Wounded Times research proves there is nothing new on PTSD

Wounded Times research proves there is nothing new on PTSD
Wounded Times Blog
Kathie Costos
June 20, 2013

I think you'll file this under "does not play well with others" because my patience is gone. It left the building a couple of years ago. When I read crap from someone who should know better as a "professional" it makes my head hurt as much as it makes my heart break.

I was reading, yet again, another article by Elspeth Cameron Ritchie getting something else wrong and ignoring the obvious. Among some things in her latest article she writes "What is exciting, for me, are the new treatments for PTSD." Sounds as if there is something new being done. Yet when she lists them there is nothing new about any of them and cause me to leave this comment.

"Despite the monthly exhortations, most service members do not seek help for PTSD or the related illness of depression. They fear that treatment will end their careers." shows what the DOD is doing is not working. When will they change what does not work? We've been studying combat and PTSD for 40 years!

Take a look at some facts Ritchie missed.
Acupuncture clinical trial 2006
PTSD Service Dogs clinical trails 2011
Virtual Reality, 2009
Nothing new has come out in years. As for "blocking" they have been also trying that for years and most experts have scoffed at it. In 2008, scientist discovered the cells that are "the glue" that keeps bad memories stuck in the brain.

Also in 2008, they tried to figure out who would end up with PTSD.

Then Neuroscientists at The University of Queensland have discovered a new way to explain how emotional events can sometimes lead to disturbing long term memories also in 2008.

Then the Army and the National Institute of Mental Health began a five-year, $50 million research program into the factors behind soldier suicides and how to prevent them. Lot of good that did since last year was the highest suicides tied to military service.

I can go on and on linking to reports found right here on Wounded Times proving there is nothing "new" or exciting. Until people in position of authority and given a huge audience like TIME awaken to the fact they lack the ability to honestly research what they are attempting to write about, nothing will ever change. Wounded Times does not have an archive of over 19,000 reports for nothing. All the reports were available online for anyone really interested in discovering what has really been going on.

Some Hope Amid the Calendar’s Grim Pages
TIME Battleland
By Elspeth Cameron Ritchie
June 19, 2013

June is PTSD Awareness Month.

May was Mental Health Awareness Month.

September will be Suicide Awareness Month. More public-service announcements about “seeking help is a sign of strength.”

Despite the monthly exhortations, most service members do not seek help for PTSD or the related illness of depression. They fear that treatment will end their careers.

A plethora of efforts has not reduced the suicide rate in service members. So what is newsworthy or new?

One organization, Honor for All, is hosting an event June 22 here in Washington, D.C. General Ray Odierno, the Army chief of staff, is scheduled to speak.

While I look forward to such events, I am cynical about whether speeches or awareness can reduce PTSD and suicide. What is exciting, for me, are the new treatments for PTSD.

We have written about Complementary and Alternative Medicine in a series in Psychiatric Annals, a leading purveyor of continuing medical education for psychiatrists.

For the last six months, we have discussed and debated acupuncture, stellate ganglion block, virtual reality, yoga, and other as-yet unproven treatments as possible therapies. They offer promising avenues for research, hope for the afflicted, and a promise from mental-health professionals that we will not quit until we can better help those with PTSD.
read more here

Read THE WARRIOR SAW, SUICIDES AFTER WAR and discover what else they have not been telling you.
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book May 14, 2013
By James G. Young
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you have not read anything Kathie has written you are at a major disadvantage when discussing PTSD. She has a first hand account of dealing with this herself as the wife of a Nam vet, but then devoting her life to understanding the dilemma and helping others understand it as well. I consider Kathie a highly knowledgable contact with regards to this subject and have consulted her many times.

Kathie truely has the inside pulse in understanding the issues here, the denial of our govenment and the failures of the administrations to come to grips with how best to deal with it. Our govenment is trying to find a series of magic bullets (medications) that some practioners hand out like candy because they have nothing else to give and lack the compassion needed.

Straighforward, if you haven't read this book or spoken to Kathie you are at a major disadvantage. Great Book Kathie, well written and researched, should be made mandatory reading for anyone dealing with or discussing PTSD.