Documentary Will Examine PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

(SALEM, Ore.) - Far too little information exists for American combat veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly referred to as PTSD.

Hundreds of thousands of men and women have been diagnosed with PTSD, and with each new deployment to the war theaters, the number grows. Outside of the standard government programs, answers for this unfortunate problem are sometimes few and far between.

From standard Veteran's Administration programs to controversial "PTSD Virtual Reality Therapy" under development at USC, to a program that takes combat vets drift boat fishing, we will show Americans how many possibilities actually exist to help people who suffer from this disorder.

By airing this program on television and then placing it in libraries througout the nation, and on the Internet, we will eventually reach millions.

At this time, there are too few informative resources to guide and educate sufferers and their families, friends and employers. All those affected need help with the challenges of PTSD.

One of the prime causes of PTSD is war combat, but there is an endless list of traumatic events that can cause a person to suffer from this condition.

Among Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are far more people suffering from PTSD than there are answers. This documentary will present numerous types of therapy options for PTSD sufferers and their families, and it will examine the history and emerging treatments for this disorder.

A good deal more will be released on this in the near future. For now, we are looking for one or more partners who want to be associated with this program by providing production funding. A good deal of the program has already been recorded and the budget is very reasonable.

This is an excellent opportunity for a NW or national business to show in real terms, their committment to the healing of PTSD vets.

Our photojournalist Tim King spent five weeks in Iraq last summer gathering interviews for the documentary with soldiers and Marines in the war theater. These interviews, along with more that King recorded in Afghanistan the two prior years, will be featured in the documentary. They may represent the first time PTSD has been examined in this way from people still fighting the war; people who may later suffer PTSD-related problems, and people who already do.

A documentary presenting the factual data combined with advice from one combat veteran to another is invaluable.

Any businesses or individuals who want to help us help combat vets and their families, can visit our PayPal link and make a simple contribution with a major credit card. You can remain anonymous if you wish; those who don't will be featured on a special Internet page lending our gratitude to those who assisted.

We have already made a significant investment to get the project this far and we continue to fund progress on the program every day. We appreciate the help of all who care.

Salem-News.com Top Stories

2025: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Two Wars with No Way Out

No One Owns the Future

The Ugly Origins of Trump's America First Policy

A One-State Solution Could Transform the World

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Christeen January 9, 2013 10:20 pm (Pacific time)

Soc Blog Monday April 11, 2011This is a very frightening and diuifcflt problem that bears a harrowing similarity to the PTSD cases found in many Vietnam Vets. I worry that we are walking down the same path with the Wars in the Middle East, especially with Afghanistan, for we seem to be fighting an almost invisible enemy and we have no real way of knowing if it s been defeated. But regardless of how the War is progressing, a continually rising suicide rate is not a pleasant statistic, and it will only heighten the challenges currently deployed soldiers, and soldiers to be must face .The essential problem seems to be that by simply being a solider, these men and women are better equipped to actually commit the act of suicide. They re trained to overcome mental and emotional stress with physical violence, and this while useful in combat, is not an effective way to deal with personal problems.The other common denominator in most of the suicide cases was relationship problems, which, not surprisingly, seems to arise the more times a solider is deployed.Their offered solution is intriguing, but it s effectiveness is diuifcflt to gauge, because suicide is such a personal problem. But increasing the dwell time in between deployments so that the stress of combat may subside may be coming in too late to the plan.They talk about not preventing suicide, but at holistically improving the physical, mental, and spiritual health of soldiers so that they can stop suicide from ever becoming a thought.This to me sounds like the most effective plan. I myself have never contemplated suicide, but I have a close friend who has been to the edge of that abyss and taken a long look down. Wondering if it was worth it to jump. I tried helping, and continue to help him, but once he s gotten the idea, it seems it always comes creeping back into his mind like a virus. Waiting for the right time to strike.If he had made different choices in his life, he may not have ended up where he was. But I fear that in his case, and as may be the case with many others, some people are simply more prone to suicide based on their personalities, and that is a terribly diuifcflt thing to alter. Certainly we can train ourselves to think positively, but when confronted with the worst, we often revert back to our most basic and natural instincts and feelings. If these soldiers have even had the inkling of thought that suicide might be a possibility, there may be little we can do for them once they are placed in such a serious situation. For these people, the only option I can think of is to forgo the military entirely, but discovering this about yourself is no easy task either. This is certainly a daunting problem, and one I hope these changes will start to improve. But until then, I can only send all my love and positive thoughts to the men and women who fight and die for our country, and hope they will make it through the day.

