ARMY PSYCHIATRIST SAYS PTSD CAN BE CURED -- COLONEL ELSPETH

[sasha031]

Army Colonel Elspeth Ritchie is a psychiatrist and consultant to the Army's Surgeon-General.

In an interview on the BBC/PRI radio program The World, Colonel Ritchie, when asked if a person could be cured of PTSD, said, "Yes. Absolutely. You can be cured of it."

Here is the link to the BBC/PRI audio... http://audio.theworld.org/wma.php?id=01246 Dr. Ritchie's statement is in the last minute of the interview.

This was the segment for which I was interviewed. And, I want to apologize for Katy Clark, the reporter...she identified me as a Vietnam veteran. I am not a Vietnam vet and did not tell her that. It must have been something she assumed. And, apologies to all my brother and sister vets who served in Vietnam.

Another problem with this segment is that they interviewed Dr. Sally Satel...a psychiatrist who has sold her "expertise" to anyone who will pay, including the tobacco industry. Dr. Satel has been thoroughly discredited as an expert on anything. More on Dr. Satel here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes/newsflash12-27-2005-2.htm

Of course the VA, represented by spokesman Scott Hogenson, said the VA was "100%" ready for all of the PTSD cases expected for the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

Then, Dr. Ritchie spoke up: "Yes. Absolutely. You can be cured of it."
http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20JAN%2006/newsflash01-25-2006-4.htm

[bryant69]

1. Interesting.

I woudln't have thought it would be that easy, but if it was on the radio it must be true.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Craig3410]

2. Of course it can be cured.

You build a time machine, go back in time, and tell them not to go to war because it will destroy their lives..

:sarcasm:

[Akoto]

3. In my personal experience, this is a lie.

I suffer from PTSD, as well as anxiety and agoraphobia issues. I've attended counseling numerous times. Am I cured? Nope.

Yes, it's possible to steel yourself against the effects of these disorders. It's even possible to subdue them through medication and therapy. I do not consider these methods to be cures, by any means. The issues are still present beneath it all, and there are times when they nearly overwhelm me.

I'm twenty years old, soon to be twenty-one. I'm the same age as many of the guys now serving. Believe me, these issues ruined my life for a long time, and I consider myself to be several years behind because of it. I really do feel for them.

[sasha031]

5. of course it's a lie

Larry Scott
http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20JAN%2006/newsflash01-25-2006-4.htm

Larry Scott was just on Thomas Hartman, the above is a VA watchdog group,the repukes are out to get rid of all those pesty soldiers complaining of flashbacks.This is bad, they are closing hospitals,privatizing,there is a means test to apply for benefits.With the DU we are going to have some very sick soldiers.
What will the repukes do, send the soldiers over to the Salvation Army.

[EFerrari]

7. Sasha -- did you send this whopper to media matters?

:hi:

[sasha031]

9. I didn't think of it sfexpat2000

thanks for mentioning it...
they are going to turn the VA into something unrecognizable:-(

[EFerrari]

10. On the backs of vulnerable people. Because they can try.

Let's fight the bastiches.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. By cutting funding, closing VAs and kicking gay MDs out of military

A great cure!

assholes.

[lindisfarne]

6. "Cured"? Even the VA says it can't be cured.

"While there is no cure for PTSD, experts believe early identification and treatment of PTSD symptoms may lessen their severity and improve the overall quality of life for individuals with this disorder. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a world leader in PTSD treatment and offers PTSD services to eligible veterans. "

http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/abstract.php?rptno=GAO-05-287

"cure" usually isn't a word applied to mental disorders; a competent psychiatrist would know this.

[Old Vet]

8. Utter Nonsense/ Is he combat vet? Bet NOT

Time to google this motherfuckers credentials, I will get back to you. Try to cure some poor ex-pow you asshole whos been tortured even a little. Man this kind of shit pisses me off.Sorry