Treating Wounds You Can't See

Washington Post ^ | June 29, 2008 | Linda Blum

[PurpleMan]

What the raw numbers on war trauma can't show is what I saw every day in my office: the individual stories of men and women who have sustained emotional trauma as well as physical injury, people who are still fighting an arduous postwar battle to heal, to understand a mysterious psychological condition and re-enter civilian life.

[PurpleMan]

No matter which candidate wins, taking care of the thousands of troops forever psychologically changed and many who are permanently destroyed by the horrors of combat, MUST be a national imperative.

[Mr. K]

WAPO HIT PIECE~! (where was the barf alert?)

[hinckley buzzard]

It is a sad fact but true that events in combat change people, often for the worse. It has always been thus. I have guys in nursing homes still having anxiety and nightmares from WW II and Korea.

I find these drama queens in the "helping professions" to be annoying and self-serving, however. There is nothing exotic about treating PTSD. Back in the day, when I and others were trying to do a job, we used to call these groupies "trauma hunters."

And as for the Post, where were they after WWII and Korea anyway? It isn't as if combat trauma was not known and recognized. But I guess there wasn't any political hay to be made off the veterans back then, either by making them into crazed Rambo's or pathetic victims.

[AnAmericanMother]

This psychological fallout propaganda is the usual stock in trade of liberals.

They not only did it after Vietnam, they did it after WWII as well! (read Bill Mauldin's Back Home, he tells it like it is. Usual news stories -- "Deranged Veteran Slays Family" etc. etc.)

Yes there is PTSD, 'battle fatigue', 'nervous in the service', 'fighting Huns in your sleep'. It goes back to the days of Homer.

War is a pretty fundamental thing and it changes everyone who is involved in it forever. Most are not profoundly affected and get better, it takes time mostly -- this "thousands" and "many who are permanently destroyed" is alarmism. Some vets can't get over the effects enough to function, the best help they can get is from fellow veterans who have 'been there, done that'.

I would NOT want the government involved, because the very first thing they are going to do is (1) claim EVERY veteran is crippled by PTSD and then (2) take their gun rights away because they're "mentally unstable". If you have ears to hear, you can see the WaPo laying the groundwork for this. They're upset about the USSC decision on the Second Amendment.

The VFW, AmLegion, and the churches should organize veterans' groups to help folks with mild to moderate PTSD. Time and readjustment to civilian life are what is mostly needed.

[AnAmericanMother]

Actually the usual liberal suspects in the media were trashing veterans back then too. See my previous post.

It's gone down the memory hole of course.

[Mr. K]

who said anything different?

I am just pointing out the glee that the WAPO takes in reporting the worst news, and never any good news.

[Ditter]

PTSD is terrible and it can affect others who have been through a tragedy that has nothing to do with war. I feel for these soldiers.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

(read Bill Mauldin’s Back Home, he tells it like it is. Usual news stories — “Deranged Veteran Slays Family” etc. etc.)

I read it years ago. You are correct. One cartoon comes to mind even today, Willie is home reading the newspaper. The headline in extra big letters is “SOLDIER SLAPS AUNT!”

Willie says to his wife...”Here is a triple axe murder on page three. No GI’s involved.”

[P8triot1]

God Bless our Troops. God Bless our Troops, be with Them and their Families. Heal them physicaly and emotionaly. Amen and Amen.

America has a wave of angry young HEROS heading home.
WE have to do OUR part to support our WARRIORS!!!