US soldiers in Iraq suffer horrific brain and mental injuries
By Rick Kelly 20 November 2004
According to official figures, the Iraq war has so far seen 9,000 US soldiers wounded in action, in addition to the more than 1,200 troops killed. These wounded, whose numbers may well be underestimated, include those with gunshot and shrapnel wounds, lost limbs and other injuries caused by landmines and bombs. Less well known, however, is the terrible toll enacted through brain and psychological injuries, which frequently have devastating and permanent effects.
The war has seen unusually high rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This head injury causes life-long damage in many cases. Symptoms include memory loss, difficulty with attention and reasoning, headaches, confusion, anxiety, irritability and depression.
TBI rates in previous wars have been estimated at about 20 percent. In July, a San Francisco Chronicle survey of troops being processed through Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital in Washington DC indicated that as many as two-thirds of all soldiers wounded in Iraq suffer from the condition.
The increase in brain injury cases is largely due to the advanced body armor and helmets now used by US forces. As the death rate of wounded troops has declined compared to previous conflicts, the rate of TBI has shot up. The nature of the Iraq war has also increased the number of brain injuries. Rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and other explosive devices cause concussive shock blasts damaging to the brain.
Traumatic brain injury often goes undetected until the affected soldier returns home and his or her family notices that something is wrong. The San Francisco Chronicle reported on the case of Sgt. 1st Class Alec Giess, of the Oregon National Guard, whose truck rolled over him as it crashed while avoiding a suspected land mine:
“Geiss’ wife, Shana, noticed after his return that the easygoing, relaxed dad who went to Iraq had become a quick-tempered man who couldn’t remember the family’s daily schedule, jumped up screaming when the family cat landed on his bed and couldn’t tolerate crowds. The world inside his head, Giess said, was even stranger: he felt bewildered, with no sense of time other than ‘daytime’ and ‘nighttime.’ He also felt cut off from his emotions. ‘When my kids come and hug me, I don’t feel a thing,’ he said.”
Many other incidents of TBI are even more severe. ABC News reported last month on the situation in one Veterans Affairs hospital in Palo Alto, California. “The majority of [TBI patients], they’re incontinent, both bowel and bladder, so we have to retrain them when to use the toilet, how to use the toilet,” nurse manager Stephanie Alvarez said.
Each patient at the facility is given a “memory book,” which describes that day’s schedule, and other important information. For many wounded soldiers this includes a reminder of why they are in hospital. “I had a head injury from an explosion in Iraq on June 14, 2004,” one soldier’s book read.
Emotional Effects of War on Soldiers
Many times it so happens that the soldiers have to physically hurt or kill their opponent soldiers. Circumstances force them to end someone's life. This act of theirs’ brings them deep sorrow. True, the soldiers face their enemy nation, that they are supposed to destroy the hostile forces, but after all, enemies are humans. Though an opposing nation, they are after all human beings from regions across the border. Witnessing deaths becomes an almost everyday incident for soldiers at war. They have to bear the grief of the suffering and deaths of their fellow mates as well. Such situations definitely have a depressing effect on soldiers. Death is bound to disturb the soldiers and deprive them of peace of mind.
While being surrounded by sorrow, soldiers often remember their happy days, their yester years at school and college. The memories of happier days become painful. Moreover they are away from their home and families. The memories of their loved ones grieve their hearts. The soldiers often feel like reaching out to their near ones and sharing their grief with them but their duty towards their nation deprives them of these opportunities. While guarding the borders of the country day and night, while being away from their near ones, they are deprived of the all the little joys in their family. There is no certainty that they will return home when they want; they are unsure about whether they will be able to be with their families when their families need them. The deaths the soldiers face, the sufferings they closely witness add to their emotional crisis.
This constant emotional struggle results in severe mental stress. The undulating emotions that the soldiers have to go through, result in great mental strain. Reportedly, many soldiers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The post-traumatic disorder is characterized by symptoms like nightmares; feelings of detachment, irritability, sleeplessness and difficulties in concentrating. Their homesickness can lead to intense feelings of solitude. Their trauma brings them mental insecurity. The violence, the injuries and the heavy destructions result in distress.
Insufficient care or concern and the lack of heed towards the soldiers, worsens their mental health. The emotional effects aggravate due to lack of proper medical care and support. It is the nation's responsibility to take care of its soldiers and the moral responsibility of the inhabitants of the county to realize the value of their service to the nation. Suitable medical support should be extended to the soldiers to help alleviate their pain.
Our soldiers have marched to the boundaries of our nation to serve our motherland. We can at least take a small step forward to help them cope with their afflictions.
