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Camouflaged Blues

By Ray Parrish

The war's not "over" for our vets until it's over in reality. Stress and anxiety are disabling American veterans of today's perpetual war of terror at a rate this country has never seen. That's because they are behaving as if they are still at war. And they are, in many ways. The nightmares and flashbacks remind them daily of the reality of their own personal war. They have an overwhelming anxiety that they will get called back to war involuntarily. They can only see a future of "victory or death." And they cannot change their beliefs or behavior until this war is over! What can we do to help them?

Remember Vietnam? While that war was still going on, VVAW and our supporters provided each other with "political therapy" through marches, rallies, speeches in schools, etc. A vital part of that experience was the veterans' "rap group." These are again springing up, I hear, especially at meetings of young vets and families and through www.Vets4Vets.us. Since taking action is usually more therapeutic than talking about it, the rap groups provide increasing numbers of volunteers and members to peace and justice groups, as well as giving the vets back their lives and returning them (at long last) to society.

Although post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been inexpertly covered (or is it covered up?) by the mainstream media, some vets don't take the time to get very far into the "post" part of their lives. Their behavior degenerates almost immediately upon discharge, if not before. Many vets also have other stress, anxiety and depression symptoms and diagnoses. The catch-22 is that we know that if PTSD symptoms are left untreated for six months, the statistical chance of complete recovery drops below 50%—and it usually takes six months for PTSD symptoms to become obvious. They need help immediately, whether they know it or not!

And there is help out there! It is reported to me that vets and families get volunteer civilian psychological help by the second phone request for it. Don't hesitate to ask, and our fellow Americans will answer this call. There is hope at the end of this tragedy.

The first in a series of articles focusing on grassroots counseling for PTSD and helping with VA claims will begin in the next issue of the Veteran. I need your help. There are many PTSD issues to deal with; group and individual counseling, self-help books, getting treatment, and proving a diagnosis or trauma to the VA are some. I want to start with the topic of outreach: How do I get my vet to ask for help? Tell me of your experiences and send suggestions for topics that you wish me to address. Please email me at camiblue@vvaw.org or ask the national office to forward your letter to me.