PTSD an Ongoing Challenge for Veterans

Luis is a 100 % disabled Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veteran with 2 combat tours. He joined the Army when he was 18 years old. He was sent to Iraq during his second year in the Army and served his 4 years before separating. He missed the military family and comradery so he joined the Army National Guard looking for what he was missing. While in the National Guard he was sent for a second tour to Iraq. During his second tour, he was injured in a firefight and received a purple heart for his physical wounds and diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After Luis healed from his physical wounds he was medically separated from the National Guard and attempted to return to his civilian life. Once Luis returned to his civilian life he discovered that his life had drastically changed. Luis avoided crowds, public areas, and even found a temper he or his family did not know he had. Luis struggled to return to work because of his PTSD and soon lost his job because of his PTSD symptoms, mainly his temper. Because of the loss of his job Luis was in a constant battle with his family because he had to move in with them. Luis is presently going to college using his post 9-11 benefits hoping to gain skills where his disability will not be a problem. He has been struggling to keep his life together while feeling inadequate because of the loss of his job and being a 27 years old living with his parents.  He keeps asking himself if he can ever escape the fear of violence of his nightmares. The answer is yes, but it will take a lot of work and the ability to be vulnerable. Luis is trying to better his life but he has a long road ahead.  

We can usually see the physical injuries of our troops, what we can’t see is the hidden wounds. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has always been around and is a growing concern. Those that experience combat have a 3 fold increase in being diagnosed with PTSD. Some believe it is a normal reaction to a horrific event, some say it is only a disorder for the purpose of medical insurance billing. Unfortunately, PTSD exist and those who suffer from it have to work through their issues such as anger, nightmares, hyper- vigilance, disengagement from life, and some even commit suicide. Post-Traumatic Stress is not limited to veterans. Rape victims, car accidents, natural disasters, gang violence, and mass shootings also can cause PTSD. Not everyone who has been injured or witnessed a horrific event will get PTSD, however we are all one car accident, violent incident, or natural disaster away from getting PTSD ourselves under the right circumstances.

It is estimated that 30 to 35% of OEF/OIF veterans are suffering from PTSD. That percentage is expected to increase. Studies have shown the more combat tours one has increases the chance of PTSD manifesting. Presently 2 in 10 soldiers on their first or second combat deployment showed signs of mental illness. That rate increases to 3 in 10 for those on a third or fourth deployment. Because of the short duration of Desert Storm only 12% of veterans suffer from PTSD and time will tell if that number increases. Vietnam veterans have shown that PTSD can create problems as time passes. It is expected that PTSD diagnosis will gradually grow as Desert Storm and OEF/OIF veterans grow older.

Presently 30% of Vietnam veterans have PTSD. Major life events such as retirement or death of a loved one often trigger personal reassessment and forgotten memories. With the average age of Vietnam Veterans being 67 an increase in PTSD diagnosis is expected. Vietnam veterans returned home to a harsh reception and limited mental health options, they did not seek help due to the stigma of their war and mental health. Recent veterans have opened up a new way to look at mental health as Vietnam veterans are starting to retire. Those that suppressed PTSD for 40+ years while delving into their work are now seeking help because they are home all day where family members see their pain and grief. Veterans are often able to hide many of their symptoms because they had been focused on their work. Now they are retiring and the genie is out of the bottle. This kind of delayed trauma isn’t unusual for those that understand PTSD and how it manifests itself.

Present day Desert Storm and OEF / OIF veterans owe a gratitude to the Vietnam era veterans. A direct correlation can be drawn from the work Vietnam Veterans did in the 1970’s to a push for a PTSD diagnosis. Vietnam Veterans are the reason the VA has been focused on the PTSD issue. Thanks to the Vietnam veterans the hundreds of thousands of veterans that are having flashbacks, nightmares, and other debilitating mental health issues are getting the help they need. History is showing that PTSD diagnosis will increase as time goes on as veterans continue to retire. This is evidenced by the influx of Vietnam era veterans seeking help for PTSD. Keep track of the veterans you love and get them the help they need and deserve.   

For questions or comments, I can be reached at bo@afterdutyvets.com or visit our website at afterdutyvets.com.