Re-read everything that I have researched and discussed on this site and try to imagine the strength a soldier must have to get up everyday with the fear of being shot, losing a leg from a mine, or contracting a foreign disease. Imagine losing sight of your ultimate goal and forget why you are even fighting in the first place. Imagine making it back to the states welcomed home by the sights of protestors who despise the mere image of you as you are likened to murders for your involvement. Imagine your only escape is drugs and alcohol and ultimately suicide. 30% of men and 27% of woman suffered this fate as they were diagnosed with PTSD as a direct result from their involvement in the Vietnam War (22).
In order to discuss Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in further detail, it is important to understand that it is a mental health disease that requires extensive treatment. I know how devastating this disease can be, as I watched as my father's cousin struggle with it for four years after his tour in Iraq before ultimately overdosing on cocaine at the age of 25. I was confused as I was only ten years old at the time, but as I have spent the most time researching this particular topic I now have a much better understanding. PTSD can be caused by a variety of traumatic events however, stress is arguably the most influential factor in regard to the Vietnam War (23). There were two forms of stress; the stress of the battlefield and the stress back home.
"There was no frontline, once you were there you were in it" claims Lieutenant David F. who served in the air force from 1972-1975 (24). There was a tangible sense of paranoia in the battalions of the United States military. The sound of rockets and grenades constantly drowned out any thoughts of leaving the war unscathed. Iconically known as the 'war on television', the US government became increasingly aware of this situation after seeing these horrific images firsthand on the nightly news. Again, WRAIR was called on to investigate the affect of being surrounded by these debilitating images. Using the 9th Medical Laboratory as their headquarters, the group ran blood tests on soldiers who had been in combat for over four months. They found that by controlling the temperature at which they were monitored significantly effected the stress levels of their patients (25). Although we know now that this is not the root of PTSD, the military implemented new schedules, new clothing, and better dormitories that helped reduce the heat they experienced. These experiments even led to the first pills known as prophylactic agents, or more commonly known as antidepressants that seemed to help with soldier's stress levels.
On the homefront, veteran's situations were not much better than in Vietnam. "When we came home we were looked at like enemies because there was a lot of people who were against the war, and they were having parades." exclaims first Lieutenant Johnas Freeman in an interview conducted by Sharon Raynok (26). Veterans felt as if they were alone, isolated by their traumatic experiences with no one to turn to. This caused the suicide rate in the United States to rise by 5% in the years following the Vietnam war.
As we are only beginning to understand the complexity of this degenerate disease, we look back on these times as inspiration to find further treatment. Today, soldiers are no longer looked at like ruthless murders but heroes. Organizations like the Wounded Warrior project have done an amazing job providing care for these types of injuries. Please feel free to donate here and help find a cure http://ptsdusa.org/support-u/make-a-donation/.
In order to discuss Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in further detail, it is important to understand that it is a mental health disease that requires extensive treatment. I know how devastating this disease can be, as I watched as my father's cousin struggle with it for four years after his tour in Iraq before ultimately overdosing on cocaine at the age of 25. I was confused as I was only ten years old at the time, but as I have spent the most time researching this particular topic I now have a much better understanding. PTSD can be caused by a variety of traumatic events however, stress is arguably the most influential factor in regard to the Vietnam War (23). There were two forms of stress; the stress of the battlefield and the stress back home.
"There was no frontline, once you were there you were in it" claims Lieutenant David F. who served in the air force from 1972-1975 (24). There was a tangible sense of paranoia in the battalions of the United States military. The sound of rockets and grenades constantly drowned out any thoughts of leaving the war unscathed. Iconically known as the 'war on television', the US government became increasingly aware of this situation after seeing these horrific images firsthand on the nightly news. Again, WRAIR was called on to investigate the affect of being surrounded by these debilitating images. Using the 9th Medical Laboratory as their headquarters, the group ran blood tests on soldiers who had been in combat for over four months. They found that by controlling the temperature at which they were monitored significantly effected the stress levels of their patients (25). Although we know now that this is not the root of PTSD, the military implemented new schedules, new clothing, and better dormitories that helped reduce the heat they experienced. These experiments even led to the first pills known as prophylactic agents, or more commonly known as antidepressants that seemed to help with soldier's stress levels.
On the homefront, veteran's situations were not much better than in Vietnam. "When we came home we were looked at like enemies because there was a lot of people who were against the war, and they were having parades." exclaims first Lieutenant Johnas Freeman in an interview conducted by Sharon Raynok (26). Veterans felt as if they were alone, isolated by their traumatic experiences with no one to turn to. This caused the suicide rate in the United States to rise by 5% in the years following the Vietnam war.
As we are only beginning to understand the complexity of this degenerate disease, we look back on these times as inspiration to find further treatment. Today, soldiers are no longer looked at like ruthless murders but heroes. Organizations like the Wounded Warrior project have done an amazing job providing care for these types of injuries. Please feel free to donate here and help find a cure http://ptsdusa.org/support-u/make-a-donation/.