David P.Curcione April 18, 2011 10:36 am (Pacific time)

1. We Should Close Most of the U.S.A. Military Bases up overseas immeadly now agreed!To Many Military Bases out in other Nations to agreed!

E42 February 26, 2011 8:36 am (Pacific time)

This PTSD is so real. I am a vet with 2 Iraq deployments and retired in August of 2008. I have been on every type of medication and groups since 08 nothing is helping. I was a military policeman in Ramadi Iraq and it was bad over there.I'm going thru my second divorce as we speak, so someone told me to try there medical marijuana I did it has helped but I am not presribed it so now it looks like PTSD may win. I stop drinking 2yrs ago and I just cant cope. my wife dont understand it wont try to understand it and seems like she dont care so I am asking for some help Please!!! In Kansas needing help

Primo July 8, 2010 8:02 am (Pacific time)

We are looking into the use of cannabis as a treatment for PTSD. See lots more at LegalBeagle's blog at www.letstalkaboutpot.com

David P.Curcione( R) May 20, 2010 1:23 pm (Pacific time)

1. There is to many U.S. military U.s bases in Europe too! We should closed some of the Smaller Bases too! They are target for Alquata Groop Teriest still active too! Tell the U.S. Congress andU.S.Senate closed some fo these U.S.Military bases out in Europe Pean nations too! 0.78% should be cloosed down too! agreed!!! We are broke in U.S. Fund"s today too! true!!

RIP DRS August 3, 2009 12:05 am (Pacific time)

I am just really finding out about ptsd after my boyfriend committed suicide July 8, 2009. It is really real and everyone who knew him said he was never the same when he came back from Iraq. He was trying his best to be a model citizen and regain control of his life but he constantly complained about the visions of dead children and picking up his soliders/friends body parts. He was attending treatment at the VA but apparently that was not enough...im saddened to hear that the VA has been covering up the suicide rates and not enough is being done to help our disabled veterans. Even though he came back from war he still became a casualty of it. Something must be done...more awareness is definitely needed.

Tim King: I am so sorry to hear about this, it is an unfair position that these veterans are placed in . Dr. Leveque and I are here for any support and you can email me at tim@salem-news.com. I would be interested in hearing more about this, and maybe we could help. If you or your boyfriend's family just need to ask questions or anything, please write to us. Thank you for your comment.

Blackhorse_70V April 21, 2009 6:19 am (Pacific time)

The chronic stress one experiences while serving during a police action should lead the military to ask, Who doesn't have PTSD? For almost thirty years I have been saying that, unlike MacNamera and other old soldiers from wars past, Vietnam veterans don't just fade away; they kill themselves. Recent statistics reveal that the trend is increasing among our current vets and active military. These were all healthy people when they began their military service. The Israeli Defense Forces, with much lower rates of PTSD than the US, have even been willing to test marijuana as a possible treatment. That's not about the weed, it's about how some are willing to try anything to help their veterans recapture their lives. No one is asking that we worship our veterans. But aside from the men and women who have worn our uniform and stood at post, the last feller who was willing to die for me did so 2,000 years ago (so I am told). My free expression here, in the English language, are courtesy of US veterans.

