We all know that many WAS are undergoing some kind of mental health crisis. Also obvious is that there are an inordinate number of LBS with WAS that have served in the military. I dont think thats coincidence. There is a link between head trauma and brain damage. Doctors are just beginning to understand the effects. One of the reasons PTSD is much more prevalent in Iraq/Afganastan Vets vs. Vietnam Vets is IUDs and surviving blasts.
The brain is very delicate and even when people walk away from a blast without a scratch we now know that the brain may be altered permanently. Physically the brain will be different. I posted to someone's thread recently that they look into PTSD and the woman replied that her husband did in fact have a mild case. A mild case can not be dismissed, like a mild cough. This is a very real disease.
Recently the sports world has seen hockey player Derek Boogaard overdose and upon autopsy learn that he had a CTE (brian trauma), and no one will be surprised if Junior Seau's autopsy has similar findings.
Before this crisis with my H, I was so dismissive of psychological disorders but I know see how real they are. I am certainly no expert on brian trauma but I urge all spouses of vets to do some serious investigation into the problem through google and the military. Get your spouse the same help you would if they had cancer.
A recent article I read quoted one Vet who had lost his leg in Iraq and to paraphrase regarding his PTSD he said If I had only lost a limb, I wouldnt have a problem.
