Crispin
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- Jun 26, 2012
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Inspiration for thread:
“Crisp: Just a question you mentioned PTSD with our troops What do you think causes this? Could it be the way we fight it, from a desk somewhere far from the battle field? And let's talk about the other side (The war now) do you think they suffer the same fate and how do you think they handle it? Also what category do you put a person who straps on a vest? (Leave religion out of this) These are just questions not a fight.”
Let me start this thread by thanking every veteran who has served our country for your service. You have put your lives on the line for our freedom. It has been an honor to call you my friends and patients.
Fact: Suicide rates in veterans returning from combat is the highest it has ever been.
Why: I wish I could give a definitive answer to this question. There are many current theories. First theory: Medicine has gotten better. A lot of men who fought in Vietnam died on the battle grounds or shortly being removed because our technology and ability to doctor was not as good. It is hypothesized that many more Vietnam vets would have survived with today’s technology; and thus, this population would have had higher rates of PTSD and suicide rates. Treasure Hunter has previously identified himself as a Vietnam Veteran. He will know 10x more then me on what type of injuries occurred then. Second theory: Warfare has advanced and in doing so the number and variety of Traumatic Brain Injuries(TBIs) has increased with the technology. Fact: TBI is a risk factor for PTSD, depression, and suicide. I know very little about the weapons of war. Perhaps, somebody with knowledge could help here. It has to do with blasts and percussion injuries, as opposed to flesh and bone injuries. Third Theory: Identification of mental illness has improved and thus we are simply diagnosing it more. (some truth, but I don’t believe this is the whole cause.)
Why does somebody get PTSD: PTSD is a genetic illness but it is not something that people are born inherently with. Given enough stress and trauma all human beings will develop PTSD. Classic symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, flashbacks, high anxiety, avoiding things that remind of trauma, and hypervigilance. PTSD can be developed from any life threatening experience. The worst cases of PTSD are seen in survivors of childhood serial, ritualistic physical and sexual abuse. A close second is combat veterans. People can also have PTSD from surviving car accidents and other accidents but these are much easier to treat. The human brain is only able to process a certain amount of trauma. When this threshold is reached, that person’s consciousness dissociates in order to keep the ego intact. This dissociation leads to a fragmentation of emotion and memory. The result is PTSD and all its symptoms.
Can PTSD be from a desk: The simple answer to this question is “No.” However, if you were linked in real time to the combat and listening to friends die in real time…then “yes.” But, in general, “no,” it happens from battle field experience.
The other side: The other side certainly suffers the same fate. Unfortunately, people from third world countries have often experienced trauma from a very young age. Many of these people never develop intact egos. They go their entire life without feeling safe. When the opportunity to join a terrorist cell arises they see it as a “savior.” They are promised safety and camaraderie, something they never had in life. To them, it is like Jesus welcoming them into the Kingdom of Heaven. Most of them have PTSD before they join…the ones that did not soon develop it. This is why holy wars have been around since the beginning of time and will continue until the end. Religion is the last hope of a dying or forgotten soul. Third world countries create these people out of poverty and despair. Osama bin Laden organizes, gives them purpose, and makes them feel loved. That is why they will strap on a vest.
Concluding thoughts: PTSD is a complex and difficult to treat disease. It is permanent, it can be treated, it can be improved, but there is no cure. Support your Vets and encourage them to get help. The VA offers good treatments. For some, even going to the VA causes intense flashbacks. There are doctors that can help in private practice. There are simple and safe medicines that can make the difference between life and death. Many veterans self-medicate with alcohol or other drugs. I do not blame them for one second; however, there is another way.
Thank you again to all our veterans on the forum; especially, any of our combat veterans who have placed their lives on the line.
“Crisp: Just a question you mentioned PTSD with our troops What do you think causes this? Could it be the way we fight it, from a desk somewhere far from the battle field? And let's talk about the other side (The war now) do you think they suffer the same fate and how do you think they handle it? Also what category do you put a person who straps on a vest? (Leave religion out of this) These are just questions not a fight.”
Let me start this thread by thanking every veteran who has served our country for your service. You have put your lives on the line for our freedom. It has been an honor to call you my friends and patients.
Fact: Suicide rates in veterans returning from combat is the highest it has ever been.
Why: I wish I could give a definitive answer to this question. There are many current theories. First theory: Medicine has gotten better. A lot of men who fought in Vietnam died on the battle grounds or shortly being removed because our technology and ability to doctor was not as good. It is hypothesized that many more Vietnam vets would have survived with today’s technology; and thus, this population would have had higher rates of PTSD and suicide rates. Treasure Hunter has previously identified himself as a Vietnam Veteran. He will know 10x more then me on what type of injuries occurred then. Second theory: Warfare has advanced and in doing so the number and variety of Traumatic Brain Injuries(TBIs) has increased with the technology. Fact: TBI is a risk factor for PTSD, depression, and suicide. I know very little about the weapons of war. Perhaps, somebody with knowledge could help here. It has to do with blasts and percussion injuries, as opposed to flesh and bone injuries. Third Theory: Identification of mental illness has improved and thus we are simply diagnosing it more. (some truth, but I don’t believe this is the whole cause.)
Why does somebody get PTSD: PTSD is a genetic illness but it is not something that people are born inherently with. Given enough stress and trauma all human beings will develop PTSD. Classic symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, flashbacks, high anxiety, avoiding things that remind of trauma, and hypervigilance. PTSD can be developed from any life threatening experience. The worst cases of PTSD are seen in survivors of childhood serial, ritualistic physical and sexual abuse. A close second is combat veterans. People can also have PTSD from surviving car accidents and other accidents but these are much easier to treat. The human brain is only able to process a certain amount of trauma. When this threshold is reached, that person’s consciousness dissociates in order to keep the ego intact. This dissociation leads to a fragmentation of emotion and memory. The result is PTSD and all its symptoms.
Can PTSD be from a desk: The simple answer to this question is “No.” However, if you were linked in real time to the combat and listening to friends die in real time…then “yes.” But, in general, “no,” it happens from battle field experience.
The other side: The other side certainly suffers the same fate. Unfortunately, people from third world countries have often experienced trauma from a very young age. Many of these people never develop intact egos. They go their entire life without feeling safe. When the opportunity to join a terrorist cell arises they see it as a “savior.” They are promised safety and camaraderie, something they never had in life. To them, it is like Jesus welcoming them into the Kingdom of Heaven. Most of them have PTSD before they join…the ones that did not soon develop it. This is why holy wars have been around since the beginning of time and will continue until the end. Religion is the last hope of a dying or forgotten soul. Third world countries create these people out of poverty and despair. Osama bin Laden organizes, gives them purpose, and makes them feel loved. That is why they will strap on a vest.
Concluding thoughts: PTSD is a complex and difficult to treat disease. It is permanent, it can be treated, it can be improved, but there is no cure. Support your Vets and encourage them to get help. The VA offers good treatments. For some, even going to the VA causes intense flashbacks. There are doctors that can help in private practice. There are simple and safe medicines that can make the difference between life and death. Many veterans self-medicate with alcohol or other drugs. I do not blame them for one second; however, there is another way.
Thank you again to all our veterans on the forum; especially, any of our combat veterans who have placed their lives on the line.
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