New Cases Of PTSD Soar Among Soldiers

40,000 Cases Diagnosed Since 2003; Army Surgeon General Fears The Number Is Actually Higher

(AP)  The number of troops with new cases of post-traumatic stress disorder jumped by roughly 50 percent in 2007 amid the military buildup in Iraq and increased violence there and in Afghanistan.

Records show roughly 40,000 troops have been diagnosed with the illness, also known as PTSD, since 2003. Officials believe that many more are likely keeping their illness a secret.

"I don't think right now we ... have good numbers," Army Surgeon General Eric Schoomaker said Tuesday.

Defense officials had not previously disclosed the number of PTSD cases from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Army statistics showed there were nearly 14,000 newly diagnosed cases across the services in 2007 compared with more than 9,500 new cases the previous year and 1,632 in 2003.

Schoomaker attributed the big rise over the years partly to the fact that officials started an electronic record system in 2004 that captures more information, and to the fact that as time goes on the people keeping records are more knowledgeable about the illness.

He also blamed increased exposure of troops to combat.

Factors increasing troop exposure to combat in 2007 included President Bush's troop buildup and the fact that 2007 was the most violent year in both conflicts.

More troops also were serving their second, third or fourth tours of duty - a factor mental health experts say dramatically increases stress. And in order to supply enough forces for the buildup, officials also extended tour lengths to 15 months from 12, another factor that caused extra emotional strain.

Officials have been encouraging troops to get help even if it means they go to civilian therapists and don't report it to the military.

"We're trying very hard to encourage soldiers and families to seek care and to not have them feel in any way, shape or form that we're looking over their shoulder or that we're invading their privacy," Schoomaker told a group of defense writers.

Noting that stigma is a problem in American civilian society, not just the military, he said, "I think that's the preferred way to do it."

The accounting of diagnosed cases released Tuesday shows those hardest hit last year were Marines and Army personnel, the two ground forces bearing the brunt of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Army reported more than 10,000 new cases last year, compared with more than 6,800 new cases the previous year. More than 28,000 soldiers altogether were diagnosed with the disorder over the last five years, the data showed.

The Marine Corps had more than 2,100 new cases in 2007, compared with 1,366 in 2006. More than 5,000 Marines have been diagnosed with PTSD since 2003, the data showed.

Navy officials who would have data on Marine health issues did not return a phone call seeking to confirm the numbers released by Schoomaker's office.

Schoomaker said he believes PTSD is widely misunderstood by the press and the public - and that what is often just normal post-traumatic anxiety and stress is mistaken for full-blown PTSD.

Experts say many troops have symptoms of stress, such as nightmares and flashbacks, and can get better with early treatment.

The Pentagon had previously only given a percentage of troops believed affected by depression, anxiety, stress and so on - saying up to 20 percent return home with symptoms of mental health problems. A recent private study estimated that could mean up to 300,000 of those who've served have symptoms.

The Veterans Affairs Department said recently it has seen some 120,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who have received at least a preliminary mental health diagnosis, with PTSD being the most common diagnosis at nearly 60,000.

An undisclosed number of troops also go to private care providers who are part of the huge military health care system. Schoomaker noted that National Guard and Reserve troops often go home to communities where there is not a veterans facility nearby.

"We're working very hard with the VA and with the National Guard and Reserves to get a better feel for, a grasp on, how big this is," Schoomaker said, adding that over time officials will be able to collect data and get "a better feel for, handle on, the numbers."

[feelfree4u]

deacon20081,

Good story.

Thanks for sharing.

[feelfree4u]

Re: "The time for claiming that they were "just following orders, just doing their job" has passed."

Regards,

Posted by Nancy_Naive

I would have to agree.

