Stress Disorders Hit U.S. Troops in Iraq -Study

[mrbowler]

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Stress Disorders Hit U.S. Troops in Iraq -Study


By Gene Emery
BOSTON (Reuters) - Nearly a fifth of U.S. troops returning from the war in Iraq may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems, but many are not seeking treatment, according to a study released on Wednesday.

The study, published in this week's New England Journal of Medicine, is one of a very few that have examined the psychological impact of war so close to the time of deployment. It has already begun to reshape how soldiers are treated, both in the field and after they return home, researchers said.

Specifically, the study was partly aimed at gauging the psychological barriers -- from concern about the stigma associated with mental illness to fear of possible harm to one's career -- that keep troops from seeking help for combat-related stress disorders.

"There are a significant number of soldiers who need or require help," study co-author Carl Castro of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research said in an interview.

Castro and his colleagues studied members of four U.S. combat infantry units using an anonymous survey administered either before deployment to Iraq or three to four months after their return from combat duty. Troops who served in Afghanistan were also included in the survey.

The rate of post-traumatic stress disorder was 5 percent among the 2,530 Army infantry soldiers headed to Iraq, but it rose sharply following deployment, the researchers found.

The rate of the disorder was nearly 13 percent among 894 soldiers who returned from eight months of duty in Iraq. It was more than 12 percent for 815 Marines who served six months there, and about half that for 1,962 infantry soldiers who returned from Afghanistan. The surveys were done in 2003.

In contrast, the rate of long-term post-traumatic stress disorder among Vietnam War veterans years after their return has been 15 percent, and between 2 percent to 10 percent among veterans of the Gulf War. It averages around 3 percent to 4 percent in the general population.

NOT SEEKING TREATMENT

The study found that only 23 percent to 40 percent of those suffering from mental health problems had sought help, with many admitting they feared seeking treatment would make them appear weak or make their peers treat them differently.

"Concern about stigma was disproportionately greatest among those most in need of help from mental health services," the study's authors said. Continued ...

Other mental health problems examined include major depression and generalized anxiety, the study said.
Not surprisingly, the team discovered a direct relationship between the likelihood of post-traumatic stress and combat.

The illness rate was 4.5 percent for soldiers not involved in shooting and jumped to more than four times that level among soldiers involved in more than five firefights.

In general, the Afghanistan troops had fewer mental health problems, but they were less likely to see serious action.

Just 1 percent of the troops who had been in Afghanistan said they were responsible for the death of a civilian, versus 14 percent of Army soldiers in Iraq and 28 percent of Marines who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In a journal editorial, Matthew Friedman of the Department of Veterans Affairs said there is concern that the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder will increase in coming years because the disorder can take a few years to surface.

"It may simply be too early to assess the eventual magnitude of the mental health problems related to deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom," Friedman said.

[prism68]

Originally Posted by mrbowler

...In contrast, the rate of long-term post-traumatic stress disorder among Vietnam War veterans years after their return has been 15 percent, and between 2 percent to 10 percent among veterans of the Gulf War. It averages around 3 percent to 4 percent in the general population.

I would agree with the fact that the Vietnam servicemen had the hardest time because of the political climate they served in; with Hanoi Jane and her groupies (hmmm, yes that's right...Kerry fit in this group, too) making it even harder than it already was.

My dad was a gunner in Vietnam and to this DAY he suffers P.T.S.D. Luckily, a few years ago he found medication that helped (through the Veterans Hospital). However, I watched him for years and years have nightmares and wake up looking for a gun- physically. He told me that he never slept a night straight in 30 years until this summer. He was only 19 when he went over there!
He came back a changed man, lost his youth and most of those he served with to that war and came home to protesters spitting on him. Literally.

I say all that to say, I am afraid history will repeat itself. I think if people don't stop bashing their own country and stop the feeding frenzy of protests- our current servicemen and women will suffer at the rates those in Vietnam did or worse.
There are injustices, GRAVE and HORRID injustices all over the world... the fact that our news media and all the liberals would rather spend their time, money and energy shooting their own country in the foot is just unforgivable.

