PTSD and Anger in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans

PTSD and Anger in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans PTSD PTSD and the Military Print PTSD in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans By Matthew Tull, PhD twitter Matthew Tull, PhD is a professor of psychology at the University of Toledo, specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn about our editorial policy Matthew Tull, PhD Updated on October 14, 2019 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes & Risk Factors Treatment Living With In Children Geber86/E/Getty Images Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anger are common in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. In fact, Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans are at risk for a number of mental health problems. Studies have consistently shown that veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars exhibit high rates of PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders. Anger Problems in  Veterans A group of researchers looked at rates of PTSD and anger problems among a group of 117 Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans. Similar to other reports, the veterans they studied exhibited high rates of PTSD. In fact, about 40 percent had PTSD and an additional 18 percent almost had a PTSD diagnosis, or what is often referred to as subthreshold PTSD (they were struggling with some severe symptoms of PTSD but not quite enough symptoms to meet criteria for a full PTSD diagnosis). In addition, over half of the veterans with PTSD indicated that they had been aggressive in the past four months, such as threatening physical violence, destroying property, or having a physical fight with someone. Veterans experiencing subthreshold PTSD reported just about the same amount of aggressive behavior as the veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Veterans with PTSD and with almost a PTSD diagnosis were much more likely to be aggressive than those veterans without PTSD. Individuals with PTSD may have intense and unpredictable emotional experiences, and anger and aggressive behavior may be ways of establishing a sense of control. Anger may also be a way of trying to express or release tension connected to uncomfortable emotions often associated with PTSD, such as shame and guilt. Dealing With Anger Individuals with PTSD may be more likely to have problems controlling anger, and this study shows that problems with anger may occur soon after returning from combat. Anger can be a very difficult emotion to deal with and can lead to a number of legal and interpersonal problems, such as domestic violence. In fact, individuals with PTSD are particularly at risk for the perpetration of relationship violence. There are, however, a number of ways to manage anger. First, addressing symptoms of PTSD through therapy may also help reduce feelings of anger. Many treatments for PTSD even incorporate anger management skills. Learning more effective ways of coping with stress may also be helpful in managing anger and aggressive behavior. Some coping skills that may be particularly helpful are deep breathing, mindfulness, taking time-outs, and identifying the short- and long-term negative and positive consequences of different behaviors. The National Center for PTSD also provides some excellent information on the relationship between PTSD and anger, as well as a number of suggestions on how to better manage anger and aggressive behavior. The 7 Best Online Anger Management Classes

Explore the Major Perspectives in Social Psychology

Explore the Major Perspectives in Social Psychology Theories Social Psychology Print The Major Perspectives in Social Psychology By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on October 10, 2019 Paul Biris / Getty Images More in Theories Social Psychology Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology Have you ever wondered why people sometimes act differently when they are in a crowd? Or have you ever wondered how society at large influences your own behavior? Social psychologists look at these sorts of questions, but like many other fields within psychology, they often utilize different perspectives when looking at questions about social behavior. For example, when looking at a problem like aggression, one research might take an evolutionary perspective and look at how biology and genetic inheritance play a role in aggressive behavior. Another social psychologist might approach the same problem from the social learning perspective and try to analyze the various environmental influences that contribute to aggression including family, friends, and popular culture. 4 Major Perspectives Used by Social Psychologists Here are the major perspectives used by social psychologists: Sociocultural Perspective Stresses the importance of social norms and culture.Proposes that children learn behavior through problem-solving interactions with other children and adults. Through these interactions, they learn the values and norms of their society.Social psychologists using this perspective might look at how cultural norms and social influence impact social behavior. When considering something like aggression, for example, a person taking this perspective would look at how people are socialized to behave aggressively in certain situations. Sociocultural Theory: Examples and Applications Evolutionary Perspective Argues that social behaviors developed through genetics and inheritance.Emphasizes the role of biology and gene transmission across generations to explain current behavior.When looking at a social problem such as aggression, a psychologist taking this perspective would consider how genetics and evolutionary influences contributed to the development of the behavior. Social Learning Perspective Stresses the importance of unique experiences in family, school, community, etc.According to this viewpoint, we learn behaviors by observing and mimicking the behavior of others.In our earlier example of aggression, someone taking the social learning perspective would be interested in how people learn aggressive behaviors from parents, peers, and even media influences. Social-Cognitive Perspective Supports an information processing model of social behavior, where we notice, interpret, and judge the behavior of others.New experiences can either be assimilated (using already held beliefs to interpret the event) or accommodated (which involves changing existing beliefs in response to the event.)By understanding how information is processed, we can better understand how patterns of thoughts impact behavior. Social Cognition and the World Around Us Use of Perspectives While some social psychologists tend to have a dominant perspective, many researchers draw on a variety of theories when tackling a question or hypothesis. By understanding all of the many influences that contribute to social behavior, including culture, social learning, genetics, and individual differences, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the many forces that influence how people think and act in social situations. There are other theoretical perspectives in modern psychology that can be explored.