[deacon20081]

I suffered from Post Tramatic Stress for several years which was caused by a sever head injury. Loss of your sense of smell, taste, and the feeling that you are someone else, yet you are yourself at the same time, are common. It is real. However the brain does heal albiet very very slowly. I needed 5 years to recover for the most part. The only lasting positive effect? To this day I can not smell a skunk, period. It could walk through my front door and I would miss it unless I saw it.
Many of the soldiers who have had brain injuries can recover if you can keep them from self-medicating.
That requires the Military start treating them and the VA to recognize there is a problem.

[bm6005]

And some may have PTSD and others do not. I''''d really like to know why there are so many cases these days.. ?
Posted by *********

It always existed,in earlier wars they were called shell shocked. Met quite a few Korean leftovers in the Army who were seriously F*k''d up.

[coppertales]

Follow the money, aka disability payments......

[bcbbkake]

My Poppy never talked about WWII, but his discharge papers say that he served at Normandy and earned 5 Bronze Stars. He joined the Army and attained citizenship; at that time Native Americans were not US citizens. He was a Muscogee Creek, as am I. His son went to Vietnam, as did my Father and Husband. Today I speak of my husband, who came home to a country that didn''t want him, even his own family. His Father served in Korea, and can''t even speak of it to this day. Even so, after a month back home they expected my Husband to just be normal, go get a job. He couldn''t. He instead wandered this country like so many others, homeless. He finally got a good job when he was 25, and 29 years later still works for that company. About 2 years ago he started having flashbacks of Vietnam and just lost it, no warning. Put a 9mm under his chin. He lived. The point is, if symptoms of PTSD are not evident immediately, they lie just under the surface, and who can say what would make them come up over 30 years later? 6 months after, when he wanted to go back to work, his company would not allow it until he was "released" by a psychiatrist. The company psychologist, who has known him 20+ years would not do it. After 2 visits at the VA, a doctor certified him "good to go", and the company had no choice but to let him return. The VA did help, but I suspect because their goal is to push them through due to the fact that there are too many for the system to handle. So, now what?

[wakeup60]

samrousho...The people fighting over there for you and for me-are far more worthy of immeasurable praise and indebtedness rather than your cheap, lowdown hidious characterizations!No matter for what reason they have been sent over there/or told what they are fighting for..."Only burger-flippers or released prisoners are the only ones-?How dare you-whoever you are.These demoralizing,demeaning, depraved, despicable, dishonorable-cuts to the quick-Dissing young men and women and their sacrifices for your hide? You are not worthy of wiping their feet!These soldiers are our country.You''re the debauched,the disgraceful,inconsiderable,trifling,dishonorable one/ with your slams and slander.When they run out of volunteers & resort to the draft/karma will come back and bite you on your Heartless,Republican a$$! Obama will get them home!

[wakeup60]

GOPsoccermom!...What the h$ll are you talking about? Clinton''s fault? Your statements don''t make sense or even deserve a retort/This "ONE"/This "WAR"/All of it''s DASTARDLY DEEDS & DAMAGE TO EACH AND EVERY PRICELESS SOLDIER of this country-fighting for everyone of us-belongs to "DUBYA"-ALONE!All the "Corrupt, calculated, caddish, contemptible, control-freak-crackpot cowardly ACTIONS-DECISIONS-MISTAKES-totally belong to "YOUR" Commander in Chief/you can''t see the forest for the "BUSH"-CAN YOU!"Right" in front of your eyes-Thought ELEPHANTS have a good memory/not GOP ones evidently/plus blind to the FACTS as well!Our kids ARE PAYING DEARLY FOR HIS BLUNDERS/WRONG REASONING/HIS MISTAKES-GIVE GEORGE "ALL" THE CREDIT/CAN''T BLAME THIS ATROCITY ON ANYONE ELSE! OBAMA WILL BRING THEM HOME-JUST CANNOT GET THEM HOME SOON ENOUGH!4100...ENOUGH!!! ENOUGH!!!

[red164]

The number of troops with new cases of post-traumatic stress disorder jumped by roughly 50 percent in 2007 amid the military buildup in Iraq and increased violence there and in Afghanistan.