Edited to add:
By the way, I do not agree with the media portrayal of this war as "Bush's Vietnam". I make the comparison on the basis of the effect of the current political climate on the soldiers involved.
An average of more than 5000 soldiers a year were killed in Vietnam. Under 1,000 have died in over a year of this occupation. Although each and every death is a unique tragedy- the comparison is unfair.

[luvmetender]

By the way, I do not agree with the media portrayal of this war as "Bush's Vietnam". I make the comparison on the basis of the effect of the current political climate on the soldiers involved.
An average of more than 5000 soldiers a year were killed in Vietnam. Under 1,000 have died in over a year of this occupation. Although each and every death is a unique tragedy- the comparison is unfair.

I disagree. The troops were under the impression that this war was a slam-dunk and heard those famous words "Mission Accomplished" (how long ago??) This war did NOT go as planned. I would imagine many many returning troops will have psychological damage.

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by prism68

I would agree with the fact that the Vietnam servicemen had the hardest time because of the political climate they served in; with Hanoi Jane and her groupies (hmmm, yes that's right...Kerry fit in this group, too) making it even harder than it already was.

My dad was a gunner in Vietnam and to this DAY he suffers P.T.S.D. Luckily, a few years ago he found medication that helped (through the Veterans Hospital). However, I watched him for years and years have nightmares and wake up looking for a gun- physically. He told me that he never slept a night straight in 30 years until this summer. He was only 19 when he went over there!
He came back a changed man, lost his youth and most of those he served with to that war and came home to protesters spitting on him. Literally.

I say all that to say, I am afraid history will repeat itself. I think if people don't stop bashing their own country and stop the feeding frenzy of protests- our current servicemen and women will suffer at the rates those in Vietnam did or worse.
There are injustices, GRAVE and HORRID injustices all over the world... the fact that our news media and all the liberals would rather spend their time, money and energy shooting their own country in the foot is just unforgivable.

Edited to add:
By the way, I do not agree with the media portrayal of this war as "Bush's Vietnam". I make the comparison on the basis of the effect of the current political climate on the soldiers involved.
An average of more than 5000 soldiers a year were killed in Vietnam. Under 1,000 have died in over a year of this occupation. Although each and every death is a unique tragedy- the comparison is unfair.

I agree that any significant portrayal of Iraq compared to Vietnam is way premature. I've seen some comparision's, but not as much as you feel the media has. Believe me I don't want what happened to many soldier's in Vietnam happening again, but don't get caught up in all the flag waving & patriotism. I've supported the War, but I've discussed my differences in regard to the pretext of war-5 years from now I truly believe the United States will have some degree of success in Afghanistan & Iraq-we've already had numerous items of success such as Capturing Saddam-killing his two son's which in turn will have positive effects for the people of Iraq. Just remember that American Soldiers are both Conservative and Liberal. A buddy in my bowling League was a Gunner on a Helicopter in Vietnam also-small world.

[prism68]

Originally Posted by luvmetender

... This war did NOT go as planned.

Really now, how many do you think ever HAVE? War is ****. That is why we have to keep it out of our homeland.

[Jane456]

Ernest Hemingway has a great quote: "In modern war... you will die or suffer like a dog for no good reason." And i totally agree with him. Look around... Watch the TV news... And try to understand the reasons... Maybe is because we are just pawns on a chess table.
Jane [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by Jane456

Ernest Hemingway has a great quote: "In modern war... you will die or suffer like a dog for no good reason." And i totally agree with him. Look around... Watch the TV news... And try to understand the reasons... Maybe is because we are just pawns on a chess table.
Jane [/URL]

Jane-You made me look further about the quote

Notes on the Next War:

"They wrote in the old days that it is sweet and fitting to die for ones country. But in modern war there is nothing sweet nor fitting in your dying. You will die like a dog for no good reason"

Hmmm..not sure of his definition of modern war. In some ways the way war is fought is similiar to the past, but in some ways war has become less face to face. The one thing that has remained is that a "reason" is needed to make war "acceptable". In Iraq the "reason" has changed so many times-the initial reason has so far proved to be "faulty" IMO.

I do agree that we are just pawns-well some are higher ranking pieces

[NsearchofDeals]

Considering everything our troops deal with in Iraq and elsewhere, it's no wonder they are having some problems.

War is never easy on anyone, and this is a perfect example of that.