PTSD

[E L Whisty]

It is unsurprising that we encounter, on a forum bristling with armchair air marshals and other self appointed 'experts', several examples of arrogant assertions about PTSD. Is it entirely impossible that a civil servant can suffer a PTSD? Does one have to have served in uniform to qualify, or be allowed the diagnosis?

I have served. I have been severely injured on active service and I still suffer chronic and acute pain from my injuries, sustained more than 25 years ago. A complication of my medical condition was a PTSD caused by the circumstances of my injury. Some of the psychological effects were to do with the conduct of some officers in my chain of command who were not entirely supportive. So forgive me for having a mild reaction to some of the above.

My medical history, however, does not qualify me to make any assertions about whether another person is fit, qualified or worthy of a PTSD.

PTSD is a condition that can, or should, only be made by a properly trained and qualified practitioner - not by a mob of crew room cowboys. It can be extremely distressing and is not always, or just, a result of being, or seeing others, physically harmed. Betrayal and unprincipled conduct by those who should be trusted can greatly exacerbate the psychological damage.

It distresses not just the patient but their loved ones. It can last a long time. Being woken by a screaming terrified man 25 years after events that you know nothing of requires great patience, love and understanding. For at least one person, it never goes away - one just finds ways of coping.

I fear that the unprincipled, arrogant, duplicitous treachery of our government and its servants will have dreadful effects on our people who serve and become physically and psychologically damaged by their experiences in Blair / Brown's wars. It will last for many years - believe you me!

P.S. It being New Year's Eve, I am off to the fridge to open a bottle of 'coping strategy of preference' - cheers and Happy New Year!