U.S. diplomats returning from Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder

[babylonsister]

Maybe now PTSD will be studied. :eyes:

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070502/1a_bottomstrip02.art.htm

U.S. diplomats returning from Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder
State Dept. plans to study effects of war-zone work

By Barbara Slavin
USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — U.S. diplomats are returning from Iraq with the same debilitating, stress-related symptoms that have afflicted many U.S. troops, prompting the State Department to order a mental health survey of 1,400 employees who have completed assignments there.

Larry Brown, the State Department's director of medical services, said that as early as this month the department will e-mail questionnaires to employees who have been posted in Iraq.

The surveys, to be completed anonymously, are intended to determine how many returning diplomats and civilian employees are suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other problems as a result of exposure to a war zone, Brown said.

State Department employees in Iraq seldom leave the capital's heavily fortified Green Zone. Even there, rocket and mortar attacks are frequent, and the sound of gunfire is constant. Suicide bombers have penetrated the zone on rare occasions, most recently on April 12.

more...

[Jacobin]

1. When I read reports like this, talking about Americans with PTSD

I cringe in shame, because NONE of these reports EVER talks about the PTSD plague that besets the Iraqis who live there and the millions who have no choice and cannot leave.

Its almost a racist thing. "Only civilized white people can be affected by violence. forget about those ragheads, they aren't real people and can't suffer mentally."

[babylonsister]

2. There aren't too many people talking about anything that might

plague the Iraqis, despite the killng fields we're creating. Least of all, in that equation, the one ordering the killing.
But I agree, there must be enormous problems with PTSD in Iraq, and I have read about it recently. :(

[atreides1]

3. ?????

Aren't most of these diplomats BushBots anyway? I'm not trying to lessen the severity of PTSD, but my main concern is for the troops and the Iraqi people, the BushBots are getting what they deserve
in my opinion.

This may affect my Karma, but it's a chance I'm willing to take.