ptsd

Truthdigger of the Week: Gen. William Odom

Jul 8, 2007
Truthdig tips its hat this week to William Odom, a retired three-star general who has proved his patriotism and loyalty to U.S. troops serving in Iraq by truly keeping their best interests at heart and advocating for their mental and physical well-being -- as well as for their speedy and safe withdrawal from Iraq.

Army (Finally) Hires More Shrinks

Jun 15, 2007
The Army plans to hire roughly 200 additional mental health workers to help care for ailing soldiers. Thirty-five percent of troops seek mental health care a year after coming home and between 15 and 20 percent of soldiers in Iraq show signs of post-traumatic stress. The latest Pentagon study found military mental health care to be inadequate.
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The Overseer: Rep. Henry Waxman

May 31, 2007
Rep. Henry Waxman, who more than any other politician is fulfilling the Democrats' election promise to bring good governance and oversight back to Washington, tells Truthdig about Iraq corruption, the tragedy of post-traumatic stress disorder, and why it's only a matter of time before Congress -- Republicans included -- pulls the plug on the war.

Vet Blogs From Within Walter Reed

Mar 14, 2007
A wounded soldier is giving the world an insider's view of life at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center with his new blog, This Veteran's Life, and the view isn't pretty. Here's a little taste to set the tone: "Maybe this will give me a place to scream into the void when my screams fall on deaf ears."

Padilla Trial to Go Forward

Mar 1, 2007
Jose Padilla has been ruled competent to stand trial, a rebuke to his lawyers. The defense had sought to have him treated for PTSD before the trial began. Padilla has been held in isolation for three and a half years, during which time he was subjected to varying kinds of interrogation and, very likely, torture.

Casualties From the Battle Over PTSD

Feb 17, 2007
Pvt. Jacob Burgoyne was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and ordered to a psychiatric facility, but the Army sent him home instead. Shortly thereafter, Burgoyne stabbed a fellow soldier 32 times and set his body aflame because, he said, "that's how we disposed of bodies in Iraq."