When we think of war, we think of a lot of things. Movies. Death. Destruction of property. Ideals. Security. Safety. Risk. Rewards.
Yet it seems we know just a little of the sacrifice we accept from our warriors. Yes, we know that we’ve lost over 4,000 of America’s heroes in battle, not to mention the untold numbers of Iraqi soldiers and civilians. We know that far more American soldiers have come home injured and permanently disabled. But do we realize what we ask of our soldiers psychologically? Do we understand how their lives, hearts and minds are transformed by the horrors of what they witness?
Data now shows that 2007 was the bloodiest year of the Iraq war to date, and one has to consider the connection between the increased violence and another alarming trend – the increase of soldier suicides and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A new report due to be released this week shows that suicides of US soldiers in Iraq increased 13% in 2007 over the previous year. Another indicates that there was a 50% increase in PTSD among soldiers in 2007.
What’s causing this trend? Experts say there are a number of factors, including longer deployments and re-deployments of soldiers. Frequency and duration of exposure to traumatic events are among the most important risk factors in determining whether one develops PTSD, so it’s clear that the lengthening of tours and the number of deployments are having serious consequences for America’s heroes.
Some reports suggest that nearly 30% of Iraq war soldiers experience symptoms of PTSD. If you’ve never had these symptoms, it may be difficult to grasp how difficult they are to live with. Many people are familiar with the term “flash back” from movies, which refers to re-experiencing traumatic events in real time, as though they were happening all over again. But not as many are aware that PTSD symptoms also include recurring nightmares, intrusive, unwanted thoughts and memories about traumatic events, trouble sleeping, heightened sensitivity to sights and sounds, and feeling as though one is in danger all the time. Also, PTSD can bring symptoms of emotional numbing, which feel like – and can lead to – serious depression.
And it’s here where you can see the relationship with suicide. PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder that is extremely painful to live with. It can wear people out or shut them down emotionally so they feel like they are “living dead,” – alive, but unable to really experience much. When these feelings persist, people become increasingly vulnerable to suicide.
Suicide continues to be an enormous risk for veterans. According to Kerri J. Childress, a Veterans Affairs department spokeswoman, there are an average of 18 suicides a day among America’s 25 million veterans and that more than a fifth are committed by men and women being treated by Veterans Affairs. From the same article in the New York Times:
Experts agree that veterans are more likely, perhaps twice as much, to commit suicide as people who have never served in the military. Meanwhile, a study released last week by the RAND Corporation estimates that roughly one in five veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan has symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, which heightens the risk of suicide.
Other complications include any tendencies to use alcohol or substances to help relieve symptoms of PTSD, which is common among those in general who have PTSD. Because many of the symptoms are due to a hyper-aroused nervous system, alcohol or drugs can take the edge off of these effects. The seriously dangerous and unfortunate consequence is a lowering of inhibitions towards self-harming thoughts or behaviors, and the lapses in judgment that come from using substances.
From the US Army (via the AP article today)
“Since the beginning of the global war on terror, the Army has lost over 580 soldiers to suicide, an equivalent of an entire infantry battalion task force,” the Army said in a suicide prevention guide to installations and units that was posted in mid-March on the site.
“This ranks as the fourth leading manner of death for soldiers, exceeded only by hostile fire, accidents and illnesses,” it said. “Even more startling is that during this same period, 10 to 20 times as many soldiers have thought to harm themselves or attempted suicide.”
It’s clear our military needs more help. Yes, they need better armor and better benefits. They also need fewer and shorter deployments, first and foremost. Regardless of our varied political opinions about the war, the surge has taken a tremendous toll on our soldiers and has increased casualties in a wholly unanticipated way. Americans must stand up to support our troops, demanding their ability to access benefits and treatment in a timely way, and to support efforts to ensure they are given adequate respite and recovery between deployments.
If you are a soldier or know of a soldier who is struggling with trauma symptoms and/or depression, I highly recommend EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) treatment. It has shown great promise in effectively reducing the severity of trauma symptoms in a short period of time. The VA is strongly recommending this treatment as well. If you are a clinical practitioner interested in trauma treatment, following the link above will take you to information on how to become trained to provide EMDR.
Supporting our Troops must go beyond bumper stickers and car magnets. A real, human approach to understanding the total sacrifices of our bravest Americans and taking care of them body, mind and soul when they make it home is where the real support they need.
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