US soldiers in Iraq suffer horrific brain and mental injuries
By Rick Kelly 20 November 2004
According to official figures, the Iraq war has so far seen 9,000 US soldiers wounded in action, in addition to the more than 1,200 troops killed. These wounded, whose numbers may well be underestimated, include those with gunshot and shrapnel wounds, lost limbs and other injuries caused by landmines and bombs. Less well known, however, is the terrible toll enacted through brain and psychological injuries, which frequently have devastating and permanent effects.The war has seen unusually high rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This head injury causes life-long damage in many cases. Symptoms include memory loss, difficulty with attention and reasoning, headaches, confusion, anxiety, irritability and depression.
TBI rates in previous wars have been estimated at about 20 percent. In July, a San Francisco Chronicle survey of troops being processed through Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital in Washington DC indicated that as many as two-thirds of all soldiers wounded in Iraq suffer from the condition.
The increase in brain injury cases is largely due to the advanced body armor and helmets now used by US forces. As the death rate of wounded troops has declined compared to previous conflicts, the rate of TBI has shot up. The nature of the Iraq war has also increased the number of brain injuries. Rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and other explosive devices cause concussive shock blasts damaging to the brain.
Traumatic brain injury often goes undetected until the affected soldier returns home and his or her family notices that something is wrong. The San Francisco Chronicle reported on the case of Sgt. 1st Class Alec Giess, of the Oregon National Guard, whose truck rolled over him as it crashed while avoiding a suspected land mine:
“Geiss’ wife, Shana, noticed after his return that the easygoing, relaxed dad who went to Iraq had become a quick-tempered man who couldn’t remember the family’s daily schedule, jumped up screaming when the family cat landed on his bed and couldn’t tolerate crowds. The world inside his head, Giess said, was even stranger: he felt bewildered, with no sense of time other than ‘daytime’ and ‘nighttime.’ He also felt cut off from his emotions. ‘When my kids come and hug me, I don’t feel a thing,’ he said.”
Many other incidents of TBI are even more severe. ABC News reported last month on the situation in one Veterans Affairs hospital in Palo Alto, California. “The majority of [TBI patients], they’re incontinent, both bowel and bladder, so we have to retrain them when to use the toilet, how to use the toilet,” nurse manager Stephanie Alvarez said.
Each patient at the facility is given a “memory book,” which describes that day’s schedule, and other important information. For many wounded soldiers this includes a reminder of why they are in hospital. “I had a head injury from an explosion in Iraq on June 14, 2004,” one soldier’s book read.
Emotional Effects of War on Soldiers
Many times it so happens that the soldiers have to physically hurt or kill their opponent soldiers. Circumstances force them to end someone's life. This act of theirs’ brings them deep sorrow. True, the soldiers face their enemy nation, that they are supposed to destroy the hostile forces, but after all, enemies are humans. Though an opposing nation, they are after all human beings from regions across the border. Witnessing deaths becomes an almost everyday incident for soldiers at war. They have to bear the grief of the suffering and deaths of their fellow mates as well. Such situations definitely have a depressing effect on soldiers. Death is bound to disturb the soldiers and deprive them of peace of mind.
While being surrounded by sorrow, soldiers often remember their happy days, their yester years at school and college. The memories of happier days become painful. Moreover they are away from their home and families. The memories of their loved ones grieve their hearts. The soldiers often feel like reaching out to their near ones and sharing their grief with them but their duty towards their nation deprives them of these opportunities. While guarding the borders of the country day and night, while being away from their near ones, they are deprived of the all the little joys in their family. There is no certainty that they will return home when they want; they are unsure about whether they will be able to be with their families when their families need them. The deaths the soldiers face, the sufferings they closely witness add to their emotional crisis.
This constant emotional struggle results in severe mental stress. The undulating emotions that the soldiers have to go through, result in great mental strain. Reportedly, many soldiers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The post-traumatic disorder is characterized by symptoms like nightmares; feelings of detachment, irritability, sleeplessness and difficulties in concentrating. Their homesickness can lead to intense feelings of solitude. Their trauma brings them mental insecurity. The violence, the injuries and the heavy destructions result in distress.
Insufficient care or concern and the lack of heed towards the soldiers, worsens their mental health. The emotional effects aggravate due to lack of proper medical care and support. It is the nation's responsibility to take care of its soldiers and the moral responsibility of the inhabitants of the county to realize the value of their service to the nation. Suitable medical support should be extended to the soldiers to help alleviate their pain.
Our soldiers have marched to the boundaries of our nation to serve our motherland. We can at least take a small step forward to help them cope with their afflictions.