Thursday, March 11, 2010

Suffering In Silence May Lead To Chronic Pain


The military is a place where strength and determination are the core values. In a culture that relies on persistence under adversity, acknowledgement of pain is a sign of weakness. That is why many soldiers experiencing post traumatic stress disorder and depression prefer to suffer in silence.

Veterans coming from a war assignment definitely have horrible memories of their survival. The sounds of explosions and gunfire, as well as the shrieks of friends and enemies alike may linger in their ears for a long period of time. Scenes of shooting and people dying may continue to haunt them even long after the dead bodies have been buried.

Suffering in silence can only compound the problem. The trauma of war can cause severe stress and anxiety and may lead to other serious medical conditions. Experts associate PTSD to a life of chronic pain. They usually experience severe headaches and anxiety attacks. Without proper treatment, these invisible aching wounds of war can ruin not only the soldier's life, but also the lives of the people around him. And since pain and depression usually go hand in hand, both conditions need to be treated at the same time.

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