Actually, 25% of the general population in the U.S. get PTSD, but realize there are LEVELS and what veterans can get (up to 35%) is chronic or complex-PTSD. Most civilians get it for a year or so with a car accident or longer if a natural disaster. The highest rate for a demographic is in the early childhood range for child sexual trauma survivors-35%.
I was shocked at the low percentage of reported cases. That would mean either the vets are not going in for treatment, or they are not actually developing PTSD. If they are not developing it, what is different about being an Australian as opposed to American?
from the Brits:
“Anyone can be diagnosed with PTSD, and it’s estimated that 1 in 10 people develop PTSD. 1 in 5 firefighters, 1 in 3 teenagers who have survived a horrific car crash, 70% of rape victims, 2 in 3 Prisoners of War, 40% of people who experienced a sudden death of a loved one,...”
(good site by the way) http://www.ptsduk.org/what-is-ptsd/who-is-affected-by-ptsd/
Now, I was going to share the link to the guys organization. Many of our young vets do not go the VFW but are getting involved with community programs to answer the call locally.
Only a fairly small proportion of recent Australian veterans have seen real combat conditions. Even though tens of thousands have served in the recent wars, the vast majority have been in support roles - for the most part only our elite units have been routinely deployed to combat (not just special forces (SAS, Commando, etc), but even the 'regular' infantry units deployed have been the best of those - the Royal Australian Regiment, in particular). That could explain some of this - my impression is that the US has deployed a much wider range of forces into combat situations.
(Of course, just about any soldier or other serviceman can find themselves in combat but there is a different risk profile for somebody working in logistics and support, from somebody in a frontline infantry unit - it's all important work, worthy of respect, but it's not the same).