[Allegra]

There certainly are adjustment problems for some arriving home, although I've personally never seen anything serious.

[Allegra]

Ping!

[gov_bean_ counter]

How would the State Department know since a great many civilians inprocess through Army Deployment Centers?

[Thrownatbirth]

symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder

I hate to see real PTSD and PTSD-sufferers marginalized by this constant, agenda-driven reference in the media. The PTSD I'm familiar with (through the VFW) doesn't occur so close to the actual event - it's usually around the ten-year mark, and boom!, immediate help is needed.

I hope the troops now will have the same support years down the road when some of them will really need it.

[Justa]

I think a lot has to do with the kind of work they did. I think people who worked long hours, did mission-dependant work, or frequently convoyed will have problems. I figure I’m gonna have issues after 3+ years of 100 hr. weeks maintaining computer networks. Luckily, I’m staying within the contract for my next position Stateside. They sent 2 of their senior people over here 6 months ago and they know about the hours and the stress. 40 hr. weeks should be therapy enough I hope. Then there’s the waverunner, pool, ocean, boat, 8-month beach weather etc. And I hear there’s no waiting or traffic where I’m going..... ; )

[LFOD]

Hi Allegra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a little trouble with lightning strikes when I first got back. People would grin & think this was funny, however they never had a mortar round or rocket hit the hooch you just walked out of.

Any day here at home is gravy compared to some of the days we put up with.

[CPT Clay]

that it appears most people — let’s say 70 or 80 percent of those who leave Iraq — have some sort of emotional problem at least temporarily when they return to the United States,” Dr. Lawrence G. Brown, the State Department’s medical director, told the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia of the U.S.

The emotional problem is whe they see how Iraq is portreyed in the press. Stress comes from wanting to chock the holy shite out of the press.