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Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) and Veterans

In America alone there are 72 000 veterans currently receiving disability compensation for PTSD. Recent predictions suggest up to 20 % of those serving in Iraq could suffer from extreme mental illness after their return from duty. PTSD is a severe and ongoing emotional reaction to an extreme psychological trauma - resulting from exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. A 30% increase in PTSD claims received by the Department of Veterans Affairs in the US points to the increasing numbers of military personal suffering from such ordeals.

That war is a trigger for PTSD is both unsurprising and well documented, dating back to the recognition of ‘shell-shock’ during the First World War. The additional concerns impacting upon modern combat situations derive from a blurring of the battle lines. In conflict zones such as Iraq, soldiers deal with a hostile civilian population, and the proliferation of suicide bombs leaves troops in constant fear of their lives. As seen in the fallout from the Vietnam War, involvement in such unpredictable war zones clearly leads to serious psychological problems for many of the troops involved.

What is less understandable, particularly at a time when increasing numbers are suffering, is the failure of the military to help servicemen cope with the often-crippling effects of trauma. In this country there are many cases of negligence by the British Army documented in the press and in Veterans associations. Daniel Twiddy had more cause than most to expect their support, after being blown off the top of his vehicle by a high explosive shell from another British tank. Yet as he explains:

“When I joined the British Army I respected the Ministry of Defense. I thought it was their duty to support you thought thick and thin. It’s bollocks - total shit. As soon as something like what happened to me occurs, they toss you aside like a number. They’re not bothered about you. Physically, I can heal up. What hurts the most is that I’ve been left behind. I’ll always remember what they’ve done to me.”

His sentiments correspond to the many who similarly conclude that those involved have been let down and ignored by the Army for which they gave up their lives: leaving with no pension, medical support or even recognition of the horrific symptoms from which they suffer. In PTSD these include: Insomnia, vomiting, extreme fatigue, aggression, depression, panic attacks, recurrent nightmares and flashbacks. As a consequence sufferers often become alienated, cut off from a ‘normal’ society with which they are unable to cope, to the point where many attempt suicide.

David McCough tried twice, not long after returning from active service as a medic in Iraq. Most harrowing of his many horrific experiences was the discovery of a young girl being hung in a back alley in Basra. “We had to make a decision whether to go in and save her which would have led to a riot and many more deaths - or just allow one person to die. When the militia left we took her down and buried her. Most 21 year-olds are out getting drunk, but I’ve got that little girl on my conscience and I will until I die. The nightmares would make me go into the bathroom, lock the door and cry for hours.” But the Army refuses to accept that he suffers from mental health problems.