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Not to hijack the thread, but did veterans from other wars suffer from PTSD like our Vietnam vets have?
since the human response to trauma is nearly universal, it is safe to say that returning soldiers have been suffering from ptsd since the first battles in our history.
it has just taken 10,000 years for us to begin to recognize and understand the emotional and mental toll that it exacts on those that live through it.
One of the best books on PTSD is "Achillis in Viet-nam" by a Doctor Shea of the Boston Veterans hospital. He relates behavior learned in combat in the Trojan Wars to the Veteran's of Viet-Nam. Same sh**, different era.
What other evidence is needed for combat verification ? I was on a 155 Howitzer on an LZ (Carolyn) that was hit one night by a regiment of NVA. I have my advancement orders (in country) travel orders to Phouc Vinh for DEROS, and of course the pictures of LZ life in 'Nam during my 14 month tour. Put bodies in helos, kicked a severed head the morning after and saw more than that. Been a long time but the memories don't go away, never have-just though I would deal with it personally.
PTSD after 40 yrs? Well I believe it because after 20yrs in I've just been diagnosed w/ it. Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I'm still AD however and like you I just dealt w/ it as I personally didn't feel like I was affected. Well, that bus went off a cliff today and now I have to see specialists and I'm currently deployed. Roughly my 18th deployment (I lost count after 14 in 2001) so none of this is new to me but something was a trigger and I can't shake it. The least of my worries is 26 days of no sleep and it just compounds the problem. I know this much...I don't want the added stress any longer and I'm retiring because of it, my wife too is retiring w/ me as she is AD as well and tested positive for depression & PTSD. I see why now when folks retire they look for a simplier life...military life itself is not an easy adjustment and requires A LOT of sacrfice folks may or may not realize. I'm a Army brat too so I've got my entire life in this and I'm tired (both Pop and Stepfather did 24+yrs). Both my of them told 20 and no more and I'm going to listen even though I wanted to do one last yr. I need to move onto to something else no matter how good it's been to me. I've served my 20+.
I really don't have no advice for you but I wanted to let you know you are not alone. Not any real consolation there I know but the advice given in previous threads--I'd follow.
Good luck and thank you for your sacrifice/service!
What other evidence is needed for combat verification ? I was on a 155 Howitzer on an LZ (Carolyn) that was hit one night by a regiment of NVA. I have my advancement orders (in country) travel orders to Phouc Vinh for DEROS, and of course the pictures of LZ life in 'Nam during my 14 month tour. Put bodies in helos, kicked a severed head the morning after and saw more than that. Been a long time but the memories don't go away, never have-just though I would deal with it personally.
I'd say what you have...and a DD-214 should be enough to get things started. My FIL is currently battling a pretty severe case of PTSD (Vietnam). He has been jumping through VA hoops for 5 years...and only this past month got a 30% disability rating. He'll get 100%...but it's a painful road. He did not have enough paperwork to verify combat zone...so it took a long time to get the correct documentation.
You have more than he did...so hopefully yours goes more smoothly.
Best wishes and my heartfelt thanks for your service!
My father is an Army vet. It took him almost 10 years to get classified as 100% disabled. He has health issues as well as PTSD.
He had to jump through so many hoops and at times he was thinking it just wasnt worth the headache.. however now he is able to support himself, his child, and his wife with his check. It was hard when he tried to work.. so it is worth it!
People from other wars have suffered from PTSD, or more accurately CSD (combat stress disorder). In fact military persons returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have a higher rate of CSD than any other war, and the suicide rate in the military is sky rocketing... lots of it due to untreated CSD. What is now known as CSD has been around as long as wars have been around, but the name of the problem has changed throughout time.
An interesting interview with a few veterans discussing PTSD.
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srzbFUFh32M&feature=channel_page]YouTube - PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (Veterans and War)[/url]
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PTSD Veterans
