History of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
In 1980, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) became an accepted diagnosis
for veterans with psychological wounds.
Symptoms include agitation, hyper arousal, anxiety, irritability, panic
attacks, sleep loss, and reliving traumatic events through flashbacks and
nightmares. PTSD episodes occur much like a seizure. The individual never
knows when an episode is coming on.
The results lead to a miserable existence, dysfunctional family life, inability to
hold down a job, and too often turns deadly for the family or the individual.
This malady is leaving tens of thousands homeless and hopeless across our
country.
This form of mental illness is not new. Throughout history PTSD has been
called by many different names. Each war brought its own description.
During the Civil War, symptoms of PTSD were called “soldiers heart,” hysteria, melancholia, and insanity.
After World War I, these same symptoms were called “shell shock.”
Following World War II, PTSD was called “battle fatigue or gross stress
reaction.”
After Viet Nam, PTSD was called “post-Viet Nam syndrome.” PTSD was so
widespread that veterans suffering from this disorder pushed the medical and
military community to recognize it as a legitimate mental disorder.
Following the Viet Nam War, the general public learned a lot about PTSD from Hollywood. Films about the Vietnam War, such as Apocalyse Now, The Deer
Hunter and Born on the Fourth of July, have all featured Vietnam veterans
who end up having to deal with the issues that come with PTSD.
Books and novels also explore this subject. Phillip Cavuto wrote A Rumor of
War, which is considered to be one of the classic works on the subject of
PTSD. In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O'Brien is another excellent work
about a Vietnam vet who struggles with PTSD.
On Veterans Day, November 11, 2010, HBO presented its documentary on
PTSD “Wartorn 1861 – 2010.” This documentary captured heart wrenching
stories of men and women suffering and dying from PTSD following every
major war since the American Civil War. They not only suffered the symptoms
of PTSD, they also denied themselves treatment because of the stigma
associated with admitting they had invisible wounds from combat.
The incidence of PTSD among returning troops is estimated to be somewhere
between 30%-40% and many experts who follow current trends strongly assert
that the number is a solid 40%. A recent report stated that 70,000 returning
soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer some level of this disorder.
Let me remind you that PTSD materializes as a nuisance to society. What we
are talking about here is alcohol and drug abuse. Grown men and women
homeless, living on handouts and possibly stealing to stay alive. Many are
incarcerated for behavioral incidents even spousal or child abuse. There
estimates that 39% of all veteran inmates are suffering from PTSD. Their
illness creates indescribable and unpredictable dysfunction in their lives.
They may not look like the heroes we have images of from textbooks and TV,
but they have served our country and have sustained an “invisible wound”
that is as real as losing an arm or a leg.
On any given night, somewhere between 130,000 and 200,000 veterans are
homeless somewhere in our country. In the course of a year, more than
400,000 vets will experience homelessness. It is estimated that one-fourth of
all homeless people that you see along the side of the road are in fact
veterans. The VA estimates that 89% of these homeless vets received an
honorable discharge. Sadly, 76% of these vets suffer from alcohol, drug and/or
mental health problems.
Thankfully, I can share some good news about this situation that I hope you
find as gratifying as I do.
In 2009, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki stood before the
American Legion Convention and declared “I’m here to end veteran
homelessness.” The VA has implemented programs and new rules to
address this situation.
During the past year, the VA has expanded treatment programs and the
number of beds for veterans suffering from symptoms of PTSD and
homelessness. Some local homeless organizations receive per diem fees for
caring for homeless veterans.
VA centers around the United States are gearing up to deal with this
epidemic among America’s finest!
There is also good news for front-line active duty military personnel. In an
interview on HBO's documentary "Wartorn 1861 - 2010," General Peter
Chiarelli stated that for the past eighteen months he has been assigned to
change attitudes about PTSD and address issues relating to the increased
suicide rates in the military establishment.
While General Chiarelli faces enormous challenges changing the culture and
stigma associated with PTSD, he stated emphatically that the military
establishment was committed to identifying front-line soldiers at risk and
placing them in treatment programs immediately. He summed up that
commitment by saying "Only bad things happen when you wait to treat an
injury!"