Work, School, Life Balance

Work, School, Life Balance Work, School, Life Balance Work, School, Life Balance Beginning university studies whether it is at the undergraduate or graduate level is an exciting venture. As the pressure of school mounts, students can quickly become overwhelmed in the attempt to balance work, school, and life. As a student, the constant feeling that I should always be doing something has often overwhelmed me. Being honest with myself and not making social commitments that I will not be able to follow through on, has been essential in helping me to maintain a grasp on school work as well as having somewhat of a social life. Remember, not everyone has completed university studies so friends and family may not be aware of your schedule or the demands that you are facing. Be honest with them so they can support you accordingly. If you choose to work during your program, make sure you are upfront with your employer. Explain your professional goals and make clear that pursuing education will contribute to the value you bring to the company or organization. Be clear about your expectations and have a frank discussion about the number of hours you can work without impeding on your studies. Draw on professional supports. Throughout my post secondary education it has been invaluable to have mentors who have given me professional and academic guidance. Feeling that people who have your best interest at heart support you, can be a saving grace during moments of overwhelm. Cut yourself some slack. Working, studying and keeping up with family and social events can take a toll if you are not dedicating enough time to taking care of yourself. Try to build self-care into your routine. Exercising and getting enough sleep are essential as you navigate through the demands of an educational program. Make sure you are taking breaks to recharge to feel rested and rejuvenated otherwise burn out is possible. You cannot do everything and often it is essential to rely on available resources to assist you in maintaining a sense of balance in your life. There are many options available on the Internet that students can access in order to help with their school and professional work. Make use of online resources such as Homework Help Canada. No matter what the academic need, Homework Help Canada can help complete anything from academic writing and term papers to scholarship applications and resumes. Academic studies are a challenging but exciting venture. Success in the academic world comes through drawing on supports and available resources and being honest to yourself and others about your needs. References: Acosta, G. (2013, June 19). Stretched Too Thin? Five Graduate Student Work-life Balance Tips. Retrieved August 31, 2015. 5 Tips to Achieve Your Optimal Work/School/Life Balance. (2014, December 8). Retrieved August 31, 2015. 5-tips-achieve-your-optimal-workschoollife-balance Work, School, Life Balance Work, School, Life Balance Work, School, Life Balance Beginning university studies whether it is at the undergraduate or graduate level is an exciting venture. As the pressure of school mounts, students can quickly become overwhelmed in the attempt to balance work, school, and life. As a student, the constant feeling that I should always be doing something has often overwhelmed me. Being honest with myself and not making social commitments that I will not be able to follow through on, has been essential in helping me to maintain a grasp on school work as well as having somewhat of a social life. Remember, not everyone has completed university studies so friends and family may not be aware of your schedule or the demands that you are facing. Be honest with them so they can support you accordingly. If you choose to work during your program, make sure you are upfront with your employer. Explain your professional goals and make clear that pursuing education will contribute to the value you bring to the company or organization. Be clear about your expectations and have a frank discussion about the number of hours you can work without impeding on your studies. Draw on professional supports. Throughout my post secondary education it has been invaluable to have mentors who have given me professional and academic guidance. Feeling that people who have your best interest at heart support you, can be a saving grace during moments of overwhelm. Cut yourself some slack. Working, studying and keeping up with family and social events can take a toll if you are not dedicating enough time to taking care of yourself. Try to build self-care into your routine. Exercising and getting enough sleep are essential as you navigate through the demands of an educational program. Make sure you are taking breaks to recharge to feel rested and rejuvenated otherwise burn out is possible. You cannot do everything and often it is essential to rely on available resources to assist you in maintaining a sense of balance in your life. There are many options available on the Internet that students can access in order to help with their school and professional work. Make use of online resources such as Homework Help USA. No matter what the academic need, Homework Help USA can help complete anything from academic writing and term papers to scholarship applications and resumes. Academic studies are a challenging but exciting venture. Success in the academic world comes through drawing on supports and available resources and being honest to yourself and others about your needs. References: Acosta, G. (2013, June 19). Stretched Too Thin? Five Graduate Student Work-life Balance Tips. Retrieved August 31, 2015. 5 Tips to Achieve Your Optimal Work/School/Life Balance. (2014, December 8). Retrieved August 31, 2015. 5-tips-achieve-your-optimal-workschoollife-balance