According to latest figures reported by the Defence Analytical Services and Advice, the number of military servicemen and women being diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has increased by nearly four times from 2008 to 2012.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a type of anxiety disorder caused by exposure to a life threatening event. Military personnel are at an increased risk of suffering from PTSD due to the nature of their jobs and the increasingly sophisticated techniques of enemy warfare.
According to official reports, between July and September of last year a total of 94 members of the armed forces were diagnosed as suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress disorder, this was compared with 25 individuals diagnosed in the same period 4 years before.
While these figures are indicating that there may be more people suffering from the anxiety disorder, it could actually be the case that the Ministry of Defence have become better at diagnosing PTSD or there is public awareness about the symptoms that mean that more people are able to get help.
According to the Telegraph, the Ministry of Defence is working closely with the Department of Health to ensure ‘robust systems’ are in place so that military personnel who are in need of mental health services after they return home receive the care and support that they need.
