PTSD
Health
Law
Responses: 11
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Yet another example of the media taking something and twisting it to make sales. When the reporter heard the words "Combat Veteran" and "PTSD" everything else went out the window. Should the guy face charges? Yes he should. Does he need help? Yes of course. But what angers me the most is this will just be another example that some people will use to not seek treatment for their own PTSD.
Living with PTSD is no fun. The never ending nightmares, the fear of doing something or going somewhere because you are uncertain if it will set off a trigger. Walking into a restaurant and having to ask for a different table to help with your anxiety. Left to go unchecked and untreated, these along with others can lead to other things like scaling the fence of the White House or worse. Service Members need to seek help. They shouldn't be afraid of being labeled. There is NOTHING wrong with seeking help. Be open and honest with your close friends and family. Tell them what you feel. Get the help!
Living with PTSD is no fun. The never ending nightmares, the fear of doing something or going somewhere because you are uncertain if it will set off a trigger. Walking into a restaurant and having to ask for a different table to help with your anxiety. Left to go unchecked and untreated, these along with others can lead to other things like scaling the fence of the White House or worse. Service Members need to seek help. They shouldn't be afraid of being labeled. There is NOTHING wrong with seeking help. Be open and honest with your close friends and family. Tell them what you feel. Get the help!
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SPC David S.
Yes I agree with you on that the how this is reported as is does not alloy the stigma of mental health issues. If anything it exasperates the indifference of those not familiar with mental health issues. More than likely this individual has coexisting mental health concerns possible psychosis which is the real root of his behavior. And that's what , like your self, gets me upset as this will more likely persuade people not to get help.
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Why is it that whenever a civilian commits a crime you don't often hear them say "He was a truck driver with schizophrenia" or "She was a school teacher with bipolarism" but whenever a veteran does something they NEVER leave out the PTSD thing?
When they do that, no one hears the whole story, they just hear "VETERAN WITH PTSD". That's why we have a hard time finding jobs. That's why doctors ask us if we own guns. A couple of months ago I was talking to a woman from the VA and I was asked about gun ownership AND my sexual orientation. I'll admit I went from zero to pissed in .04 seconds and said "Neither of those things are any of your f***ing business. I'll take my ailments elsewhere." and hung up.
When they do that, no one hears the whole story, they just hear "VETERAN WITH PTSD". That's why we have a hard time finding jobs. That's why doctors ask us if we own guns. A couple of months ago I was talking to a woman from the VA and I was asked about gun ownership AND my sexual orientation. I'll admit I went from zero to pissed in .04 seconds and said "Neither of those things are any of your f***ing business. I'll take my ailments elsewhere." and hung up.
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LTC (Join to see)
I talked to an Army reserve soldier and Iraqi Freedom veteran who was applying to a city police dept. He told me he failed the psych exam. I told him that I believe they may have read into the PTSD thing too far. (He appeared to be very well adjusted to me) The press overdoes this PTSD too much. It could be positive in calling attention to it and developing awareness to get treatment for it. But it also negative by creating prejudice to all veterans thinking they will be at risk to implode on the job. Ironically, the whole doctrine of treating combat stress and PTSD includes de- stigmatizing it (ie recall the soldier-slapping incident in the move Patton) however all the publicity is apparently re-stigmatizing it.
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PTSD is real, and one it is identified, steps are taken to combat the hell it puts us through. It is still on us to get help for it and to be accountable for our actions, especially when we know that we have it.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
Good point Mark but like I said I don't think its relevant to the press's BBQ of the Secret Service.
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SFC Mark Merino
I just wanted to address PTSD as a medical condition and not an excuse. He is very lucky they didn't shoot an intruder right there on the WH lawn.
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While I do understand that PTSD can affect the way folks act and think you still have to be held accountable for your actions. I would be hard pressed to believe that he didn't know that jumping the fence to the White House was illegal regardless of his disability/disorder.
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The last thing that needs done, is that it is tried on Facebook or any form of media. The totality of circumstances must be weighed within the framework of rule of law. Charges will likely be filed, but if he is truly found in need of mental health treatment, I am sure that will weigh heavily in any decisions to prosecute those charges. I can only hope that it may bring to light the continual need for veterans services and not just simply add to the stigma of suffering from PTSD and other issues. Regardless I hope the Secret Service steps up their game in protecting the Commander in Chief, no matter who he or she is.
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When I took combat stress/PTSD training, we've had discussions on a category called "misconduct disorders" Such soldiers would still get consequences for the misconduct/crime committed but they still would get appropriate treatment. Perhaps the penalty could be adjusted if PTSD pays a significant role but there should still be one. We need to help our soldiers (sailors, Marines etc) and veterans with PTSD but we are always accountable for our actions. That's why it also important for soldiers and veterans to get treatment as soon as he/she thinks he/she is affected by it and why leaders should monitor their soldiers to ensure they do get the help right away and refer them to help without the stigma so we can avoid (or at least reduce the chances) of a serious incident.
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SPC David S.
I certainly agree that one needs to be held accountable for their actions regardless. It seems with most mental health issues there is a tipping point in the management of care. Very curious about your training sir. Can you elaborate as I'm working with a non profit that is focused on soldier suicide
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LTC (Join to see)
I was a social worker in the California National Guard during the 90s. I attended several workshops on Combat Stress/PTSD. Present at a couple of them was COL James Stokes, an Army psychiatrist. He developed a lot of the Army doctrine on Combat Stress/PTSD including de-stigmatizing, treating as far forward as possible and post incident debriefing. What non-profit do you work for? Do they have offices all over or is it local? I'm retiring from my civilian job and may be interested in volunteering for or working part-time for it or similar organizations.
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Cpl Aaron Nelson
This is no war crime. If he has PTSD he needs some help. Jail will only make the demons worse. What were his intentions? Was he fully cognizant of his actions? For all we know he could have been seeing sand full of bad guys.Â
Should he be brought to justice, yes. You can't just charge the home of the President of the United States without repercussions, but for it to be elevated and deemed a war crime seems extreme. The man need help, not a life sentence.
Should he be brought to justice, yes. You can't just charge the home of the President of the United States without repercussions, but for it to be elevated and deemed a war crime seems extreme. The man need help, not a life sentence.
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PO2 Rocky Kleeger
First of all, who said anything about a lifetime sentence? Certainly not I.
I also never said anything about war crimes, I answered the question. Should he be punished? Yes. PTS or no PTS people generally know the difference between legal and illegal. Breaking and entering is a crime, did he do it? Allegedly If found guilty, should he be punished? Yes.
I also never said anything about war crimes, I answered the question. Should he be punished? Yes. PTS or no PTS people generally know the difference between legal and illegal. Breaking and entering is a crime, did he do it? Allegedly If found guilty, should he be punished? Yes.
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Cpl Aaron Nelson
Yea, I didn't mean to reply to you directly. I was making a general comment. I had read (or thought I did) something about should this be a war crime, which is ridiculous.
I agree there should be some penalty. But he really needs help if he's that bad off.
Sorry for the confusion
I agree there should be some penalty. But he really needs help if he's that bad off.
Sorry for the confusion
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I'm thinking yes he should be charged and held accountable but I really hope he gets the Help he needs. Like a lot of things this was his cry for Help.
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What if, just thinking outside of the box here, the veteran was having problems being seen through mental health at his local VAMC. His actions would win him free admission through a veterans court and easily obtain an appointment with mental health.
Other than that, yes, he should be charged like anyone else, just saying some things just never make the press.
Other than that, yes, he should be charged like anyone else, just saying some things just never make the press.
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