Vietnam Cases Paved Way For Modern Understanding of PTSD

Stresses of war and home 
Vietnam cases paved way for modern understanding of PTSD
Fort Hood Herald
Jacob Brooks Herald staff writer
Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Courtesy of the 1st Cavalry Division Museum Vietnam War In this undated photo from the Vietnam War, an American soldier runs to pick up the body of a fallen comrade. Stress disorder experienced by Vietnam veterans during and after the war helped pave the way for the modern understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder.

For many American soldiers in Vietnam, the stress that comes with being on the battlefield didn’t end when they left the war zone. It followed them home.

“I had people calling me Uncle Tom and (accusing me of) fighting the white man’s war,” said Ernest Montgomery, 66, a Vietnam veteran who moved to Killeen after Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home in New Orleans in 2005.

In some ways, the treatment at home was as stressful as being stationed in Vietnam, said Montgomery, a former artilleryman with the XXIV Corps.

“We couldn’t be open with it,” said Montgomery, who was drafted into the Army and was sent to Vietnam in 1970 at age 22. “I don’t remember what I was like before the war.”

Montgomery said the stress of war coupled with the stress of the cold, sometimes hostile, reception back home contributed to his development of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“You’re always expecting something to happen,” Montgomery said, describing his as “functional PTSD.”

To “numb the pain,” Montogmery said he became addicted to heroin for years. However, his wife, Patricia, ultimately pulled him back from the brink and into a sustainable lifestyle.

“Even though I acted like a fool for a long time, she stuck with me,” said Montgomery, a retired truck driver.

Many Vietnam veterans have similar stories. While the term PTSD only came out after the war, its understanding was influenced greatly by the experiences and conditions of Vietnam veterans.
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Vietnam Veterans Remembered
Mar 29, 2015

Vietnam veterans said they would never leave one generation behind. They fought for each other and for all generations but have been forgotten. Reporters just don't have time for them or reminding anyone that they waited longer, suffered longer, are the majority of the suicides, attempted suicides and those waiting for claims to be honored by the VA.

Had it not been for them, nothing would have been done on PTSD.

When you watch this video, you'll see that they deserve just as much attention as the newer veterans. The problem is, none of our veterans get enough of anything!