Mullen: PTSD screenings for all returnees

[unhappycamper]

Mullen: PTSD screenings for all returnees
By Tom Vanden Brook - USA Today
Posted : Monday Oct 13, 2008 12:24:14 EDT

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s top uniformed officer is calling for all returning combat troops, from privates to generals, to undergo screening for post-traumatic stress with a mental health professional, a move aimed at stemming an epidemic of psychological issues among veterans.

Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said there’s a reluctance to acknowledge psychological problems for fear of showing weakness. Troops now fill out questionnaires after combat tours that help determine whether they have suffered psychological damage. They’re examined by medical professionals for physical injuries, but not by mental health experts.

“I’m at a point where I believe we have to give a screening to everybody to help remove the stigma of raising your hand,” Mullen said. “Leaders must lead on this issue or it will affect us dramatically down the road.”

About one in five combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan suffers from post-traumatic stress or depression, according to a study by the Rand Corp. In all, Rand estimates that 300,000 veterans have been affected and it could cost more than $6.2 billion to treat them.

Half of the troops Rand surveyed reported that they had a friend who was seriously wounded or killed. Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression were highest among soldiers and Marines, the study said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/gns_ptsdscreening_101308/%2e



uhc comment: I'm glad Mullen is finally catching up with the curve. Better late than never, unless you happen to be one of the late.

[Divernan]

1. This could be a preemptive move to bar future claims by vets.

Explain to me what the hell "a move aimed at stemming an epidemic of psychological issues among veterans" means. Examinations COULD reveal the extent of the diagnosis. Examinations will in no way "stem", i.e, stop an "epidemic". However, how convenient for the VA, which is underfunded and understaffed to treat any vet illnesses, including counseling PTSD, if a vet comes in and requests psychological help, and the VA goes to his record and says, no can do. You had a discharge exam and were not diagnosed as having PTSD. Therefore any current psychological problems you are experiencind are deemed NOT service related.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this, but PTSD can evidence itself over time, i.e., the first time a vet has a nightmare and wakes up choking his wife. How many psychologists does the VA currently employ who are experienced in diagnosing PTSD? At present, vets can be told to wait for months when they first request psychological help. I personally have heard of several young vets who committed suicide while waiting for their VA appt. So if there is presently such an extreme shortage of psychologists/psychiatrists experienced in treating PTSD, where is the VA going to come up with the huge number of additional experts to examime every soldier and Marine? I think they'll continue to use some computerized "test" administered by some enlisted medical technician, and then have a 30 minute session with a "mental health" person who is being pressured to underdiagnose the problem.

I think that anyone having served in a warzone is likely to have some degree of PTSD and should receive a course of counseling upon discharge into civilian society.