Stigma Has Become A Nightmare

[Monkeyman]

Michael Lemke's voice betrays his anger. He returned from Iraq suffering post-traumatic stress symptoms, and he doesn't think the Army did enough to help him or those who came after him.

"Soldiers coming back with PTSD are facing a stigma. I don't care what the chain of Command has recently said" Lemke said," referring to the Army's recently retired general, who praised Fort Carson for its mental health programs during a January visit.

If you read between the lines here you can see this guy has it bad.

http://www.gazette.com/onset?id=20547&template=article.html

[Jackpine Radical]

1. BTW, let me take this opportunity to mention

that there are good, effective, non-drug treatments for PTSD. For the most part, it's best to stay away from psychiatrists. Find a good psychologist to do the diagnosis & then a psychologist or psychotherapist trained in EMDR for the actual treatment. There are some other methods besides EMDR, but that's the most widespread one.

[Monkeyman]

2. I heard of that treatment but VA won't pay for it plus you lose your benefits

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Lose your benefits because the disability gets fixed?

Sounds like a deal to me.

And Jesus, man. If your leg was broken and the VA wouldn't pay for it, I bet you'd find a way to get it fixed anyway. Why would you do less for your mind? And besides, a complete course of EMDR treatment costs a helluva lot less than getting that leg fixed at today's prices. I'm talking 5 or 10 outpatient sessions if you don't hit unexpected complications.