I read this morning about the plight of people in Vietnam after the war over 40 years ago. The chemical spray, Agent Orange, which foreign armies sprayed to clear areas, still causes birth defects in children, who are then ostracized and left unable to receive the benefit of health care.
How shocking—these clinging effects of war.
In addition to soldier's physical problems either exacerbated or caused by war, emotional problems could also be brought on by battle. The First World War is often associated with the syndrome called shell shock. This was originally believed to have a physical origin, caused by loud shelling. However, soldiers who had never been exposed to shells were developing the same symptoms. During the horrendous Battle of the Somme in 1916, there was a severe increase in the number of cases.
During WW2 the problems was known as Combat Fatigue, now, it is called PTSD. Soldiers are trained that they must kill or be killed.
How shocking—these clinging effects of war.
In addition to soldier's physical problems either exacerbated or caused by war, emotional problems could also be brought on by battle. The First World War is often associated with the syndrome called shell shock. This was originally believed to have a physical origin, caused by loud shelling. However, soldiers who had never been exposed to shells were developing the same symptoms. During the horrendous Battle of the Somme in 1916, there was a severe increase in the number of cases.
During WW2 the problems was known as Combat Fatigue, now, it is called PTSD. Soldiers are trained that they must kill or be killed.
The after-affects linger in modern-day soldiers too—as many as one in ten suffer from mental health problems. More than 11,300 UK troops have suffered from at least one bout of mental health problems since 2007, according to the UK Ministry of Defence. Of those, 1,235 have been awarded compensation and discharged with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The figures, obtained under a Freedom of Information request, show 718 were discharged for depression, while 130 were suffering from alcohol-related behavioral disorders.
It's no surprise that, after the distress soldiers experience during war, they find it hard to be the same, emotionally, ever again.
Some veterans of past wars have recovered from their traumatic experience with the right care. But should we prepare troops for what is to come? How could we protect them from mental trauma before they are sent to fight, as opposed to treating their symptoms once the deep psychological damage has already been done?
If I had my way, there would be no more wars fought. Full stop. We shouldn't interfere in other country's fights. I know, it seems heartless to let dictators cause misery to the people. In a way, avoiding involvement is like watching a bully terrorize innocent people. The shocking example of Hitler comes to mind.
Should we just defend our own rights or should we help others if it means damaging our own personnel?
The figures, obtained under a Freedom of Information request, show 718 were discharged for depression, while 130 were suffering from alcohol-related behavioral disorders.
It's no surprise that, after the distress soldiers experience during war, they find it hard to be the same, emotionally, ever again.
Some veterans of past wars have recovered from their traumatic experience with the right care. But should we prepare troops for what is to come? How could we protect them from mental trauma before they are sent to fight, as opposed to treating their symptoms once the deep psychological damage has already been done?
If I had my way, there would be no more wars fought. Full stop. We shouldn't interfere in other country's fights. I know, it seems heartless to let dictators cause misery to the people. In a way, avoiding involvement is like watching a bully terrorize innocent people. The shocking example of Hitler comes to mind.
Should we just defend our own rights or should we help others if it means damaging our own personnel?
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