by Michael Allen

Created on: September 24, 2008

The length of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan is creating soldiers that are experiencing stress at higher and higher levels and this is leading to an increase in post traumatic stress disorder. The enemy in these war zones can be anyone from a goat herder to a taxi driver and with American deployments over a year stress is heightened and prolonged for soldiers (WebMd). Attacks can come from any direction at anytime. The uncertainty of the conflicts in Iraq, and Afghanistan are the primary cause of post traumatic stress disorder in soldiers serving overseas.

Sergeant Christopher Lejeune, a scout in the Army, was the bait to draw insurgents out of hiding near Iraqi police stations. The stress of clearing up enemy dead, and clearing houses during nighttime raids was a cause of Lejeune's depression. According to Lejeune the reason that many soldiers remain quiet about their stress related symptoms is that, "If they do admit it, then the only solution given is pills (Time)."

The effects of post traumatic stress disorder range from hyper-vigilance, to confusion, and dissociation. Many sufferers experience difficulty sleeping, and loss of appetite but for those who choose help there are many experts in the field. For soldiers, some of the best treatment being offered is from other veterans who are aware of the many stresses of combat. For others close friends and family members can act as support.

Many troops are taking daily doses of antidepressants to ease the tension of combat duties. Iraq and Afghanistan are the first war zones where anti-depressants are being given to troops in large numbers. In Iraq 12% of combat troops are taking anti-depressants, or sleeping pills and in Afghanistan the number is 17% (Time). These figures could be higher as soldiers and medical personnel underreport such figures due to negative social stigma.

The tragedy for some soldiers is that they never seek treatment and the effects of post traumatic stress disorder can and do destroy relationships. Private Dwyer is one soldier who did not recover from the stress of combat in Iraq. His return to America left one woman without a husband and several children without a father. Dwyer, despite seeking medical attention, did not recover from the horrors of rocked-propelled grenade attacks and the violence of his tour (NYtimes). Part of Dwyer and many others are left forever fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sources:

Downes, Lawrence. Losing Private Dwyer. 15 July 2008. New York Times. 22 Sep. 2008 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/opinion/15tue4.htm l?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Thompson, Mark. America's Medicated Army. 5 June 2008. 22 Sep. 2008 http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1811858,00. html

War, Stress, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Overview. 12 Feb. 2007. 22 Sep. 2008 http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/tc/war-stress-and -ptsd-overview

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