BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS

At the height of the Iraq war, the Army routinely fired hundreds of soldiers for having a personality disorder when they were more likely suffering from the traumatic stresses of war, discharge data suggest. Under pressure from Congress and the public, the Army later acknowledged the problem and drastically cut the number of soldiers given the designation. But advocates for veterans say an unknown number of troops still unfairly bear the stigma of a personality disorder, making them ineligible for military health care and other benefits. "We really have an obligation to go back and make sure troops weren't misdiagnosed," said Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, a clinical psychologist whose non-profit "Give an Hour" connects troops with volunteer mental health professionals. The Army denies that any soldier was misdiagnosed before 2008, when it drastically cut the number of discharges due to personality disorders and diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorders skyro...

Efforts to Fight Violence Against Women are Missing the Target by krerucha Domestic policies for prostitution perpetuate violence against women. Unless we are willing to address the root cause of society's acceptance of violence against women, efforts to decrease it will continue to be done in vain. According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), prostitution is an epidemic . Reports from the DOJ indicate that the average age of entry for prostitution is 12 years. Again, let me repeat that due to absolute absurdity, the average age of entry into prostitution in the United States is 12 years young. Young girls, much like the women who enter prostitution come from broken families, live in poverty and are vulnerable to exploitation for many of the same reasons. They tend to be runaways from both families and the juvenile justice system or are ‘throwaways’ where parents have kicked their children out of their homes and into the streets. More than 90% of prostitutes have been b...

by Barbara It’s not a lot of fun to be big or overweight and female in our society. Especially when it isn’t your fault. I suffer from an endocrine problem called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I have had this scourge since I was 9 years old but it’s only in the past 11 years I have developed a problem with my weight. And I hate it and it’s not fun. In fact, I can’t stand looking in the mirror – clothes on or off. Doctors need to coax the gown off to examine me. Nowhere but the shower does anyone see much more of me. My friends tell me I am too hard on myself. My friend John made a great observation to me the other day, and I had to admit he was right. We met online in a health related chat about 14 years ago and have since met in person and become good friends. He told me, “You are one of the most compassionate and deepest people I have ever met. But when it comes to your own appearance – you are so shallow!” He went on to tell me that weight or not, I am still very at...

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 ...

I posted quite a bit about the stigma of mental illness since the Virginia Tech tragedy and will do some more as the sentencing of the lunatic who brutally murdered my therapist comes. I will continue to the carry the banner of Paul Wellstone, of blessed memory, and those who seek to remove the shame of having a brain disease and to seek fair medical and social treatment for those who need it -- before we loose more valuable lives because we want to continue to stick our heads in the global sand. Here's Israel's take on the mental health crisis: By Amir Tal An amendment to the Planning and Construction Law that was submitted to the Knesset on December 18, 2006 proposes restricting "the establishment of hostels for protected persons, including people with mental disabilities and drug users, in any area zoned for residence." It would, among other measures, limit residences for protected persons to three per building, or restrict the "increase of protected persons...

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH MONTH SHARE YOUR STORY! Your story can change a life - or even save one. Let others know they are NOT ALONE! This one-of-a-kind project invites people who struggle with mental illnesses to break the silence and share their stories. We all know how empowering human connections are to those seeking wellness and recovery. By speaking out about your experiences, you help give a voice to the 57.7 million American adults—and as many as one in 10 children—who have a mental health disorder. Your story will help bust the stigma that keeps people from getting care and perpetuates misunderstanding about those affected by mental health disorders. We think there’s no better antidote to that misunderstanding than the real lives of real people. And there’s no better antidote to silence than speaking out. Together, we can help others and kick open the door to the truth about mental illness: that it ’s real, common and treatable. So tell your story and give a real voice to ...