News From the Cause
Lack of compassion fuels troubles for some with PTSD (The Lanter: Ohio State University)
January 24, 2012
Some students who come from military backgrounds and then decide to pursue a college education can suffer from the somewhat common disorder known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after someone has experienced a traumatic event that involved the threat of injury or death.
Roger Buck, the interim director of the Counseling Center at Hocking College, spoke at the event "Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" held at the Ohio Union on Jan. 19. Buck said one of the biggest problems for students with PTSD is that when coming back from the military culture, they didn't fit well with the college crowd.
"These veterans are older individuals, have more life experience and leadership," Buck said. "Veterans with PTSD feel disrespected by the childish behavior of traditional teenage students."
Buck said for many veterans with PTSD, there is a lack of respect by faculty and staff on campus for the sacrifices of veteran friends killed and injured. Buck said the "non-compassionate" attitude of staff members toward veterans suffering from PTSD does not help solve the problem.
"These guys have seen horrible events, smelled horrible stuff and experienced extreme human emotions," Buck said. "People need to be more understanding."
In addition to a change in attitude from professors and faculty, one professor suggested that the best solution to PTSD-related complications is to seek medical treatment. Click here to view more
