UK problem with PTSD is fraction of what US is seeing

While the US troops go to Iraq or Afghanistan for what was a 15 month tour and now they are shooting for a 12 month tour, notice that the UK has a problem with PTSD and it comes from one 6 month tour. Our troops, some of them are on their 5th tour of duty. Reminder, the Army said redeployments increase the risk of PTSD by 50% for each time back. Do you think we're only seeing the beginning of all of this? My guess is we ain't seen nothing yet and we are no where near being prepared for any of it.

April 26, 2009

Scores of troops traumatised by Afghan war


Michael Smith
THE first evidence of the trauma suffered by troops fighting in Afghanistan has been revealed, with scores needing treatment for mental disorders.

More than 230 troops – 4% of the fighting force – were diagnosed with psychological ailments after a single six-month tour, newly released Ministry of Defence figures show.

The figures back up claims by the forces charity Combat Stress that the numbers of soldiers suffering posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental illnesses are dramatically worse than in other recent conflicts.

“We are seeing the bow wave of a much greater problem,” Toby Elliott, the charity’s chief executive, said. “The numbers are beginning to mount up.” The latest data cover the period from March to October 2007 when there were 5,700 British troops in Afghanistan. They show that 234 soldiers were diagnosed with psychological disorders when they returned home.


This was at the bottom of this article,,,,,the UK is not going to send more troops to Afghanistan.

Brown vetoes reinforcements

GORDON BROWN has vetoed any further British involvement in the US troop surge in Afghanistan, according to senior defence sources.

The move has caused dismay within the British Army, whose commanders have requested an extra brigade of up to 3,500 men for Afghanistan.

It is also an embarrassment for John Hutton, the defence secretary, who has criticised Britain’s Nato partners for depending on the Americans to provide the bulk of Nato troops.

The prime minister has decided that since the US was prepared to dispatch 10,000 troops to Helmand, the most dangerous province in Afghanistan, Britain did not need to send any more.

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Scores of troops traumatised by Afghan war