Army phasing in new program to screen for PTSD

Stars and Stripes ^ | 23 July 08 | Charlie Coon,

[PurpleMan]

Active-duty soldiers can expect to be asked how they’re doing, and not just physically, the next time they visit Army clinics in Vicenza, Italy, and Vilseck and Schweinfurt, Germany. The three clinics are phasing in a program called RESPECT-MIL in which primary-care doctors routinely screen patients for post-traumatic stress disorder

[PurpleMan]

Good on them. The only way to get past the stigma of seeking /receiving psychological help and, more importantly, to identify those who need help is to make it part of the regular pysical screening process.

[Volunteer]

PTSD is killing our soldiers after they get home. We have to find a way to help. I am thankful for any program that is going to work towards helping.

[PurpleMan]

DoD leadership has said that warrior care is our highest priority, second only to the global war on terror.

Hopefully, it will, in fact, be.

BTW: I see you’re a Ph.D. is Psych. I recently heard about “Give an Hour”? Are you familiar with it or have any insights? Thanks

http://www.giveanhour.org/skins/gah/home.aspx

[PurpleMan]

DoD leadership has said that warrior care is our highest priority, second only to the global war on terror.

Hopefully, it will, in fact, be.

BTW: I see you’re a Ph.D. is Psych. I recently heard about “Give an Hour”? Are you familiar with it or have any insights? Thanks

http://www.giveanhour.org/skins/gah/home.aspx

[Volunteer]

What is give an hour????? I'll check out the website. I am reminded of a history professor I had years ago. He talked about the Roman Legions when they returned from war. They were forced to camp outside the city walls, rather than mix with the citizens.

We can't do that to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. They are us, we are them. We have to care for them and to hear that DoD is making that a priority makes me happy.

[TonyM]

No doubt some vets have problems with PTSD, but not nearly as many as there are who are diagnosed with it. I am convinced that anyone can get a diagnosis of PTSD, it’s how psychiatrist, who are just a little above paranormal scientist in my book, build up their clientele and justify their job.

[PurpleMan]

“No doubt some vets have problems with PTSD, but not nearly as many as there are who are diagnosed with it.”

And you know this based on what? Do you know how many service members have been diagnosed w/ PTSD? What percentage of these diagnoses are do you think are bogus? Why?

“I am convinced that anyone can get a diagnosis of PTSD...”
What convinced you? Can you point to what specific criteria used to diagnose PTSD is erroneous? Please share it with us, seriously.

“psychiatrist...are just a little above paranormal scientist.” Maybe, just maybe you’re confusing psychiatrists (MD’s) and psychologists (non-MD’s