Pentagon DIShonors Veterans with PTSD
While I am not a vet, I do have PTSD. In March of 2004 my PTSD from abuse went from "occasional" (once or twice a year problems) to PERMANENT (daily or weekly) and remains that way.
The Defense Dept. conveniently says PTSD is an anxiety disorder but PTSD's effects go to blood pressure, cardiac wellness and so on. Part of my PTSD involved 3 weeks of daily vomiting from trauma (starting in March, 2004) and then about 2 months of 1-2 a week vomiting. Just 2 weeks ago I had two back-to-back surgeries to try to repair some of the damage done in 2004... yes, four years later I am still dealing with it and probably will now for the rest of my life. A chronic reminder. And the surgeries have left me still feeling like a truck hit me - twice.
Additionally, the DoD's decision here? Is strangely missing from the DoD press & news releases site (CLICK HERE)
More deplorable treatment for our heroes. How is this decision "reducing the stigma?"
The Pentagon has decided it will not give the Purple Heart, the prestigious medal awarded to service members wounded or killed in action, to sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder.
"The Defense Department has determined that based on current Purple Heart criteria, PTSD is not a qualifying Purple Heart wound," department spokeswoman Eileen Lainez said.
"PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event," Lainez said. It is not "a wound intentionally caused by the enemy from an outside force or agent."
The Defense Department statement announcing the decision, released Tuesday, said the Purple Heart has never been awarded for mental disorders of psychological conditions.
Veterans diagnosed with PTSD "still warrant appropriate medical care and disability compensation," Lainez said, and the department "is working hard to encourage service members and their families to seek care for PTSD by reducing the stigma and urging them to seek professional care."
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The Defense Dept. conveniently says PTSD is an anxiety disorder but PTSD's effects go to blood pressure, cardiac wellness and so on. Part of my PTSD involved 3 weeks of daily vomiting from trauma (starting in March, 2004) and then about 2 months of 1-2 a week vomiting. Just 2 weeks ago I had two back-to-back surgeries to try to repair some of the damage done in 2004... yes, four years later I am still dealing with it and probably will now for the rest of my life. A chronic reminder. And the surgeries have left me still feeling like a truck hit me - twice.
Additionally, the DoD's decision here? Is strangely missing from the DoD press & news releases site (CLICK HERE)
More deplorable treatment for our heroes. How is this decision "reducing the stigma?"
The Pentagon has decided it will not give the Purple Heart, the prestigious medal awarded to service members wounded or killed in action, to sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder.
"The Defense Department has determined that based on current Purple Heart criteria, PTSD is not a qualifying Purple Heart wound," department spokeswoman Eileen Lainez said.
"PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event," Lainez said. It is not "a wound intentionally caused by the enemy from an outside force or agent."
The Defense Department statement announcing the decision, released Tuesday, said the Purple Heart has never been awarded for mental disorders of psychological conditions.
Veterans diagnosed with PTSD "still warrant appropriate medical care and disability compensation," Lainez said, and the department "is working hard to encourage service members and their families to seek care for PTSD by reducing the stigma and urging them to seek professional care."
SOURCE
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