happiness in what you're doing now.
Physical
This could be exercising, going for a walk, or a hike. It could be trying a new healthy recipe or getting a good night's rest. Start doing little things to improve your health.
Social
See friends and family, and go out. Volunteer, and use healthy social media. Reach out to people you haven’t seen in a while.
Spiritual
Do some yoga and be mindful of those around you. Heal your inner mind and find peace in the world around you.
Some ideas of things to do to take care of mental well-being can be exercising, eating well, drinking water, and keeping a healthy sleep schedule. The word exercise may seem daunting but even just going for a walk around the neighborhood can help clear one’s head. The foods we eat can have a big impact on the way we feel. Sometimes it may seem like there’s no time to prepare a healthy meal, but eating healthy snacks can be just as good. Instead of a bag of chips and a soda, maybe try some carrots or an apple with peanut butter. Having a good sleep schedule may be difficult because of conflicts like work. Prioritizing as much sleep as possible and keeping it during a consistent time can help us feel more alert and better during our day.
Individuals may feel that there might not be enough time during the busy week to practice self-care. Just 10-15 minutes daily can be beneficial. Doing a face mask, doing some reading, or just sitting down to practice breathing can ease our minds. Even just 10 minutes of stretching or yoga in the morning can also help us seize the day and feel refreshed.
Self-care doesn’t need to take lots of time but it should be done consistently in order to see results. It will not only benefit mental but physical health as well. Taking a pause or a breather from reality for a little bit can help us deal with it better.
References
ITgroup. (2021, November 4). The importance of self-care - tri-state memorial hospital. Tri. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://tristatehospital.org/the-importance-of-self-care/
Learn the eight dimensions of wellness - substance abuse and mental ... (n.d.). Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma16-4953.pdf
Matthew Glowiak Apr 14, 2020, Jun 3, 2022 H., May 24, 2022 H., & May 17, 2022 H. (n.d.). What is self-care and why is it important for you? Southern New Hampshire University. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/health/what-is-self-care
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Caring for your mental health. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health
Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma can be a complex matter and can often go unseen. majority of the time children do not know how to deal or understand the affects of trauma and therefore try to forget about it and act like everything is fine or act as if nothing ever happened. When trauma is not dealt with in the proper way then it can cause different problems for a person as they grow older. For instance, a child could start acting out and participating in criminal activities, or start having mental problems such as anxiety or depression. children should not be afraid of dealing with trauma or going to someone for help, but at the same time parents and other adults who are close to the child should do their best to help the child if they go to them for help and not make them feel like what they are going through is not a problem or make them feel like they are over reacting. I feel like some parents are not aware of how trauma can affect a child or maybe they do not know how to help them so they just ignore the issue. I think there needs to be more resources especially in schools where children and adults are informed on how to receive help and also how to help a child through a traumatic event. when a child is suffering from anxiety or other mental illnesses caused by a traumatic affect we often do not know the signs or symptoms or they resemble other illnesses and therefore go undiagnosed or just left alone until a bigger problem is created. I have personal experience in this as I am a victim of childhood trauma that was not handled in the proper ways growing up. although I did not participate in any criminal activity I was never sure how to handle my anxiety or depression and my family never noticed what was wrong and kind of swept it under the rug until I was older, but even then they never tried to help me through my anxiety or depression. It wasn't until I started going to therapy that I finally got my anxiety and depression under control and have an easier time handling it than when I was a child
Veterans with PTSD more likely to have justice-system involvement than those without.
The criminal justice system refers to governmental on nongovernmental bodies that have a primary purpose of managing the accused individuals and criminals' convicts. The criminal justice system involves police officers, court, and correction officers. Every person is equal before the law in any country. However, some groups in society have some advantages over others, such that they will have more of the justice system involved than others. For example, veterans or military members, like any other person, are eligible to face the law if they get into criminal activities. It is assumed that veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder are more likely to have the justice system involved than those without PTSD (Smith, 2018). This essay explains why veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder are more likely to have the justice system involved than those without PTSD.
