THE INVISIBLE SHRAPNEL OF WAR

The Silent Suffering: The Unseen Wounds of War

• The New York Times reports that over 100,000 Veterans have applied for mental assistance, primarily for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  It is the highest per capita rate ever seen in a war.
  
  
• 2 out of 3 of these veterans are not receiving treatment.
• An estimated 1 in 5 veterans from Iraq have sustained Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), generated by the shock from the scope of the battle blasts.
  
  
• In an attempt to escape social stigmas and due to fears of how their careers may be impacted, most veterans don't apply for mental assistance or seek psychological treatment.
  

PTSD FACTS:

The single best predictor of PTSD and depression was exposure to combat trauma while deployed. Service members reported exposure to a wide range of traumatic events while deployed:

• Over 50% witnessed friends being seriously wounded or killed 
• 45% repeatedly observed dead or seriously injured non-combatants
  
  
• Over 10% were wounded in combat 

SIGNS OF PTSD:

• People who suffer from PTSD often suffer from nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, and feeling emotionally numb. These symptoms can significantly impair a person's daily life.
  
  
• PTSD is marked by clear physical and psychological symptoms. It often has symptoms like depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, and other physical and mental health problems.
  
  
• The disorder is also associated with difficulties in social or family life, including occupational instability, marital problems, family discord, and difficulties in parenting.