Iraq and Mental Health
by TChris
Death and physical impairment are not the only consequences that befall our soldiers in Iraq. Many who return with no physical harm have nonetheless been damaged.
Thirty percent of U.S. troops surveyed have developed stress-related mental health problems three to four months after coming home from the Iraq war, the Army's surgeon general said Thursday. The survey of 1,000 troops found problems including anxiety, depression, nightmares, anger and an inability to concentrate, said Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley and other military medical officials. A smaller number of troops, often with more severe symptoms, were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, a serious mental illness.
...
The 30 percent figure is in contrast to the 3 percent to 5 percent diagnosed with a significant mental health issues immediately after they leave the war theater, according to Col. Elspeth Ritchie, a military psychiatrist on Kiley's staff.
Among the many costs of this unnecessary war:
[S]such reactions can lead to problems with spouses and children, substance abuse and just day-to-day life, [military medical officials] said.
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