QUESTION: I didn't go to Vietnam, but a group of my old buddies did.
Well, it's nearly 20 years since they got out, but they still seem to be messed up and stressed out because of it.
Several of them are still into drugs, while others are alcoholics.
Some of them seem to be in trouble with the law all the time, and can't hold jobs.
I've been told this is typical.
Is it, and what can be done to help?
ANSWER: It sounds to me like some of your friends are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The disorder is seen in some veterans of all wars, but seems to be most common in Vietnam Vets.
Those who suffer from this problem experienced an unusual, life-threatening experience that evoked extreme distress.
Since life-threatening experiences were a regular way of life for combat vets in Nam, this disorder is associated with abnormal autonomic nervous system conditioning, high unemployment, marital problems, alcoholism, drug abuse and the inability to adjust after war-induced trauma. Doctors who've studied vets with post-traumatic stress disorder say the victims report recurrent dreams of combat, sweaty palms, jumpiness, irritability with children, family problems, fatigue, palpitations, started responses and difficulty in holding jobs.
Studies in which combat vets and university students were subjected to combat sounds and light flashes, showed distinctly different responses in the nervous system.
The vets reacted to the combat sights and sounds with increased pulse and respiratory rates.
In another similar study, the combat vets reacted with intense feelings of fear, rage, sadness and guilt.
Noncombat veterans did not react with intense emotions. Some of the reasons Vietnam veterans suffer from this problem more often than other vets include the continuous stress of guerilla warfare, atrocities, terrorism, language barriers, the limited and vague military objectives of the war in Vietnam, and the failure to debrief troops returning to the U.S. A national survey of more than 1,300 Vietnam Vets showed combat experienced soldiers had a 23% post-combat arrest rate and 12% conviction rate much higher than for noncombat soldiers.
Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder involves a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy (drug therapy).
Readjustment depends on integrating the vets' pre-Vietnam and post-Vietnam experiences. Some veterans are getting disability benefits that would end if they recover.
Some drugs appear to be promising in treating this disorder, helping the patients to feel more relaxed, and less angry.
The psychotherapy must also take into account severe feelings of guilt that many combat vets suffer. Many are haunted with thoughts that they might have killed innocent people. There's also something called survivor guilt feeling guilty that they survived the war, while their friends in the battlefields were killed. We are learning now that all of the statistics of the costs of war are not easily added up into neat columns that provide mere dollar amounts and casualty numbers.
The pain and human suffering continues long after the battles have ceased and affect civilian and combatant alike.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
INTRODUCTION The traumatically brain injured constitute an ever growing segment of our population.
There is also evidence that light drinking may reduce risk of stroke in men. However, heavy drinking increases the risk of stroke fourfold.
