Posted on Jul 23, 2015
With all the talk of PTSD theses days... Did you know - More Than 200,000 Vietnam Vets Still Have PTSD
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With all the talk of PTSD on Rally Point, and in the Media, stemming from post 911 combat operations, I thought this was interesting. PTSD is not a new issue or disability, nor it is solely a military veterans issue. It has gone by other names thru the years in the military like "soldier’s heart, exhausted heart, shell shock, combat stress, combat neurosis, and combat related stress disorder."
A 1991 (below) study and scholarly article put that number from Vietnam much higher.
"Unfortunately, the attitude that combat veterans with psychological problems are really malingerers trying to gain economically is still with us today. That attitude, combined with veterans’ pride and distrust, accounts for the fact that, while a Research Triangle Institute study concludes 830,000 Vietnam veterans have full-blown or partial PTSD, only 55,119 have filed claims, and the adjudication boards have only believed 28,411 (July 1990) of those claimants."
http://time.com/3967590/vietnam-veterans-ptsd/
http://www.vva.org/archive/TheVeteran/2005_03/feature_HistoryPTSD.htm
A 1991 (below) study and scholarly article put that number from Vietnam much higher.
"Unfortunately, the attitude that combat veterans with psychological problems are really malingerers trying to gain economically is still with us today. That attitude, combined with veterans’ pride and distrust, accounts for the fact that, while a Research Triangle Institute study concludes 830,000 Vietnam veterans have full-blown or partial PTSD, only 55,119 have filed claims, and the adjudication boards have only believed 28,411 (July 1990) of those claimants."
http://time.com/3967590/vietnam-veterans-ptsd/
http://www.vva.org/archive/TheVeteran/2005_03/feature_HistoryPTSD.htm
PTSD
Wounded Warriors
Wounded Warrior Project
Vietnam War
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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PTSD is one of those things that I feel people have a hard time getting their head around. For years it was one of those things you just didn't talk about. It has been called a bunch of different things throughout the years and sadly, for those 200,000 Vietnam Veterans the help wasn't readily around as it is now. The one thing that I think holds many Veterans back from getting help is the stigma that surrounds it.
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SGT Ben Keen
SGM Steve Wettstein - Sadly having to wait for treatment is all to common these days. As you pointed out it took months for you to get treated. The system is far from perfect that is for sure.
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SGT Ben Keen
COL Charles Williams - All great points. That is one of the reasons I've chosen to be more vocal about my experiences. I'm very open and honest of what I been through when I'm asked to speak to a group of people or interviewed in the news. The only want to break the stigma is to show that we are still able to do "that job" regardless of the issue.
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COL Charles Williams
SGT Ben Keen - The funny thing was, while I was working with the Army Suicide Prevention effort and Health Promotions, this issue was front and center. The folks tell us to seek help, and even the senior leaders that explained they had issues, were just that senior leaders... They had already made it through the ranks. I know it is common for young leaders, who need jobs (SL, PSG, PL, Commander, 1SG etc) to keep this quiet, because they don't believe it will be looked on kindly, or really stay private... I was worried as a Colonel in Command, and my issues were minimal. But, nevertheless, I was keeping it too myself. I believe we want to help, but I also believe, we tend to think anyone suffering from a mental issue is weak, weird, odd, etc. It is odd, as we don't think that when blow out a knee, a shoulder, or sustain a combat injury.
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The VA process is frustrating and too many veterans refuse to deal with the VA red tape. Long lines, long waiting time before you can see your primary care doctor and addition waiting if you must see a specialist are issues veterans don't want to deal with.
Vietnam veteran still feel betrayed by the government and lack trust in the system.
Vietnam veteran still feel betrayed by the government and lack trust in the system.
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PO2 Brandon Boucher
There are other methods besides what the VA offers. http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2012/11/meditations-positive-residual-effects/
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PO2 Brandon Boucher
Let me elaborate. I have found meditation to be very helpful, so much so that I went and got certified on how to teach it. Now I'm putting together a program for Veterans and working with Practitioners from all over the world. In Boston we have had great success and I have a network of people who are willing to help.
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Sgt Joe LaBranche
Brandon, thank you for the meditation article. I would like to hear more about the program you are putting together. I am the founder and president of aboutface-usa.org. We pair veterans with special needs individuals and teach them farming on a Tower Garden, provide them Equine-AssitanceTherapy, Tapping Therapy, Beekeeping, and other holistic forms of therapy. Take a look at our website and let's see if we can help one another.
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PO2 Brandon Boucher
I will absolutely do that Joe. I am part of a mindfulness and spiritual training school (non religious) that spans 46 countries and we have facilitators and guides in most places. I'm more then willing to help connect Vets and practitioners. In fact I'm looking to start a weekly practice in Framingham, MA in the next couple of weeks, just need to figure out a time that works for everyone. There is no limit to the size and it only costs $10 for a 90 minute session!
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SGT Kris Larsh
I agree, I know a lot of people who served in Vietnam whom suffer from PTSD and are still fighting the VA for compensation. One Vietnam vet told me what surprises him is how many OIF/OEF are claiming PTSD, compared to Vietnam when speaking of ratios.
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SGT Tim. Wilson
The unfortunate thing with the VA is if your PTSD is not Combat or Sexual Assault related they WILL NOT give you a rating for it. Even if it's LEO related.
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