RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,156198,00.html

quote:

But alcohol treatment was rare. Of more than 6,600 active-duty soldiers with drinking problems, only 134 were referred for treatment and only 29 were seen within 90 days, the study found.

"We still have some work to do. The referral rate was low," Milliken said.

Alcohol treatment in the military is not confidential; in fact, it triggers the automatic involvement of a service member's commander. That may explain the small percentage getting help, Milliken said.

Iraq veterans are being screened for mental health problems earlier and more often than previous vets. Shortly after starting the ground war in Iraq in 2003, the Pentagon began requiring returning troops to complete a three-page survey that is used to decide who needs help.

Among other things, the veterans are asked if they have nightmares, are constantly on guard or easily startled, and whether they feel numb or detached from others.

Honestly this dosn't mean a thing. I had drinking problems and the night mares and everything. It took 1 year for me to get help for the nightmares and detachment from others. Or as the VA calls it PTSD. You think they would have learned from other wars and vets. The Vietnam Vets are perfect examples. DO you how many of those guys had PTSD. Its taken how long to figure out that hey this might be a serious problem. Its BS and nothing will change. I will still have to pay for my dam treatment, just like any other VET who was screwed by the system. ALL VETS SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALY AND VA BENIFITS SHOULD BE FREE FOR ALL VETS.

I don't mean any disrespect to anyone but I feel that I must express my opinion on this one.

My father was an infantryman in the US Army and was in country during Korea. He never felt comfortable talking about any of his experiences when I asked, so I stopped asking. I think that his experiences contributed to his alcoholism and depression.

During the 60's and 70's PTSD was not as publicized as it is today outside the walls of VA hospitals.

I don't think there is an increase in the occurance of PTSD, I think there is an increase in it's popularity because of the press it's getting.

It is kind of surprising that more PTSD suffering Vets do not get violent.

I know many many have marital and family problems. Been there, live there myself but few turn their rage on the outside world.

I took a gun to the work parking lot one morning intending to end Mr. Super Con, didn't serve in ****'s spewing Rush's talking points but left it in the car. I just went into my shell till I could avoid contact for a spell.

A sign of a crumbling society.

quote:

Honestly this dosn't mean a thing. I had drinking problems and the night mares and everything. It took 1 year for me to get help for the nightmares and detachment from others. Or as the VA calls it PTSD. You think they would have learned from other wars and vets. The Vietnam Vets are perfect examples. DO you how many of those guys had PTSD. Its taken how long to figure out that hey this might be a serious problem. Its BS and nothing will change. I will still have to pay for my dam treatment, just like any other VET who was screwed by the system. ALL VETS SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALY AND VA BENIFITS SHOULD BE FREE FOR ALL VETS.

here here

It was 20 years after El Salvador before symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress surfaced for me... I'm fortunate to have a supportive wife, fellow veterans and a good therapist to see. Most guys I know are struggling.And the groups I attend are starting to see a real influx of OEF and OIF kids...the endless deployments are taking a huge toll. Many of these guys already have the look of 60 year old street vets.

They need our help...desparately.

Unless you have been in combat, you will never understand. We live in a psychoanalyst world now. Unlike 50 years. They had problems then and we have problems now.
When I came back from the Nam, they didn't give a hoot or a rat's azz about us or any mental problems we may have had. My psych test was. What day of the week is it, who is president of the US, what's your middle name? When I said I get nightmares, he said naturally, you've been in combat. End of test.
It is bad enough to go into combat for one tour as a regular soldier, it has to be tougher to be a guard or reservest and be sent back to a war zone and extend your time there.
There is a nurse, who is a member of my legion post who is being activated and going to Iraq and she is almost 50.
Can anybody see that something needs to be done here? Bring them home and that will be the start of ending the problems.

I have been saying for years that by staying in the reserves after Vietnam (remaining actively involved), kept me in touch with other service members and kept me involved with military current events. Therefore, I was able to deal with PTSD and the depression associated with war. These veterans returning from Iraq need to join the VFW or American Legion for one thing. It is a small price to pay for comraderie. Veterans helping veterans is the best medicine for these warriors returning home.

