Soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan often face daily attacks and are under constant alert. Two counselors who work with traumatized soldiers talk about their coping mechanisms.
Lastnight, 8-31-07, on the PBS Newshour, they showed parts of this video report:
Inside The Surge
They than had a discussion with the two counselors who work with traumatized soldiers.
The Counselors:
Heidi Kraft
Psychologist
"This is something, unfortunately, that with operational tempo many times we're up against, but of course sleep deprivation and physical and emotional exhaustion all play into a person's ability to cope with stress."
And
Brian Butler
Pike Peak Behavior Health Group
"It has a huge impact on them, in terms of the existential anxiety and the confusion they feel in trying to do the mission as well as they can, but at the same time there's no clear-cut boundaries and there's no clear-cut enemy."
The transcript can be found at the above link as well as the audio, or you can Click Here to Listen in Real Audio
Also
Both Heidi Kraft and Brian Butler will be taking questions about combat stress in an online forum. To participate, go to this page at the NewsHour site
You can leave a question for these counselors, than return on Sept. 7th '07 for answers to your questions.
{If you missed Ilona's Diary you won't be sorry if you take a visit, alot of information and links to follow, to learn more about an extremely important subject important to us all, so take a look see.}
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McCain Uses POW Status as Sword & Shield
From MSN -
From MSN - PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can be triggered years after a traumatic event.
__________________________McCain Uses POW Status as Sword & Shield