Lower Rates of Post War Stress Disorders Found in Vietnam Veterans

A new research found that far fewer Vietnam veterans were affected by post war stress disorders than thought and expected. The exhaustive research developed by Bruce Dohrenwend, psychiatric researcher at the Columbia University and Chief of Research at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and colleagues found that fewer than one in five Vietnam warriors suffered subsequent diagnosable stress disorders. This means that less than 20% of the men who fought in the Vietnam war developed post-war emotional disorders.

The findings of the recent research conducted on the psychological disorders caused by the Vietnam war to its US veterans is the most ample and rigorous study carried out on the subject until now. It found far less victims of the war (18.7% of the veterans) as compared to the findings of the previous investigation on the same subject, conducted in 1988 (30.9% of the fighters in the war were found to be suffering from post traumatic disorders).

The study also found that the emotional disorders in Vietnam veterans are extremely similar to those experienced by Iraq soldiers. "Both wars have been described as 'wars without fronts,' where there's great difficulty telling peaceful civilians from enemy combatants. Whether rates of PTSD will be the same, higher or lower in U.S. veterans of the Iraq war will depend on differences, as well as similarities, between the two wars," Professor Bruce Dohrenwend pointed out.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) relates to an emotional disorder which usually affects war veterans. The disorder is triggered by traumatic events, violent deeds, shocking happenings etc. which took place during the war. They all come to haunt the mind and a memory of veterans within years after the war is over. The dramatic events cause nightmares, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, flashbacks etc. in the veteran.

However, the rate of veterans who have actually been diagnosed with post-war disorders is rather low as compared to that expected. But this does not mean that only these people developed emotional disorders. The war has affected everyone, especially those involved in it, notes Richard McNally who wrote the editorial accompanying the study published in the Science Journal.

"The symptoms had to produce at least a moderate impairment for a diagnosis of PTSD. And that makes sense, because warfare will change a person - how could it not? But not all change constitutes a disease or disorder - there are normal emotional reactions that occur," Harvard Professor Richard McNally stated.

The results of the study also showed that psychological impairments manifested in Vietnam veterans could be very easily treated and the men who were brave enough to fight for their country in the devastating war can be whole, healthy men again. "About half the cases had remitted, and even those that were present at follow-up and were highly chronic showed only minor impairment," Professor McNally specified.

The promising findings should not influence, however, the government to treat the war veterans subject with indifference. They all need support and therapy, but the good news is that they can get over the violent events and deeds in their past and go on with their present and future life. "I hope this re-analysis will not lead our government to shortchange the VA, in terms of providing clinical services for returning troops. Let's make sure that people get the help they need soon, so that they don't develop chronic PTSD," McNally warned.