The War On Terror. Bringing Terror Home with PTSD.
“Veteran crisis hotline info” under public domain by The U.S. Marine Corps. Text addition from Meredith Shafer, 2015.
The War on Terror, which began in 2001, has left an indelible mark on many veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. PTSD is one of the significant, long-lasting effects of this war. PTSD can result from exposure to combat and is characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, hyperarousal, and avoidance. According to a 2004 PBS NewsHour report, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was becoming a prevalent problem among U.S. troops returning from Iraq, with symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hyper-vigilance. In 2005, the BBC reported on the “invisible wounds” of veterans from the War on Terror, noting that many soldiers were returning home with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The report also highlighted the challenges faced by military doctors in identifying and treating these conditions.
NPR’s 2007 report discussed how the Iraq War stirred up memories of Vietnam for some veterans, noting that PTSD has been a recurring problem for returning soldiers since the Vietnam War. A CBS News report from the same year found that depression and PTSD rates were significantly higher among Iraq War veterans than those who had served in other recent conflicts. Another report by the RAND Corporation found that one in five Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from PTSD or major depression, a significant increase from previous conflicts.
A Reuters report from April 2008 noted that 300,000 U.S. troops were suffering from mental problems related to the War on Terror, while a New Yorker article from the same year discussed the use of “Virtual Iraq,” a computer game designed to help veterans with PTSD overcome their symptoms. CNN’s 2008 report noted that there were no easy answers when it came to treating PTSD among Iraq veterans, with a variety of factors contributing to the problem.
A 2009 NIH PubMed article discussed the conflicting rates and claims of PTSD among soldiers deployed to Iraq, while another study found that PTSD significantly reduced the quality of life for veterans of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The New York Times reported in 2009 on the anguish experienced by soldiers who were forced to engage in combat, highlighting the long-term effects that exposure to war can have on a person’s mental health.
In 2010, NBC News reported on the revolving door of wars and how it was tied to severe PTSD among veterans. CNN’s report from the same year noted that depression and PTSD were plaguing many Iraq veterans, while The Guardian told the story of an Iraq War veteran who was haunted, in prison, and now homeless. A BBC News report from August 2010 highlighted the use of therapy dogs to help veterans with PTSD, while a Reuters report from November of the same year discussed the war after the wars, highlighting the struggles that veterans face once they return home.
“The founders of VETS, MAPS, and VA Director Stephanie Taylor, who is about to commence MDMA clinical trials at the Los Angeles VA” by Steve Jurvetson from A Veteran Support Network under CC BY 2.0
NPR’s 2011 report focused on the daily struggles faced by soldiers with PTSD, while Scientific American’s report from the same year noted that the legacy of mental health problems from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars would be long-lived. PBS Frontline’s 2011 report discussed the use of “web therapy” to treat PTSD, while a U.S. Army report from 2012 shared the story of a soldier who struggled with PTSD after returning home from Iraq.
The Conversation’s 2012 report highlighted the lessons that could be learned about mental health and war from Vietnam and Iraq, while a Daily Beast report from 2012 found that nearly 30% of veterans treated by the V.A. have PTSD. ProPublica’s report from the same year discussed the challenges that veterans face in getting benefits due to missing war records, while The Atlantic’s report focused on the struggles of a photographer who developed PTSD while covering the Iraq War.
One 2013 study by the American Psychological Association revealed a higher incidence of PTSD among homeless veterans than the general veteran population. The same year, a study by Foreign Policy showed that soldiers who served in Iraq experienced significantly more mental health issues than those who served in Afghanistan. A study by the NIH published in May 2014 found a link between PTSD and violent behavior among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
PTSD can have devastating effects on veterans' lives, with many struggling to adjust to civilian life after serving in a combat zone. A 2013 article by The New Yorker examined the experiences of veterans as they tried to reintegrate into society, with many reporting difficulties in finding meaningful employment and relationships. The article highlighted the challenges faced by veterans who received inadequate support from the government and military in accessing mental health care and services.
One of the challenges of treating PTSD is that different treatments work for different people. A 2015 article by The Verge reported that scientists were testing MDMA as a possible treatment for PTSD. The study found that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy helped patients with PTSD to overcome their trauma more effectively than traditional therapies. In 2018, a phase three clinical trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy found that the treatment led to significant improvements in PTSD symptoms among patients who received it.
Despite advances in treatment options, PTSD remains a significant challenge for veterans returning from the War on Terror. Many veterans struggle with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other mental health issues. A 2019 article by The New York Times highlighted the experiences of veterans who didn't have PTSD but still struggled with issues related to their military service. The article showed that many veterans felt like they didn't fit in after leaving the military and that they had lost a sense of purpose.
