PTSD

The Washington Post had an article today entitled VA Mental Health Caseload Surges that says 1/3 of Iraq and Afghanistan soldiers are reporting stress or other mental health issues. First off, that number seems low. I mean, I'm sure that is all that is actually trying to access services, or who will admit to struggling, but you can't tell me that only 1/3 of the troops have suffered some sort of mental health issues. The article states

Nearly 64,000 of the more than 184,000 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who have sought VA health care were found to exhibit potential symptoms of post-traumatic stress, drug abuse or other mental disorders as of the end of June, according to the latest report by the Veterans Health Administration.

Again, it seems lower than reality. I mean, how many Vietnam vets actually sought out mental health services from the VA? The stigma at the time was greater than now, but still, I don't think that it has any actual bearing on what is happening with returning troops, some of them returning home from multiple tours of duty. Sure, there is "debriefing" that happens as the troops are just about to be sent home, but that about amounts to a bunch of war weary guys and gals in a room together, wanting nothing more than to get home to their families, being asked: OK, anyone in here have any issues they need to deal with? Come on. Would YOU bring something up in that setting?

The article continues to say that out of those 64,000 mentioned above,

30,000 had possible post-traumatic stress disorder

Possible PTSD? What does that mean? The top doc at the VA, Michael J. Kussman says

the number of troops reporting symptoms of stress probably represents a "gross overestimation" of those actually suffering from mental health disorders.

Gross OVERestimation? His reasoning?

Most of the troops who return from Iraq have "normal reactions to abnormal situations," such as flashbacks or trouble sleeping, Kussman said.

Uh, yeah, that's what PTSD is?! If you are a human being, and you are witness to and or participant in horrible situations (such as war, natural disaster, you name it), your "normal" reaction would be to have some sort of stress, or other mental reaction. I'm worried that the number isn't considered UNDERestimated, like why isn't it at 100%? Who are those who he thinks shouldn't be having this human reaction?

Is it just because there is still such a stigma associated with the idea of a "mental health disorder"? They're not crazy, they just are freaked the fuck out because they have been sent to and participated in war. Sorry folks, but PTSD is a normal reaction to the abnormal, and it IS a mental health disorder.

Then, another disturbing point in the article comes when Paul Rieckhoff, the executive director of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America says that the Buffalo VA has a "wish list"

of needed supplies and other expenses, including wheelchairs, rehabilitation equipment and medical monitors.

If our own vets have to make wish lists for their health care needs, needs that arose due to their serving their country.... Dude, why did we start this f-ing war in the first place? And why can't we finally let it out? The truth. What war means? I guess that might hinder the next war waiting in the wings.