Post by Frenchie on Jul 16, 2009 13:50:58 GMT 1
Clinics across the UK offer specialist help to veterans suffering from mental health problems. The challenge is reaching those who need it. Report by Sharon Kean.
During his 23-year Army career, Robert, a former infantryman, served in Northern Ireland and the first Gulf War. Five years after leaving, he sought help for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD:
"When your world is collapsing around your ears, you don't see it; other people see it for you," said Robert.
"It's easier to hide trauma when you're in the Forces. You don't talk about things but you have support because you're in a group of fellow soldiers."
People can develop PTSD after exposure to deeply shocking or life-threatening situations. With its characteristic flashbacks and feelings of isolation, the condition can lead to depression, alcoholism, drug misuse, and even suicide.
Nobody can be sure how many former servicemen and women are affected, but there is plenty of speculation that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans may experience problems later in life. The media often describes the problem as a 'timebomb', and that is not an unreasonable metaphor.
Often ten years or more passes before people seek help, and after so much quiet suffering their conditions may be extreme. The challenge for MOD and psychologists working with the Department is to make sure those affected come forward, defusing, as it were, the timebomb.
But why do conditions such as PTSD occur? Psychologists believe that some deeply shocking or life-threatening incidents may be more than the brain can cope with. Mentally unprocessed, vivid images and emotions become lodged in the victim's memory and, because they are so unpleasant, the person avoids dealing with them.
MoD Article >>
During his 23-year Army career, Robert, a former infantryman, served in Northern Ireland and the first Gulf War. Five years after leaving, he sought help for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD:
"When your world is collapsing around your ears, you don't see it; other people see it for you," said Robert.
"It's easier to hide trauma when you're in the Forces. You don't talk about things but you have support because you're in a group of fellow soldiers."
People can develop PTSD after exposure to deeply shocking or life-threatening situations. With its characteristic flashbacks and feelings of isolation, the condition can lead to depression, alcoholism, drug misuse, and even suicide.
Nobody can be sure how many former servicemen and women are affected, but there is plenty of speculation that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans may experience problems later in life. The media often describes the problem as a 'timebomb', and that is not an unreasonable metaphor.
Often ten years or more passes before people seek help, and after so much quiet suffering their conditions may be extreme. The challenge for MOD and psychologists working with the Department is to make sure those affected come forward, defusing, as it were, the timebomb.
But why do conditions such as PTSD occur? Psychologists believe that some deeply shocking or life-threatening incidents may be more than the brain can cope with. Mentally unprocessed, vivid images and emotions become lodged in the victim's memory and, because they are so unpleasant, the person avoids dealing with them.
MoD Article >>