Hey look war is a dirty business that someone has to perform. One of the reasons for active duty to handle it better is because they train and maintain that mental toughness every day of the year. Guard and reserves spend a few months coming off a civilian job and try to get themselves prepared to handle the ugliness and stress of a hostile environment. I recently retired from the Army and in 2005 I was training guard units for deployment to Iraq. It was tough because you had 53 year old E-4's trying to keep up and do the same job as a 21 year old E-4. It is the civilian leaderships responsibility to have plans and programs in place for these great people.

It took my husband years to get the help he needed with what they call PTSD, the same for him they asked him who is the president of the U.S. what year is it. And sent him on his way. Look how long it has been since the Viet Nam war and he is just now getting help. They asked him if you thought of killing himself. He told them I tried that once and screwed it up, there answer oh? Ok good! My husband said if it hadnt been for me he would have given up long ago.I think our vets should be given free lifetime medical and anything else they might need. I dont know how true this is, but while waiting at the VA hosp we were talking to a Iraq vet who told us that they wanted to help him before some Nam vet, said he has been this way along time and can wait, he said he told them NO he has waited much to long help him first.While my husband was active he didnt want to ask for help because his CO would have been notifed of this and he said this would have caused problems for him in making rank. What a messed up system we have!

THESE RESULTS ARE CONSISTANT WITH ASSUMPTIONS THAT THIS EFFORT IN IRAQ HAS BEEN UNNECESSARY

A similar result occured after the Viet Nam war. It was then falsely blamed on the citizens opinion the war was unnecessay rather than the fact that politicians fought it on false premises.

The blatant lies by political leaders has relulted in an even more drastic strain on military personnel in Iraq.

THIS CONFLICT SHOULD BE ENDED NOW !

Little more that the pot calling the kettle black..........Iraqe Vet are serveing longer in combat zones, they receive a counseling befor discharge.....They are encouraged to file claims before a 2 years limit runs out on the benefit's.
I have had almost 40 years to file all my claims against the VA.....PTSD was not even recognized until the 1980's...With that limit you will have more claims filied. I encourage All Iraqe Vets and Afghanistan vet to file. The only problem that may occuree it they fact that Ptsd has taken so long to surface. The Nightmares, night-sweats, Happened after I returned from Vietnam, they finely stoped after many years. Then returned again when we went into Iraq! Even stronger than before. My mother new something was wrong with me. soon after i returned. I new something was wrong, but did not now what it was. I thought I was going insane. Now 6 years into therapy, I am starting to understand. Their is no cure. But you leard to deal with the condition. You can not do it alone, ask for or seek help. Talk about your tour, with other vets. A great place to go is the Vet Center. Group therapy. Your not alone!

quote:

Originally posted by 6india:
Little more that the pot calling the kettle black..........Iraqe Vet are serveing longer in combat zones, they receive a counseling befor discharge.....They are encouraged to file claims before a 2 years limit runs out on the benefit's.
I have had almost 40 years to file all my claims against the VA.....PTSD was not even recognized until the 1980's...With that limit you will have more claims filied. I encourage All Iraqe Vets and Afghanistan vet to file. The only problem that may occuree it they fact that Ptsd has taken so long to surface. The Nightmares, night-sweats, Happened after I returned from Vietnam, they finely stoped after many years. Then returned again when we went into Iraq! Even stronger than before. My mother new something was wrong with me. soon after i returned. I new something was wrong, but did not now what it was. I thought I was going insane. Now 6 years into therapy, I am starting to understand. Their is no cure. But you leard to deal with the condition. You can not do it alone, ask for or seek help. Talk about your tour, with other vets. A great place to go is the Vet Center. Group therapy. Your not alone!

I've got a friend who works for the VA. She says it's common to see outside events triggering PTSD just as it did for you. I remember when Saving Private Ryan came out, she told me she went to work the Monday after the weekend opening of the movie and there was standing room only for the dozens of traumatized vets in the waiting rooms. She says with the Iraq war there are even WWII vets coming in who hadn't had a symptom for years, but it's been rough on them seeing the war coverage and hearing about the injuries to the A'stan and Iraq vets.

