How is this different than shell shock, something that has been recognized at least back to WWI?
BTW, I don’t think anyone here is saying our troops should not get treatment for this.
Have you seen someone say that?
TBI is an actual Brain injury. It is caused by trauma to the brain, such as a fall, or an impact of some kind. The actual injury may heal, but the brain reacts differently to certain kinds of injury. Like after a stroke, there can often be permanent damage. It is the lasting effects that are difficult to determine, not the TBI.
I knew a young girl who suffered a TBI in a snowmobile accident, she is ok, but she is unable to blink and keep her eyes hydrated, and now writes with her left hand instead of her right.
The difference between shell shock, PTSD and TBI is mostly the cause of the injury. TBI is a trauma to the brain. There must be a head injury of some kind. Soldiers get TBI from humvee accidents, explosions, gunshots, etc. There is always a major injury, which will require major medical treatment. TBI can be fatal, without extensive medical intervention. In previous wars, many of these soldiers just died. Now we have the ability to save them, which is why there are so many more than in the past.
PTSD and shell shock are caused by psychological trauma rather than physical trauma. It can be difficult to tie the symptoms to a specific event, and the symptoms can appear much later.
People may not be suggesting that the troops not get treatment, but there are many that suggest there aren’t many with this injury, or it is somehow exaggerated. That is disprespectful to our soldiers. TBI is often devastating to the victims and their families. They need intensive therapy and medical care. Some must relearn how to read and to walk, some suffer permanent impairments. It can take months or years to fully recover. However, in previous wars they probably wouldn’t have survived, so it is really a blessing.
I hope this hasn’t confused you further. My intent is only to provide some information on the injury. It should be taken very seriously.
God bless and protect the troops. They are bringing freedom and progress to the Middle East and Arab culture without most of the devastation and loss of life encountered with the Japanese and Koreans.