Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in civilians vs. military
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the main psychological challenge affecting veterans. According to Gaylord, Holcomb and Zolezzi (2009), up to thirty percent of combat veterans suffer from PTSD. In addition, up to 20 percent non-injured war veterans suffer from PTSD (Gaylord, Holcomb, & Zolezzi, 2009). With respect to civilians, victims of burns are more susceptible to PTSD than others. However, it is evident that PTSD is more common in military personnel than civilians.
Personality Disorders (PDs)
These are mental disorders that occur following maladaptive cognition, inner experience, and behaviors, manifested across many spheres and contradict societally acceptable behaviors (Kreger, 2008). These disorders develop in the early stages of a person’s life and trigger serious disability or distress. These disorders have now been classified in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-5. When one has behavior that impaired occupational or social functioning, he or she is said to have a personality disorder (Kreger, 2008). The epidemiology of these disorders between men and women varies depending on the type of disorder. For instance, borderline personality disorder is more common in women than men. Men are genetically competent to address the emotional disturbances that take center stage in borderline personality disorder; that is why this disorder is less common in men.
Narcissism
This disorder takes center stage when an individual becomes arrogant and unbearable in pursuit of admiration or recognition. A person with this disorder is preoccupied with individual power and adequacy, prestige, as well as vanity at the expense of their own and others wellbeing (Groopman & Cooper, 2006). This disorder has also been classified in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-5. Narcissism is not central in all personality disorders because personality disorders vary on the account of symptoms/manifestations. Scholars such as Theodore Millon studied PDs extensively; to him, they present slightly different clinical symptoms from other psychological disorders.
References
Gaylord, K., Holcomb, J., & Zolezzi, M. (2009). A comparison of posttraumatic stress disorder between combat casualties and civilians treated at a military burn center. J Trauma, 66(4), S191-5. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e31819d9c21.
Groopman, L., & Cooper, A. (2006). "Narcissistic Personality Disorder". Personality Disorders – Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Yerevan: Armenian Medical Network.
Kreger, Randi (2008). The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder: New Tools and Techniques to Stop Walking on Eggshells. Center City, Minn: Hazeldenc.
