White Rose MTV's True Life Episode: "I Have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
January 8th, 2009 by White Rose
Here is the first clip of the MTV True Life episode that my son as on. Even though he is having a few problems with the VA right now on getting him into MMI in Phoenix, and has his moments of depression, it is not as bad as it was a year ago. I am so very proud of him and the progress he has made in overcoming PTSD. Go to True Life | Full Episode | 'I Have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder' | Veterans cope with the horrors of war to view the full show and send comments to these young men.
I am eternally grateful for MTV filming this segment on the ravages of PTSD. We still have a long way to go to convince the world that this mental wound has a significant grounding in the mind of the afflicted.
Ask yourself honestly…dig deep…when you hear of a soldier having PTSD, what is the first thing that enters your mind? I would bet that most will answer, malingering (faking it).
I know because I see the disbelief in many people eyes when they learn of my having PTSD. Our society says that people with mental illness are not worth helping, that they are weak.
Don't think so? Then how come in the 70's they let everyone who was in a mental institution out on the streets? On any given day 200,000 veterans
…so anyway, as I was saying…200,000 veterans are out on the streets. 33% served in a war zone, 45% have a mental illness, while 76% are dually diagnosed with a mental illness and addiction.
4,837 soldiers have been lost to us forever…another staggering number…6,200 veterans commit suicide every year…
A great segment appeared on NPR tonight about PTSD. One conclusion was that no soldier having experienced battle is without some form of PTSD (formerly called "shell-shock"). They just deal with it differently, as is the case with responses to other such traumas.
Regardless, my best to all who experience any such responses/symptoms to battle conditions.
White Rose,
I saw the episode on MTV a little while ago and I do not know if this is a new one, but I thought of you and your son. I even talked to my husband, like myself an OIF Vet, about your book right after a saw the TrueLife.
I hope that he gets the assistance he needs and let him know that we are praying and thinking of him.