Soldier’s Anxiety and Other Symptoms of Long-Term Stress

Essay Instructions:

The initial post must include responses to all the questions in both case studies.
A 28-year-old soldier returns from Iraq and begins experiencing periodic bouts of anxiety. She complains that she wakes up frequently and cannot get a full night of sleep. Recently, she also has been getting frequent headaches and noticed a few ulcers in her mouth. A physical examination and lab tests do not reveal any local or systemic disease.
Discussion Questions
Based on the patient history and the signs and symptoms, discuss how stress is related to her condition.
Discuss other stress-related problems that this patient might experience if her coping strategies are not effective.
Discuss the potential strategies for coping with the stress.
Mr. K is a 32-year-old man who was found in his apartment at 2 AM, babbling incoherently and apparently experiencing hallucinations. His friends report that he had been to a party that night and, since the recent breakup of his marriage and loss of his job, he tends to overdo it at social events. They report that during the evening, he consumed very little alcohol but did take a small pill given to him by another partygoer. Paramedics could find no puncture marks and no powder in or around the nose, but his blood pressure was elevated, as was his body temperature. He appeared dehydrated and agitated.
Discussion Questions
Based on patient history, reports from his friends, and the signs and symptoms noted by the paramedics, identify substances that Mr. K might have consumed.
Based on patient history, discuss the social factors that predisposed him to substance abuse.
Discuss any additional problems that he might encounter if he continues his present course of substance abuse.

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Case Study 1
In this case, the soldier demonstrates anxiety symptoms, which might result from long-term stress. Stress hormones-cortisol and corticotropin-are released to regulate pressure in response to a threat and fade away shortly (Rosiek et al., 2016). However, in situations of constant threat, such as in a war, the stress hormones are present in the body for a longer period, resulting in clinical anxiety. This explains the soldier’s anxiety and other symptoms of long-term stress observed.
The soldier is also prone to other mental health issues such as depression and personality disorder if her stress is not well managed. Poorly managed stress might also cause cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure and heart disease. Menstrual problems and gastrointestinal complications are also common in situations of chronic stress.
Taking care of oneself through activities like exercise, healthy eating, and taking a break is recommended to cope with stress. Talking to others also reduces stress levels. Other effective coping strategies include connecting with the community- or faith-based organizations, seeki...

Updated on January 26, 2024

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Soldier’s Anxiety and Other Symptoms of Long-Term Stress

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