The Cost of Freedom Foundation

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a medical diagnosis for defining symptoms that last at least a month after experiencing a major trauma. These symptoms include remembering or involuntarily reliving the trauma; feeling numb and withdrawn; and, having forms of anxiety that interfere with daily life.

According to the National Center For PTSD, a department within the Dept of Veterans Affairs,  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. A traumatic event is something horrible and scary that you see or that happens to you. During this type of event, you think that your life or others' lives are in danger. You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening.

Although PTSD has most likely effected people throughout history, it was first called PTSD in 1980.  Many will recognize the term "battle fatigue" which was common to soldiers in WWI & WWII.  Had their been a clinical diagnosis at the time labeled PTSD, many soldiers would have been identified as suffering with PTSD.

Experts differ as to the number of soldiers suffering from this debilitating disorder.  Part of the difficulty in establishing an accurate count is the fact that PTSD carries with it a stigma that is negative, so much so that many cases go unreported for fear of the repercussions to them and to their career.  What we know is the numbers are significant, especially when you consider that many cases simply are never reported.

The National Center For PTSD suggests Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has been diagnosed among different groups of Veterans as follows:

• In about 30% of Vietnam veterans, or about 30 out of 100 Vietnam veterans.
• In as many as 10% of Gulf War (Desert Storm) veterans, or in 10 veterans out of 100.9
• In about 6% to 11% of veterans of the Afghanistan war (Enduring Freedom), or in 6 to 11 veterans out of 100.
• In about 12% to 20% of veterans of the Iraq war (Iraqi Freedom), or in 12 to 20 veterans out of 100.

Given the fact that many cases are unreported, often for fear of being discharged from the Military, it is reasonable to conclude that the actual incidence may be much higher.  A study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) discovered that only 20% of Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans who test positive for combat related stress disorders are actually referred by the Pentagon for mental health treatment.  This is an alarming fact given that those living with this disorder are oftentimes not able to function at a level that is considered acceptable to the military.  For those discharged from service, the results of the disorder leaves many unable to maintain employment. This leads to problems as they attempt to cope with what can be a devastating condition.

One study by RAND stated, "If PTSD and depression go untreated... there is a cascading set of consequences... drug abuse, suicide, marital problems and unemployment are some of the consequences..."

As evidence of the consequences, the DOD has identified an increased rate of suicide among soldiers who returned from the first Gulf war (Desert Storm) and from the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  According to the Department of Defense, in 2008, at least 128 soldiers committed suicide. The Marine Corps reports 41. 

In response to these disturbing trends, the Dept. of Defense and the Dept of Veterans Affairs have placed increasing emphasis on getting a proper diagnosis of those suffering with PTSD, and on getting treatment so they can return to a normal life. 

PTSD: Table of Contents (for this site)

•  Treatment options for PTSD: 
   

•  PTSD and the family: 
   

•  Online Links For PTSD Issues & Veterans:  Coming soon.

Return to our MAIN Table of Contents 

We must never forget that FREEDOM is not FREE!