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G4EBT > HEALTH 10.11.05 20:32l 127 Lines 5795 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 6F1167G4EBT
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: PTSD and Soldiers
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0SIF<DB0EA<DB0ACC<DB0GOS<ON0AR<ON0AR<IK1ZNW<7M3TJZ<
DK0WUE<GB7FCR
Sent: 051110/1701Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:11435 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:6F1167G4
From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : HEALTH@WW
Jose, CX2SA wrote:-
> Smoking doubles risk of post-traumatic stress
> =============================================
> Smokers are twice as likely to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder
> than non -smokers, according to a study of twin soldiers.
> It is estimated that after experiencing severe trauma, about one-third
> of people go on to suffer PTSD, a mental illness characterised by
> anxiety, flashbacks and panic attacks.
> Nicotine dependence has been associated with PTSD before, but the exact
> nature of the link has never been clear. The new study establishes
> smoking as a key risk factor in pre-disposing people to PTSD.
PTSD is a much under-estimated problem, from which many Vietnam vets still
bear the mental scars. The Times recently reported that Iraq battle stress
is actually worse than that in WWII, but I'm not sure to what extent the
odd ciggie will greatly add to their problems.
SENIOR army doctors have warned that troops in Iraq are suffering levels
of battle stress not experienced since WWII because of fears that if they
shoot an insurgent, they'll end up in court. Those fears are real - not
imagined.
The two senior Royal Army Medical Corps officers, one of whom is a
psychologist, have recently returned from Basra, where they'd counselled
young soldiers who feared a military police investigation as much as they
did the insurgents.
The revelations follow the collapse last week of the court martial of
seven paratroopers accused of murdering an Iraqi who died near al-Amarah
just after the war and amid signs of a dramatic drop in morale among
frontline infantry soldiers.
The doctors' warnings came in post-operational reports submitted by senior
officers to their formation commanders after serving in a battle zone.
They are exceptional because of their content.
One source said: "There doesn't appear to be any overt consideration
or understanding of the pressures our soldiers are under.
"The unpopularity of the war at home and a belief that firing their rifles
in virtually any circumstances is likely to see them end up in court are
sapping morale".
One corporal said that troops arriving in Basra were confronted by
warnings from the Royal Military Police. "They make it clear that any and
every incident will be investigated. It's also made clear that if you
shoot someone, you'll face an inquiry that could take up to a year".
"The faces of the young lads straight out of training drop as the fear of
being investigated strikes home, and many ask whose side the RMP are on".
Although levels of fighting in Iraq are nowhere near those of some of the
bloodiest battles of the second world war, such as the battle of the bulge
or Kohima, the much more complex situation that the British troops now
face is pushing up stress levels just as far.
The combination of knowing that death might come at any time from a
roadside bomb and that shooting back at Iraqis who attack them might
result in their being court-martialled, is putting immense pressure on
young soldiers.
The doctors described morale in some units as very low, with soldiers
suggesting they needed a solicitor with them before they shot back at
any Iraqi who attacked them.
Many frontline infantry soldiers are in "survival mode" and have the
impression that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) isn't supporting them, and
nobody in the UK cares about what's happening in Iraq, the officers said.
Senior MoD officials hope to counter the damage done to morale after the
collapse of the court martial by revealing that John Reid, the Defence
Secretary, has ordered an urgent review of whether the MoD is fulfilling
its duty of care to soldiers facing legal action.
There are signs that it's already too late, with more than 5,370 infantry
soldiers buying themselves out of the army in the past three years rather
than be posted back to Iraq or Afghanistan.
Divorce rates have soared - wives of soldiers who return from Iraq
complain that their husbands are suffering from exhaustion and stress but
refuse to seek medical help for fear that it will blight their promotion
prospects.
The wife of one officer based in Germany told friends he was "an
aggressive wreck" after returning from Iraq, shouting at the children and
suffering from what she thought was a nervous disorder. He declined
medical help and a month after returning from Basra was sent to Kabul.
Not least among the concerns within the army is the fact that cases are
taking so long to come to court martial. Three members of the Irish Guards
and a Coldstream Guard who stand accused of the manslaughter of an Iraqi
who allegedly drowned in a canal in May 2003 at the end of the Iraq war
won't stand trial until May next year.
Corporal Scott Evans, 32 - the most senior of the paratroopers acquitted
last week, said they felt betrayed by the army: "We've been badly hung out
to dry. The army is your family, isn't it? You expect your family to look
after you through thick and thin, but they betrayed us. It seems that in
the army's eyes you're guilty until proven innocent".
One army officer said Evans was just summing up what everybody feels. "No
one seems to care. We feel like we've lost public sympathy because of all
these allegations".
A dreadful situation for young soldiers to be in. In a war, you know
who the enemy are, in so called "peace-keeping" missions, you don't
know friend from foe. You're just human sand-bags put in harm's way
for a failed foreign policy.
"Forward"! they cried from the rear, as the front men fell in battle.
73 - David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
QTH: Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
Message timed: 16:59 on 2005-Nov-10
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