FORMER ARMY OFFICIAL SAYS PTSD IS DIFFICULT ISSUE

FORMER ARMY OFFICIAL SAYS PTSD IS DIFFICULT ISSUE

By: Dennis E. “Mac” McGowan, author of “The Living Diet: Conquer Stress in your life now!”



The problems of reintegrating into civilian life are very many, but leaders are placing emphasis on understanding and adjusting to those realities, according to the former Special Assistant for Mental Health, Office of the Army Surgeon General.

Speaking March 15 on C-Span television, Colonel Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, MD (retired) said that reintegration was a real problem for all, especially those soldiers serving in the National Guard.

The Colonel told the viewing audience that often, “There is no supporting community” waiting for them when they return home.

They find themselves isolated because other family members and neighbors cannot relate to their war experiences.

Recurring deployments have a major impact on a soldier’s mental health, she added.

A study of male deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan from 2001-2010 by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center showed that 42% were deployed twice, 13% deployed three times, 4% four times and 1% five times.

Female deployments during the same period disclosed that 31% were deployed twice, 7% three times, 2% four times and .5% five times.

She reported that females and males have very similar issues with PTSD.

In addition, “There are other stressors for females.”

These stressors include managing their reproductive issues while deployed in the field; and taking care of minor children and elderly parents when deployed.

“Women are often the lynch pin” and nucleus of the family, she said.

Results of increased tours include higher rates of suicide.

A DOD Task Force report concluded that about 70% of suicides involve romantic issues and breakups. The remaining 30% are due to legal and occupational problems (including hazing). This is frequently related to the high, up-beat tempo of the units.

“Dwell time matters,” she commented, mentioning that leaders believe that 2-3 years of dwell time, or down time, is needed in the U.S. to reset after a deployment.

The country’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan has not allowed sufficient time to reset.

She compared the difference between the Vietnam War and current military operations.

“During Vietnam, you had front lines; you could go on R & R and you usually had one tour,” she said.

Today, there are no front lines for the war. You cannot escape the daily fighting.

“You are under intense pressure.”

There is no R & R because travel within the country is so dangerous.

And there is lots of stress in traveling to and from the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs).

There have been attempts to use tele-medicine procedures with the FOBs, largely unsuccessful due to limited bandwidth.

“The military recognizes that numerous deployments create hardships on its forces.”

They also recognize the frequent deployments increase instances of PTSD. The military has attempted to reduce the stigma associated with PTSD, but Colonel Cameron Ritchie added, “It will never be completely eliminated and will continue as a barrier to treatment.”

PTSD issues are difficult for all soldiers. The doctors and nurses often find their clinics 90% full of local, long-term patients. They are also faced with handling acute treatments for wounded soldiers.

There is such a high, upbeat tempo overseas as well as at U.S. bases that there is limited time for a soldier to decompress.

Cameron Ritchie emphasized that soldiers don’t like to admit they have mental health issues because of the stigma and possible career consequences.

“They don’t want to check ‘yes.’ They only want to get home as quickly as possible,” she said.

Months, even years later, the mental health issues emerge.