Warnings ignored PTSD rates in older veterans would rise

In 2001, right after 9-11, after being turned down by publishers for almost a year, I was in a panic to get my book out in print. I paid to have it published so that people would be made aware of what was to come. It was one of the biggest mistakes I've made in my life to go the self-publishing route, but I don't regret trying to warn people.

Back then the media, even the local newspapers were not talking about PTSD. They didn't want to be bothered by it. Publishers were not interested either. Very few books had been published on PTSD.

My husband was in treatment and even he had an increase in his problems. His doctor and I had a great relationship and we talked often about the increase in older veterans seeking treatment for PTSD by the VA. They were seeing veterans of Vietnam being joined by veterans of Korea and WWII. I have been trying to warn people ever since but no one would listen. I was not alone in sounding the alarm.

Though the years, my focus was on trying to get rid of the stigma of PTSD, but when this kept getting worse year after year for them, it became a dual mission to remove the stigma as well as educate those who were suffering from it so they could get help early.

They had years to get ready for what was coming but they ignored it. Now the only people paying for the ignorance of the government and their failure to act, are the veterans still paying the price. No one is held accountable and no one is found responsible. Everyone offers excuses.

If someone like me, not trained but in the trenches, could figure this out, why couldn't the people paid to do it, do the same? Where were all the experts back in 2001 when they could have been screaming about this and making people pay attention to them? Where was the media when all the indicators were already glowing red?

Iraq stress hits veterans of past wars
Most PTSD cases locally are triggered by stories, images of current conflict.
By Denny Boyles / The Fresno Bee
09/24/07 04:21:23
The war in Iraq has caused an increase in the number of local veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, an anxiety illness that can make it difficult -- or even impossible -- to lead a normal life.
But relatively few of those seeking treatment fought in Iraq. Instead, the televised images of war -- and daily news of bombings and deaths -- have caused the disorder to surface in Vietnam and Korean war veterans who have been off the battlefield for decades.
At Fresno's VA hospital, 190 new patients are referred for treatment of PTSD each month.
Up to 80% are older veterans who served in Vietnam and Korea and suffer from anxiety, anger or depression.
They did not seek treatment before because they didn't know they had the disorder or they didn't want to ask for help, say VA officials.
They believe the trend is seen elsewhere as well, and will continue as the war in Iraq progresses.
Dr. Cara Zuccarelli Miller, a clinical psychologist at the Fresno VA, said many older veterans only become aware that they have PTSD because they recognize their symptoms in those returning from Iraq who have been diagnosed.
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