When you have a condition like that it takes courage just to get out of bed in the morning and still function, so I salute your courage and your determination to work through your symptoms and thank you for letting others know that you're with them and trying to get through it, too. Take care and best of luck to you.

quote:

Originally posted by MarineAuntie:

quote:

Originally posted by 6india:
Little more that the pot calling the kettle black..........Iraqe Vet are serveing longer in combat zones, they receive a counseling befor discharge.....They are encouraged to file claims before a 2 years limit runs out on the benefit's.
I have had almost 40 years to file all my claims against the VA.....PTSD was not even recognized until the 1980's...With that limit you will have more claims filied. I encourage All Iraqe Vets and Afghanistan vet to file. The only problem that may occuree it they fact that Ptsd has taken so long to surface. The Nightmares, night-sweats, Happened after I returned from Vietnam, they finely stoped after many years. Then returned again when we went into Iraq! Even stronger than before. My mother new something was wrong with me. soon after i returned. I new something was wrong, but did not now what it was. I thought I was going insane. Now 6 years into therapy, I am starting to understand. Their is no cure. But you leard to deal with the condition. You can not do it alone, ask for or seek help. Talk about your tour, with other vets. A great place to go is the Vet Center. Group therapy. Your not alone!

I've got a friend who works for the VA. She says it's common to see outside events triggering PTSD just as it did for you. I remember when Saving Private Ryan came out, she told me she went to work the Monday after the weekend opening of the movie and there was standing room only for the dozens of traumatized vets in the waiting rooms. She says with the Iraq war there are even WWII vets coming in who hadn't had a symptom for years, but it's been rough on them seeing the war coverage and hearing about the injuries to the A'stan and Iraq vets.

When you have a condition like that it takes courage just to get out of bed in the morning and still function, so I salute your courage and your determination to work through your symptoms and thank you for letting others know that you're with them and trying to get through it, too. Take care and best of luck to you.

I wish all of you the best and truely hope that you all get the help that you need. When my hubby (Vietnam Vet) talked to his VA Dr about how recent events seem to increase his PTSD symptoms, the DR told him to avoid conversations and media coverage about the war, but is that not just pushing someone into their shell more? The last thing he needs is to go into himself more. It would have been nice if the DR had tried to give him another coping mechinism. Then again, this Dr is most likely overwhelemed and he himself served in Vietnam on the same Air Craft Carrier that my husband did, so perhaps he has his own issues that he is dealing with.

quote:

Originally posted by anoldnotboldrecondo:
It is kind of surprising that more PTSD suffering Vets do not get violent.

I know many many have marital and family problems. Been there, live there myself but few turn their rage on the outside world.

I took a gun to the work parking lot one morning intending to end Mr. Super Con, didn't serve in ****'s spewing Rush's talking points but left it in the car. I just went into my shell till I could avoid contact for a spell.

We are tougher than nails, we are made out of twisted steel and panther pea, we are super human, not one nightmare, do we have, that is scary, some of us are also in denial of real feelings. There are others of us that really do not know what it is that ails us. We do not need to take meds for our well being, but we will drink a couple of six-pack "just to get started" and certainly we do not need to go to a one-on-one meeting with some shrink, or go to a group meeting with folks that we can relate our problems with. We do not want to know that there are many others that are in the same condition as we are...or worse.
I have BTDT. Alcohol, weed, wine, beer,uppers downers. With that came the D.T.s, paranoia, inability to sleep, nightmares......
To add to my problems along comes the DVA that put up every road block and continually denied that PTSD existed, Agent Orange was not used, then it was used, but did not harm us super humans.
For the same symntoms clearly demonstrated to the DVA in 1975 until 1981, and they dramatically made it clear that I had no PTSD, illness related to Agent Orange, finally some recognition (piecemeal granting of disabilities)
was given and FINALLY 100% was awarded and I was paid both military retirement and disability compensation, tax free.
We that are angry at some one tend to get violent with some one that we feel safe with, i.e., our spouse, significant other etc. We may become violent with road rage and run someone off the road, although we are really mad/angry with our employer etc.
Lastly, some of us may have a strong ideation of suicide and thing about killing ourselves. A dangerous behavior to be looking for is when the planning of suicide and how one will accomplish the deed presents itself. I am not a doctor, and this certainly is not advice, but merely what I have experienced as a result of combat in Vietnam. And what I have done, finally, to make a better life for myself and family. Semper Fidelis. Blackcoat.

