Haunter by war, Iraq vet smashes police station

06:50 - 11 August 2007

FORMER SOLDIER HAUNTED BY WAR SMASHED POLICE STATION

CAROL SAUNDERS COURT REPORTER



A former soldier said to be haunted by the horrors he saw while serving in Iraq couldn't remember smashing numerous doors and windows at Plymouth's Charles Cross police station, a court heard.

Adam Wood, aged 21, caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage when he smashed four windows in a shelter near the building, two door panels and a telephone box outside on November 9 last year.

Wood, of Redhill Close, Ernesettle, believed he was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following his "horrific" experiences in Iraq, and had turned to drink to try and forget his troubles, said his solicitor Graham Kinchin at Plymouth Magistrates Court.

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If you go back to read this report, you will find the comments depressing. They were of the opinion this veteran had a bad temper, drank too much and then tried to hide behind PTSD. Easy to assume if you know nothing about PTSD.

Wood is only 21. Could you imagine the thought of being diagnosed with what most people think is a mental illness and therefore would label him as crazy at that age? It is one thing to think you have a problem and quite another to hear the words coming out of psychologists mouth.

Some of them do end up with drinking problems because they are alcoholics but most drink to kill off feelings they have and don't want to feel. They are self-medicating. Some of them do have anger problems as rage builds inside of them, while others use anger to cover up for the fact they don't want to allow anyone to get too close to them.

They are humans. We all tend to build our own walls to protect ourselves until we can trust someone. A lot of people marry thinking the really know the person, only to find out when they feel comfortable to show what is really inside of them they are totally different. Check the divorce rates lately?

We get angry beyond what is considered to be a normal reaction and we blow things out of proportion. I have one hell of a temper myself. I'm slow to angry and end up exploding when I finally do, then I calm down and I'm over it. Grudges are not style. Yet when it comes to people with PTSD, anger is the only emotion they will allow to come out.

As they begin to heal and understand what PTSD, they cry a lot. The walls begin to come down and emotions they were afraid to feel are beginning to wake up. Maybe this is what Woods was going through. I don't know for sure and only a psychologist sitting in front of him running tests would be able to know that. It sounds as if he may have it. What I do know is that there are too many people who would rather look at someone with PTSD and think they are anything but wounded.

Kathie Costos

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