Camp Casey's 2nd ID sees surge of post-traumatic stress disorder

[lebkuchen]

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=22774

CAMP CASEY, South Korea — The 2nd Infantry Division is experiencing a surge in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among soldiers who rotated here from assignments in Iraq or Afghanistan, says a senior health official.

Division psychologist Capt. Mary Dorritie said that although most of the combat-related PTSD cases she treats haven’t been severe, they are the bulk of her caseload; she treats from 10 to 15 soldiers suffering from the condition. Last year, in contrast, virtually all PTSD cases treated by 2nd ID mental health workers were related to sexual assault, she said.

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that occurs when a person is exposed to a traumatic or life threatening event such as war, assault, sexual assault, natural disasters or disasters in general, Dorritie said.

Symptoms include panic attacks, nightmares, insomnia, hyper-vigilance, flashbacks, outbursts of anger and irritability, concentration and attention problems and the inability to relax, she said.

“We are starting to take a number of cases coming in. I’ve no idea how many the chaplains are seeing, but I expect it is a good number. I suspect there are going to be a lot more cases out there,” she said.

[steely]

1. Great, half of 750 veterans could exhibit symptoms.

And no combat vets working with the counselors? nice
Do they even try to do a formal outreach with these troops?

[lebkuchen]

2. Hopefully "not tough enough" is not part of the healing process

These are problems that soldiers are bringing back with them to the U.S., eventually. The US medical system, for vets and civilians alike, had better be prepared.

Many 2nd ID soldiers suffering from the disorder have experienced traumatic events while serving in conflict zones, Dorritie said. Earlier this year, the division also reported higher-than-normal rates of suicide attempts, also attributed to the ongoing conflicts.

“They have seen their friends blown up, they have killed women and children,” she said, recalling one soldier who told of shooting into a vehicle that ran a checkpoint, accidentally killing women and children inside. “That is very traumatic for them.”

[Spentastic]

4. Yes

Being shot to death by an invading force does tend to ruin's ones mental health doesn't it?

[leftchick]

3. I think about the reserve and guard soldiers as well....

Will their cases of PTSD be counted or even treated when they are back? :(

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. Bush 'brings it on'

:(

[teryang]

6. This is a huge casualty statistic

"They haven't been severe" WTF? This must be the official Army policy statement.

A person with "full blown" PTSD is as damaged as someone with a through and through bullet wound. This article is wholly lacking in insight. It makes me wonder when professional people don't realize how disabling chronic insomia, hyperalertness or panic attacks really are. This article makes it sound like they skinned their knees.

[lebkuchen]

7. You might want to send your comments to the Stripes writer

His e-mail is attached to the article. The writers are good about getting back. I'd be interested in hearing his response.