ive-treated-veterans-with-ptsd-its-time-to-make-them-eligible-for-the-purple-heart

Thanks for sharing the article, my friend SFC William Farrell
"Over the last decade, a controversial question has surrounded the Purple Heart: do veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder deserve it?
The Pentagon currently does not award Purple Hearts to veterans suffering from PTSD. Supporters of this policy argue physical wounds have always determined eligibility for the Purple Heart. Some believe the science regarding PTSD is too primitive; indeed symptoms can be difficult to diagnose, and objective tests remain elusive. There are concerns that some veterans might attempt to fake the diagnosis.
But critics say that denying Purple Hearts to these veterans reinforces the stigmatization of mental illness—in other words, that conditions of the mind are less real than conditions of the body. As a physician who has worked with veterans suffering from PTSD, I can tell you the manifestations of this condition are very real. Symptoms can include flashbacks, paralyzing anxiety, hypervigilance, and self-harm.
Whether veterans with PTSD receive the Purple Heart has the potential to shape both the policies and the perceptions surrounding mental health in this country."
interesting transition fro WWII when battle fatigue was a dishonor to many.
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It does make one think. I have never considered PTSD as a injury deserving the Purple Heart, but then again I did not know I had PTSD for over 30 years after the end of the Great South East Asian Vacation. I knew something was wrong but no one ever put a nae to it. I was never violent with everyone, I did not close anyone out or ever contemplate suicide or want to hurt myself in any way. I do have hyper sensitive emotions. and it was not until we had a "Welcome Home" sponsored by our Junior U.S. Senator did I come face to face with a land mine and the next thing I knew, I was against he wall in a corner curled up in a ball crying like a baby. My wife standing there not knowing what to do and two other Vets kneeling beside me trying to talk me down. I went to the VA and they asked me questions and they said I did not classify as having PTSD because I did not answer yes to enough of their questions. Apparently if you do not have 3 or 4 of the 5 symptoms of PTSD the VA does not classify you as having it. When I talked to the Shrinks at where I work, they laughed and said It's NOT a game show, you do not have to get a certain number to win. If you have ONE symptom you have PTSD, just not as severe a case. as someone who has all 5 symptoms. After 37 years as a Firefighter EMT, I have learned how to relieve stress, dark humor in the station helps, chopping on a downed tree on my property with a hatchet also was a good stress burner and the most important thing having a personal relationship with y LORD and Savior and being able to go to Him in prayer at any time was the greatest stress reliever I could have. BUT I see the DOD doing the same thing as the VA has done for so long. tell us its all in our minds and if it is not a Physical injury that was sustained while in armed conflict against an enemy of the United States. If you read the criteria it specifically states that PTSD does not qualify, and lists it with Frostbite and self inflicted wounds.. We are barking up a dead tree because this has already been decided by Gates back in 2009. Maybe they need to come up with a new medal for PTSD cases...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/us/08purple.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=purple%20heart%20post-traumatic%20stress&st=cse

I was never diagnosed with PTSD, but then again I entered the Service with alcohol and anger issues so maybe the VA was right not putting me in that category,let's not get into the Agent Orange thing which I think is being handled badly for those of us who were exposed,as far as the Purple Heart I'm old school on that ,what frosts me is people like John (Horseface Kerry) who as a Naval officer put himself In for the Medal which by all accounts was not deserved.