Damn, military.com is full of shocking news today.

This is what happens when you place troops in an untenable situation where they know there will be no so called victory. We train our troops to be winners and when that does not happen, one begins to question their efforts, blood, sweat and tears...the chickens come home to roost and you just ask the question; what was it all for?

It is all to familiar and harkens back to a bygone era when American troops were asked to do the same...and we all know the results from that past escapade.

S/F Gordon

This is one of the few places that at times I feel like I can really open up. For todays thread, everyone seems so supportive and I get the good vibes. Some days friggin' forget it, there's more interservice testosterone flying than I can, or want, to deal with. Tanks gives me a call evernow and then and I guess we all work the "Friend Lines". In Alaska I had it made; friends, Vet Center, VA Clinic, counseling, etc., but I isolated a lot. Down here, I isolate all the time. I didn't want a pup but I got one just to get me out of the house. Grew flowers and veggies to get me out, but I can't handle the small town attitude I get around here. There are damn few Viet Vets. I do have some good WWII and Korea Vet firends, but I still can't talk. At least not like I could before I got here. The 'pumps' have started back, sleeping outside instead of inside, drinking more, just being a plain toad. We're working on getting a 'Rap group' together and I did finally find a group of vets that get together in the A.M. at a local restaurant for coffee. To my way of thinking though, we're always going to be the ones looking out for each other. This is a he11 time of the year too. My daughter won't let me bunker-in, and my granddaughters love to give me crap. I'm just glad we got each other, even when we don't always, or ever, agree.
Semper Fi' Brothers and Sisters,
Sergeant Major

Im tired of hearing of support soldiers suffering from PTSD. I was an infantryman in iraq, severely wounded, and still active duty soldier. I can say I agree with the above comment that "staying up with military current events, fellow combat vets, and talking with soldiers in the unit" definately helps keep PTSD on the low. I have a low to mild case of PTSD and I do just fine.

Note that for some reason most suicides in the army are by support soldiers, not combat soldiers.
and if i hear one more female talk about how she has PTSD im going to croak.

I'm getting pretty darn tired of hearing reports like this, it's...well...uh...depressing. While this study is helpful it does not provide the means to take care of our troops.

quote:

Originally posted by 10994035:
Im tired of hearing of support soldiers suffering from PTSD. I was an infantryman in iraq, severely wounded, and still active duty soldier. I can say I agree with the above comment that "staying up with military current events, fellow combat vets, and talking with soldiers in the unit" definately helps keep PTSD on the low. I have a low to mild case of PTSD and I do just fine.

Note that for some reason most suicides in the army are by support soldiers, not combat soldiers.
and if i hear one more female talk about how she has PTSD im going to croak.

Sorry, brother...

There is no front line anymore. Support in the back/rear is as much as a target for Hadji as our fine infantry/Calvary/SF on the front line. Remember the transportation company that had a few POWs in the early days of Iraq War? Remember the Army chow hall having an explosive go off during lunch/dinner a few years back?

I'm not saying this to bust your chops, but every person is different. I commend you on having your life back on track after your injuring & still being able to serve. Some of your fellow SM's can't & would do anything to be back in the Army, especially when people are needed.

BTW, I am one of many females who is SC for PTSD. Yeah, I was support, too. I'm not going to get into a pissing match over who went through more $hit, because we both went through SOMETHING over there. Believe me, I'd rather not have the PTSD crap interferring in my life 4yrs after I came home.