PTSD is not only a condition of today’s troops, veterans, and first
responders, unfortunately, it is a condition that affects our vets of much
earlier conflicts. When you
consider the state of the country at the time of Vietnam, our troops came home
to protests, rioting, and a very difficult adjustment for those serving.
The stories were dreadful. Like now, families felt somewhat
isolated, but the country was far less respectful of those serving.
Today, even without full understanding of how to act or what to say, our troops
are mostly warmly accepted and supported. By contrast, my uncle was
briefed to change out of his uniform immediately upon arrival in the States to avoid
the chaos of the anti-war protests. Others were verbally and physically
assaulted.
The effects of coming home and working diligently to be invisible
in the communities has also produced a long-term result – many of those from
Vietnam did not receive treatment for their PTSD, nor did it have that name in
the 1960’s, though the condition has been around as long as there has been
trauma and conflicts.
Another result is this aging population may come to seek VA care
only in their later years, and they and their families have lived for decades
with what is today openly discussed. PTSD then and now will have many of
the same symptoms of scent and sound triggers, sleep disorders, difficulty
communicating and relationship challenges. Add to this the possible loss
of prime mobility, hearing loss, and aging issues, including presumptive
conditions like Agent Orange, and we know we must actively communicate with the
caregivers of each era.
It is less known, but very sobering that 80% of Vietnam veterans reported
active PTSD symptoms 25 years after their service in a RAND study, with very high rates
of depression and suicide. These caregivers are hidden among you and
please lend your support to them, include them in your peer groups, and learn
from their experiences.
PTSD may be a more familiar term these days, but our Vietnam era
caregivers are only now coming out of the shadows. To our Vietnam and earlier era
caregivers, thank you for your quiet strength and service.
Linda Kreter & the
VeteranCaregiver Team
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