Veterans often involve themselves in severe encounters and fatal scenes, which can contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder development. PSTD is a mental disorder that may significantly affect veterans' psychological well-being, resulting in their involvement in criminal activities. Veterans with PSTD are more likely to have the justice system involved than those without PSTD because the former have a higher prevalence of committing crimes or getting involved in criminal-related activities due to impaired cognitive functions. Most of the time, veterans may have a PSTD. Still, it is undiagnosed such that whenever they get involved in criminal activities, the justice system will handle them just as other everyday people do without looking into the causative factor that made them involved in the criminal activity.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a critical factor that raises veterans' risk of criminal justice involvement. Most veterans who, at one point in their life, participated in combat encounters and involvement in the traumatizing event play a significant role in their criminal behavior. For instance, most veterans are more likely to respond with anger and brutality during a combat encounter. Such responses later may contribute to a person getting into a criminal offense, which requires the justice system's involvement. According to the general strain theory, the risk of involving oneself in criminal activity is higher in someone who has experienced a traumatizing or scary event and has reported adverse effects such as anger or irritability. The veteran, in this case, becomes a perfect candidate because of their involvement in traumatic activities hence displaying criminal behaviors (Camins, 2019). According to various studies done on the association of veterans with post-traumatic disorder and involvement in the criminal justice system, it was found that veterans with PSTD who have at least once shown anger or irritability have a higher probability of being arrested as compared to those without post-traumatic stress disorder, anger outburst, and irritability.
Most of the veterans get themselves engaged in criminal activities due to PTSD that is undiagnosed. Most of the time, veterans who get convicted and incarcerated without being assessed for post-traumatic stress disorder end up worsening their condition due to the situation and circumstances they are exposed to while in jails and prisons. Even though the criminal justice system usually conducts mental health assessment and screening, screening for Post-traumatic stress disorder is not a universal requirement in prisons and jails; hence high chances of missing out on veterans convicted of crimes while having PSTD and this, in turn, affects their recovery because they will not have an opportunity to access better treatment.
One study on the relationship between combat exposure, crime, and veteran with PSTD revealed no association between combat exposure and crimes committed by veterans. However, the studies found that the prevalence of criminal justice involvement was sixty-one percent (61%) higher among veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder than veterans without any mental disorder (Finlay et al., 2019). Individuals of the male gender were more involved as compared to the females. Post-traumatic stress disorder was found to have a close connection with violent offenses. Examples of violent offenses the veterans with PTSD involved include sexual assault on others, physical assault, and robbery with violence. In connecting PSTD and violence, it was found that most veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder were guilty of committing violent crimes such as physical and sexual assaulting their victims.
In summation, veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder have a higher prevalence of involvement with the criminal justice system than those without PTSD. Therefore, it is of the essence to install effective measures in the health care facilities and criminal justice system, such as screening for PSTD to help veterans with PSTD. Most veterans with PSTD convicted of various crimes in the criminal justice system end up worsening their condition due to the harsh environment in jails and prisons. The adequate screening will enable the identification of post-traumatic stress disorder clients. Even if convicted in the criminal justice system, they will be in a better position to receive special attention and treatment. Adequate screening of veterans before convicting them will help provide better treatment, reducing the link of PSTD veterans to the criminal justice system.
References
Camins, J. S. (2019). Predicting Justice Contact in Veterans with PTSD: The Incremental Validity of Specific Risk Factors (Doctoral dissertation). https://shsu-ir.tdl.org/handle/20.500.11875/2854.
Finlay, A. K., Owens, M. D., Taylor, E., Nash, A., Capdarest-Arrest, N., Rosenthal, J., & Timko, C. (2019). A scoping review of military veterans involved in the criminal justice system and their health and healthcare. Health & Justice, 7(1), 1-18. https://healthandjusticejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40352-019-0086-9/
Smith, B. A. (2018, July). Impact of veteran status and timing of PTSD diagnosis on criminal justice outcomes. In Healthcare (Vol. 6, No. 3, p. 80). MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/315046.