U.S. Troops Experiencing More Stress Than British In Iraq, Afghanistan Combat

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Posted on 17th May 2010 by Gordon Johnson in Brain Injury

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Nobody knows the reason why yet, but American troops who have seen combat in Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering far higher rates of post-traumatic stress than their British counterparts, according to a new study.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/world/17trauma.html?ref=world

U.S. troops returning to the United States are seeing rates of PTS in the 10 to 15 percent range, while for the British the rate is only 4 percent, notwithstanding the fact that both groups of solidiers have experienced the same amount of combat duty, according to The New York Times Monday.

The newspaper called the new study, whose findings are being reported in the current issue of  the journal The Lancet, http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)60672-1/abstract, “the most rigorous psychiatric study of Britian’s military so far.”

The next question, of course, is why is there such a difference between the level of post-traumatic stress between the American and British soldiers. As a Harvard psychologist, Richard McNally, is quoted in The Times as saying, “The big mystery is why we find these cross-national differences.”

In the study, U.S. Navy, Air Force and Royal Army members were given mental-health questionnaires to fill out from 2007 to 2009. The results were that one in five soldiers had mental health problems, typically depression or anxiety, and 13 percent drank a lot. But not many cited symptoms for post-traumatic stress syndrome, such as flashbacks.     

However, the study did find that reservists reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress more frequently than regular troops.

According to The Times, the researcher who led the study, Dr. Simon Wessely, said that may be why the rate of stress is higher for American soldiers than the British: Reservists account for about 30 percent of the U.S. forces but only 10 percent of the British forces.

Another possible explanation for the higher stress rates for U.S. soldiers is the different ways deployment works in America and Great Britain, according to The Times. American soldiers have tours that last 12 to 15 months, with a year off between tours. The British deploy their troops for six-month tours, with no more than 12 months in every 36 months, The Times reported.   

Attorney Gordon Johnson
Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

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Purple Heart won’t be awarded for PTSD

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Posted on 8th January 2009 by Gordon Johnson in Brain Injury

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Date: 1/8/2009

By PAULINE JELINEK
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon on Thursday sought to assure troops that it takes post-traumatic stress seriously despite the recent decision not to award the Purple Heart to those with the disorder.

An advisory committee concluded that troops coming home from the wars with combat stress cases collectively known as post-traumatic stress disorder will not qualify for the prestigious medal awarded to service members wounded in action.

“I don’t think anybody should assume that that decision is in any way reflective on how seriously we take the problem of PTSD,” Defense Department press secretary Geoff Morrell said. He noted that the military is budgeting money for research, development, treatment and preventive measures.

“Just because an awards committee believes this particular injury does not qualify for this award does not in any way reflect that we don’t take this problem seriously and aren’t committed to doing everything we possibly can toward preventing it, toward treating it, toward taking care of those who are suffering with it,” he told a Pentagon press conference.

Troops with post-traumatic stress can have flashbacks of their time at war, nightmares, sleeplessness and other debilitating symptoms.

Nearly 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan — 300,000 in all — are estimated to have symptoms of PTSD or major depression, according to a study last year by the RAND Corp. research organization.

Though full-blown symptoms may not surface immediately, doctors say symptoms can be lessened and controlled with early treatment and that most people can return to their duties.

The Pentagon decided in November that troops with the disorder cannot be awarded the Purple Heart, but the decision was not known until it appeared Monday on the Web site of Stars and Stripes newspaper.

“The Purple Heart recognizes those individuals wounded to a degree that requires treatment by a medical officer, in action with the enemy or as the result of enemy action where the intended effect of a specific enemy action is to kill or injure the service member,” Defense Department Eileen Lainez said of the decision. “PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.” It is not “a wound intentionally caused by the enemy from an outside force or agent,” but is a secondary effect caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.

Veterans diagnosed with PTSD “still warrant appropriate medical care and disability compensation, Lainez said, and the department “is working hard to encourage service members and their families to seek care for PTSD by reducing the stigma and urging them to seek professional care.”

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On the Net:

Defense Department: http://www.defenselink.mil/

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

Attorney Gordon Johnson
Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

http://subtlebraininjury.com :: http://brainanatomyguide.com :: http://car-accident-rain.com :: http://tbilaw.com
http://waiting.com :: http://vestibulardisorder.com :: http://youtube.com/profile?user=braininjuryattorney