KXII News reports " nearly 90%" troops have PTSD?

I was just going to let this go but it came from a news station, not a blogger. "Nearly 90%" figure is the first time I've ever heard of it that high. Is it possible? I suppose but frankly it would mean instead of looking at a million over the next five years, we're looking at about 1.5 million now. Does the reporter know the difference between Post Traumatic Stress and Post Traumatic Disorder? There is a huge difference. The PTS can and usually does lead into the disorder if left untreated. Mental health professionals say that if the symptoms last more than a month, they need to seek help because it could be a lot more serious than just recovering after trauma. Did an expert put the figure of PTSD at 90% or was this just a misunderstanding? I emailed to find out.

KXII-TV - Sherman,TX,USA
New PTSD program for veterans
Posted: 5:38 PM Jul 23, 2008
Last Updated: 6:25 PM Jul 23, 2008
Reporter: Emi FitzGerald
Email Address: mailto:emi.fitzgerald@kxii.com?subject=New

BONHAM, TX -- A new program helps returning soldiers get the help they need. Nearly ninety percent of the men and women who return home from combat suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, but many of those do not seek treatment.

Therapists say many times a person doesn't even know he or she is suffering from PTSD, until they usually tell a primary care physician their symptoms, and notice something's not right. Even though the Bonham Veteran's Administration's program is in its infancy, it's already seeing results.

The images of war are unforgettable, seared in the minds of members of US armed forces. Everyone is happy to return home. For many, settling back into normal life isn't easy.

"I just noticed things start to seep in. [I was] having anger frustrations, the dreams started occurring and as it went along it started to get really bad. It got to where I couldn't sleep, felt restless at night," says Sgt. Shane Stone served for years in the army.

He traveled to several countries, the latest Iraq. He returned home in August 2003. Stone tried medication for PTSD, but says he felt lifeless.

“My anger caused me a lot of problems, getting in trouble, things like that. I knew I'd have enough. I hurt all my family and my close friends,” he says.

Two months ago, Stone started attending therapy at the Bonham VA hospital. The mental health unit started a new program specifically for PTSD. Doctors noticed more area veterans showing symptoms, especially younger veterans recently returning from combat.

"We find that we can make benefits not only in sleep and anger and intrusive thoughts about the past, but we can also do a lot to improve family function, help them maintain jobs and all kinds of things," says Steve Bender, psychologist and head of the PTSD program at the hospital.
go here for more
http://www.kxii.com/home/headlines/25828859.html

On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:11:58 EDT

Namguardianangel@aol.com wrote:

I was just reading your article on PTSD. I am wondering where you got the 90% PTSD figure from? I track all of this across the country and internationally. This is the first I've heard that percentage.

BONHAM, TX -- A new program helps returning soldiers get the help they need. Nearly ninety percent of the men and women who return home from combat suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, but many of those do not seek treatment.

I am doing a post linking to your story now and would really appreciate a
clarification on this as soon as you can.

Emi responds

I got the figure from the VA psychologist I interviewed in
the story. The actual figure was 87%. Hope that helps!

As you can see, it was no misunderstanding. It also means that when a VA doctor admits the figure is that high, it's one of the biggest reasons they have as huge of a problem addressing the needs of the veterans. It also means that data has not been published from the VA that tells the truth. So much for hearings before the Senate and congress when they have minimized this.

Senior Chaplain Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com
www.Namguardianangel.org
www.Woundedtimes.blogspot.com
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington