A POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER REVIEW: THE PREVALENCE OF UNDERREPORTING AND THE ROLE OF STIGMA IN THE MILITARY

Exposure to traumatic events has been a part of human existence since the beginning of time; however modern lifestyles and developments mean that the majority of the population are spared the affliction of extreme trauma. The military, however, are one subgroup of individuals who are actively and repeatedly exposed to terrifying events on a regular basis, putting them at risk of developing "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" (PTSD). Despite this, the prevalence of PTSD reports in the UK military remains lower than its international allies, suggesting this value may be an underestimation of the true prevalence. Wider investigation of the potential causes of this has highlighted the stigmatization of mental illness in the military as the key barrier to the help-seeking behaviours. However, the effect of national de-stigmatization programs on PTSD help seeking is unclear. This review aims to determine the prevalence of PTSD within the UK military in the context of other international powers and examine how stigmatization of mental illness in military may contribute to this. The international value of de-stigmatization programs will be debated and future directions for research suggested