Returning home from Vietnam and programs that are in place today Research Paper

Returning home from Vietnam and programs that are in place today - Research Paper Example While still in the battlefront in Vietnam, American soldiers developed indiscipline, engaged in drug abuse and racial conflict. These unruly behaviors continued even after the war. The soldiers could not integrate smoothly with the society back at home. In addition, when the soldiers returned home from the Vietnam War there was not any programs in place for them to become acclimated back into society. The United States Government then took the initiative to research and developed several programs to aid in the successful transformation from military to civilian lifestyle for the soldier. This paper will explore the timeline between the Vietnam War and programs that are now available to returning soldiers today. The article explores the Posttraumatic stress syndrome experienced by returning soldiers upon return from wars. Finally, the paper looks into the measures that have been instituted to address posttraumatic stress disorders among soldiers. According to DSM (209) post traumatic stress disorder occurs when a person witnesses, experiences, or is confronted with occurrences that threatened a serious injury, death or that involved actual death. The response of the victim involves extreme shock, helplessness and intense fear. It is a psychiatric disorder and not a mental health problem. Soldiers experience horrific scene while at the war front. The scenes of dead and dying people, the fear of being killed, killing people and witnessing the death of colleagues and friends leads to development of this problem among soldiers (Shay, 223). Soldiers who have suffered from this problem report being tense and easily irritable around people, being startled by noises especially loud noises, getting angry easily and experiencing nightmares. As a result, soldiers who have suffered from post-traumatic stress usually have problems in marriage and relationships. They have problems in forming and keeping relationships. Furthermore, posttraumatic stress can lead to depression.