Overall, the War on Terror has had a significant and lasting impact on veterans, particularly in terms of PTSD. The government and military have struggled to provide adequate support for veterans returning from combat zones. While there have been significant advances in treatment options for PTSD, many veterans still struggle with the condition, and it is essential to continue to develop new and innovative treatments to help them recover from their trauma.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on March 29, 2023
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Sources for The War On Terror. Bringing Terror Home with PTSD:
Stress Disorders Plague U.S. Troops Returning From Iraq - PBS NewsHour July 1, 2004
US veterans' invisible wounds - BBC News August 16, 2005
Iraq War Stirs Memories for Vietnam Vets - NPR September 22, 2007
Study: Depression, PTSD Up For Iraq Vets - CBS News November 13, 2007
Study says 300,000 U.S. troops suffer mental problems - Reuters April 17, 2008
Virtual Iraq - The New Yorker May 19, 2008
'Virtual Iraq' Game Aims to Help Vets with PTSD - NPR May 27, 2008
Iraq vets and post-traumatic stress: No easy answers - CNN October 26, 2008
PTSD after deployment to Iraq: conflicting rates, conflicting claims - NIH PubMed August 12, 2009
A Combat Role, and Anguish, Too - The New York Times October 31, 2009
Revolving door of wars tied to severe PTSD - NBC News April 12, 2010
Depression, PTSD plague many Iraq vets - CNN June 7, 2010
Iraq war veteran: Haunted, in prison, now homeless - The Guardian July 5, 2010
Military dog recovers from PTSD after Iraq war - BBC News August 5, 2010
Special report: For U.S. veterans, the war after the wars - Reuters November 9, 2010
For Soldiers With PTSD, A Profound Daily Struggle - NPR June 2, 2011
“Web Therapy” for PTSD? - PBS Frontline September 9, 2011
Leaving the battlefield: Soldier shares story of PTSD - U.S. Army April 25, 2012
Nearly 30% of Vets Treated by V.A. Have PTSD - Daily Beast October 21, 2012
Overexposed: A Photographer's War With PTSD - The Atlantic December 20, 2012
“So Many People Died”: How Afghanistan and Iraq Echo Vietnam - Mother Jones January 9, 2013
More PTSD among homeless vets - American Psychological Association March 2013
It Doesn’t Take Much to Get PTSD - Mother Jones April 6, 2013
The Psychological Impact of the Iraq War - Foreign Policy April 23, 2013
The Return | The traumatized veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. - The New Yorker September 9, 2013
Iraq veterans find the war at home is with red tape - Los Angeles Times December 20, 2013
The PTSD Epidemic: Many Suffering, Few Solutions - TIME June 20, 2014
PTSD Treatment Options - Military.com July 30, 2014
Scientists are testing MDMA as a PTSD treatment for veterans - The Verge April 24, 2015
Veterans Battle Mental Health Issues After Iraq and Afghanistan - RAND Corporation June 4, 2015
My Life Driving Uber as an Iraq War Veteran with PTSD - VICE June 7, 2015
Veterans' PTSD may recur down the line - Reuters December 18, 2015
Veterans share their stories to help others fight PTSD - CBS News September 7, 2016
PTSD: A Lasting Impact of War - Library of Congress March 6, 2017
Ecstasy as a Remedy for PTSD? You Probably Have Some Questions. - The New York Times May 1, 2018
Active ingredient in ecstasy may help veterans with PTSD, study finds - CNN May 3, 2018
Psychedelic drug provides relief for veterans with PTSD - Military Times May 9, 2018
Suicidal Vet Calls MDMA Treatment ‘a Miracle’ - Daily Beast August 16, 2018
From shell-shock to PTSD, a century of invisible war trauma - PBS NewsHour November 11, 2018
'I partied all night to hide from my PTSD' - BBC News November 22, 2018
MDMA Therapy Gaining Popularity as PTSD Treatment - Military.com December 5, 2018
Seth Moulton discloses PTSD, unveils military mental health proposal - POLITICO May 28, 2019
'I'm Still Dealing With It': How 2 Veterans Are Learning To Cope With PTSD - wbur August 7, 2019
MDMA, Or Ecstasy, Shows Promise As A PTSD Treatment - NPR August 14, 2019
PTSD in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans - verywell mind May 10, 2020
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD - NIH PubMed October 9, 2020
A New Study Points to MDMA as a Powerful Treatment for PTSD - TIME May 11, 2021
'You Can Forgive Yourself:' Molly Helps Vets with PTSD, New Study Says - Military.com July 29, 2021
Using psychedelics to treat veterans' PTSD - CBS Sunday Morning November 14, 2021
PTSD in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs May 23, 2022
Many U.S. veterans land behind bars. A unique new law may change that. - NBC News September 24, 2022
Iraq War veteran writes children’s books to cope with PTSD - Stars and Stripes December 27, 2022
MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD shows promising results - CBS News January 13, 2023
Iraq War veterans reflect on struggles, pain - ABC News March 22, 2023