Records show roughly 40,000 troops have been diagnosed with the illness, also known as PTSD, since 2003. Officials believe that many more are likely keeping their illness a secret.


What a legacy George is leaving Americans to live with for the next fifty years

[red164]

strange mr ptsd himself Bush or Cheney is not posting on this one




Posted by jamesm12341 at 07:49 AM : May 28, 2008

[red164]

This is Bushs fault for starting an illegal war, not having proper troop rotations and lying to the troops about the mission. It was all for oil!


Posted by gopsoccermom at 09:16 AM : May 28, 2008

Now you got it right.

[gopsoccermom]

This is Clintons fault for being easy on the army by not starting wars and getting them battle hardened.

[riptide213]

SITREP

Americas All Volunteer Force is burnt out.

High speed low drag political objectives are overdriving an unsustainable military operational tempo.

Subtle subterfuges are quietly achieving a backdoor draft by stealth.

All enlistments incur an Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) legal obligation for 8 years of service commitment.

STOP LOSS.

In Lieu of Taskings.

Army 15 month combat tours. No limit on numbers of tours incurred.

Mandated block leave. Use it or lose it.

Current CINC not backing a better pay rise for his troops.

Potential CINC talking 5 to 100 years more of the same and not backing a better GI Bill with longer commitment strings attached.

VA staffers attempting to conceal and divert PTSD diagnosis.

The Good News is BOHICA SNAFU TARFU FUBAR. Hooah.

Just another Combat Groundhog Day in the box.

Cause and effect.

[chobella]

To the American troops of every branch I beg of you to please lay down your weopons. You are doing a very bad thing in following orders of Geroge W. Bush. It has been proven over and over that this war is without cause. George Bush has admitted to approving torture of these wars and has plans to Invade and torture Iran before he leaves office. For the sake of what''s right, humanity and the acts that you would not want happening here in America, you must stop. It is the most couragious thing any and all of you could ever do. And we as American people will honor you with the medical treatment and housing you have earned and each and everyone brave enough to cease fire a purple heart metal for non compliance with and out of control ditation that enjoys the slaughter of these people who did nothing against America.

[neoconrcrazy]

why don''t they just call it the "bush disorder"

which would more simple, more truthful.

[feelfree4u]

Re: "New Cases Of PTSD Soar Among Soldiers"

Here are examples of why:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf9o-QjV0hw&eurl=http://ivaw.org/node/3526

Our abominable efforts against Iraq and Afghanistan are clearly taking a substantial and horrific toll on our own soldiers, in addition to the primary victims.

FeelFree

[samrensho]

"The military is not a career for everybody."

Just those who are already in prison or whose only job prospect is flipping burgers.

[nonayabiness]

John McCain must have PTSD after his ordeal. Therefore, unfortunately, he has a mental disorder and is not qualified to act as President of the US.

[alphaa10-2009]

Few Americans realize another scandal burns out of control in our armed services-- sexual assaults on enlisted women. The DOD, itself, reports sexual assaults increased 73 percent from 2004 to 2006.

In 2007, only 181 of 2212 cases investigated were referred for courts martial-- the military equivalent of a criminal prosecution.

In only half the cases does military leadership take action. Unbelievable as it seems, many enlisted men have been given only "administrative sanctions" after a sexual assault accusation-- confined to barracks, etc.

The military is not a career for everybody. But it is and should remain a patriotic option for both men and women who want to serve their country. Parents whose daughters want to serve must think twice about the fact our military does not take their safety as a serious matter.

(This data comes from US Rep. Jane Harman, an advocate of prompt reforms in the US military to reduce sexual assaults in the ranks.)

[brianbwb-2009]

"40,000 Cases Diagnosed Since 2003; Army Surgeon General Fears The Number Is Actually Higher"

After the story about the memo instructing the VA to deny as many ptsd cases as they can, to "save money", the ASG only "fears"?

Come on CBS, this is not news. Tell your editor that I can get better information than that, give me a salary and let me use their access, I can get true stories that will shock and sell.