A few important things and some not so important...

[lithera]

1 - I still love Keith Olbermann.
2 - "Multiple and extended tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan are resulting in rates of post-traumatic stress disorder among soldiers that will likely match or exceed the number of Vietnam veterans diagnosed with the chronic condition, government officials and veterans groups say." Things are bad.

And a few things from other places...

"About one in six of the 589,000 veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, a rate expected to climb higher since it can take months and sometimes years for the condition to manifest."

"But a study released in May by the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, found that nearly four in five service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who may have been at risk for PTSD were not referred for further mental health evaluation. The Pentagon was unable to explain to the GAO why some were not referred for care."

4 in 5? 80%?

*sighs*

On a much different and lighter note, the midnight movie at the Egyptian tonight is Raiders of the Lost Ark. Anyone want to come with me?

Comments

[pamc.livejournal.com]

Okay... I'm confused. Why is it bad that 4 in 5 who may have been at risk were not referred?

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Because the symtpoms of PTSD often don't show up intil you've been home for a month or more. You're supposed to go in for visits, like once a month for a few months, to see if this starts to show up at a later date. Just going in once when you come home isn't enough and is... well... grossly irresponsible.

[torquemada.livejournal.com]

the midnight movie at the Egyptian tonight is Raiders of the Lost Ark. Anyone want to come with me?

Let me see how the roads are and how awake I'm feeling tonight. I'm interested, just not also interested in being stuck because of stupid ice. Stupid ice.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Okay!

[pamc.livejournal.com]

So is PTSD so nasty and service people so irresponsible for their own health that you would give up your career, your retirement, your home, your health benefits, your chances at ever working in your field again to make sure that you don't have it after returning from duty?

Remember the military justice system is guilty until proven innocent.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

PTSD is nasty enough that you stand a decent chance of all of that anyway. Also, I believe they're talking about people who are out of the service already, not people who are still in. There is a serious failing happening to those who are coming back and getting out of the service.

[theonlymegumegu.livejournal.com]

That Olbermann post was great. Makes me think of Bush's presidency as "I'm going to do what I want, and if it doesn't work, I'll just go do it somewhere else until it does work or I'm out of office."

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Yep.

Or as they called it previously when we were in Vietnam, "The Cambodia Strategy".

[pamc.livejournal.com]

A lot of people rejoin after leaving, or go into the reserves. Requiring PTSD screening would be a crippling black mark on their record. Service people are given classes and training about PTSD... but therapy is only given if it is sought (SOP).

The problem isn't being ignored... but as you know, the military is A LOT different than the private sector.

And I don't think this article is being honest in its characterization of the issues. The story is a mix of active duty and veteran services. The two are apples and oranges. Also, too many times I wanted to ask the author, "according to whom?" (e.g., "were not referred..." by whom? active duty doctors or VA doctors?, "asking for help is still seen as a sign of weakness..." by whom?, etc.)

I'll discuss more later. Head splodie

[torquemada.livejournal.com]

The roads in Renton were scary enough at 6pm, they're gonna be WAY too scary at 3 in the morning. I'd love to see a midnight movie with you, but it ain't gonna be this midnight. =[

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Alas. *sad face*

[torquemada.livejournal.com]

I know! Stupid ice. =[

What's coming up on the schedule?

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Ummmmmm. I can't remember. Heh.

[torquemada.livejournal.com]

I dunno why I can't look. Hurr.

19th: Drugstore Cowboy
26th: The Lollipop Girls in Hard Candy in 3-D (18 and over only)

Hmf.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Curses!

It might have to be a bit.

[torquemada.livejournal.com]

Or we could, you know, even see a movie NOT at midnight. Like, I dunno, Pan's Labyrinth.

I don't wanna get crazy here. But, you know.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

I've seen it.

But I'll see it again. Any time.

SO GOOD.

[torquemada.livejournal.com]

Wah! Okay. =D Is it already at the Exit, or still yet to arrive?

[lithera.livejournal.com]

It is there NOW!

Pan's Labyrinth
(1:30 4:15) 7:00 9:45
Dolby Digital, No Passes

[torquemada.livejournal.com]

DUDE.

And there's no indication that it's there next weekend. Crap!

So, Kat, what are you up to this weekend? =]

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Ummmmm.

An early showing on Sunday should work....

[torquemada.livejournal.com]

Like the 1.30? Have time to grab a bite to eat before or after, or just the movie, quick like ninja?

Actually, let me back up a little: Kat, would you like to go see Pan's Labyrinth with me on Sunday, and maybe get lunch or dinner? =]

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Sure!

I have Wii boxing to meet Justin for at some point but that will be later in the day, I'm sure.

[torquemada.livejournal.com]

Yay! If you and Justin sort out when your deathmatch is, we can sort out if we have time for out-hanging and whatnot after the movie. I'd be delighted to get more of your time post-movie, if there's more to get.

[torquemada.livejournal.com]

Oh hey! And Monday seems to have been the day we settled on for lunch at Mccormick's, too. I'd like to still do that, too, if you can handle seeing me, like, two days in a row. Scandalous, I know.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

I will call him tomorrow and see when things are likely to be.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

I think I can handle it.

[torquemada.livejournal.com]

Woot! Superb.