DdC March 9, 2009 12:28 am (Pacific time)

Veterans for Medical Marijuana Access http://www.veteransformedicalmarijuana.org/ Ganja for PTSD and Depression 300000 Iraq and Afghan Vets Suffer PTSD and Depression http://drugwarrant.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4198#4198 Many Veterans are the Enemy of the Bush D.E.A.th War http://www.drugwarrant.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=62

Richard Denne February 19, 2009 3:02 pm (Pacific time)

Tim, Bonnie: Thank you for what you are doing on this issue. The first time I heard the ailment term PTSD, was when I was, diagnosed as having the symptoms of it back in 2001. After being interviewed, tested and passed around to four social workers, three psychologist, two psychiatrist and a pear tree, I was informed that I rang all the bells and blew all the whistles to be categorically ‘bipolar/PTSD .” Was that a bad thing, I asked? No they said, and assured me that with the right MED’s and a short supervision period I can live a normal life. I was, then given a prescription for some drugs and told to read a couple of books on my condition. Then I was, handed a $900.00 bill. Thank you very much I said. Well, needless to say, I read a couple of books on the subject matter only to have more questions come up than answers. I felt I was, left holding a bag. (A bag of books at that) The thing is; I sought help for having the very same symptoms while I was still in the military back in 1967. Yes you read that right, nineteen sixty- seven. The military psychiatrist back then misdiagnosed me as being a maladjusted malcontent trying to get out of duty assignments. Well, needless to say, I went right to a dictionary and looked up those two ‘mal’ words. (“F.U.B.A.R”), is what I thought, as my military records at that, very moment stated that I was, rated as “Excellent” and an “Exemplary’ veteran combat paratrooper. Look up, ‘exemplary!’ That is a good thing, right? It has been 43 years now and I am still seeking treatment for this mystery PTSD/bipolar thing. What is up with that? If they cannot nor will not help a combat veteran, then whom will they help. Too many COMBAT veterans do not seek help on their own. (There’s the rub) Too many of our country’s citizens ‘have faith’ that our government takes care of our military combat veterans. I don't have any faith that those citizens, know what the process is. Alternatively, if in fact the process is working, why not? Our ‘treasure’ volunteered to come running to the aid of our country in the time of this war. “Some came running!” When they find out like the Vietnam vets did that these wars were unnecessary. Who among us will tell them to read a couple of books? That is a hard pill to swallow. IN fact, I was diagnosed having PTSD from my combat experiences and then diagnosed as being bipolar from what the military did to me after I made it out of Vietnam. AWOLs, desertions, suicides are now going on. MY experience will cover these issues. Your efforts will shine a light on many of my questions. So Good luck.

Cpl.M.B.USMC February 15, 2009 11:03 am (Pacific time)

I too...went through, and are still dealing with problems, both physically and mentally associated from Th'Gulf. I served from '90~'94, and have only received "medications" as treatment(which actually made my problems WORSE in the "long~haul". After an overdose in a public bathroom, I decided to go natural...and "self diagnose" my problems...and have done much better...though I deal with it constantly still. Herbs, marijuana, and good nutrition have been the key to me staying alive (after 14 yrs. of hell)...and more to come! Thank you to all of those that search for truth...we appreciate your help brothers and sisters.

Henry Ruark February 9, 2009 1:37 pm (Pacific time)

JW: Yours is sensible suggestion to check out. Their experience should perhaps aid and guide some others in addition to documentary points. My response triggered by fact of similar value in first porbings re healthcare costs decades ago in Chicago, when client group-process at major national convention (at LMA suggestion) found detail on massive changes underway, led to series early-on re that problem.

JW February 9, 2009 12:42 pm (Pacific time)

I wonder how many posters here are service-connected for PTSD? Maybe they have input that can let people know that there are many veterans who have interacted for many years in self-help processes.

Henry Ruark February 9, 2009 12:36 pm (Pacific time)

Kevin: I see nothing in this report of plans for this documentary to indicate any part or parcel of what the work may or may NOT contain. Knowing Tim and his works I suggest yoy wait and see; if you feel strongly, you might even contribute information, rational, reasonable reasons for inclusion, and some small or large amount to make possible full and professional production, always costly and difficult as I learned "the hard way" in Chicago action for ten years.

ChrisJones February 9, 2009 12:16 pm (Pacific time)

I've heard that mdma is helpful in the treatment for ptsd as well. I want these guys and girls to have access to any substance or treatment that is helpful to their healing and every civilized humane human stands with me.

Kevin February 9, 2009 9:30 am (Pacific time)

It's a shame that they're not mentioning the potential of MDMA treatment for PTSD.

Henry Ruark February 9, 2009 9:27 am (Pacific time)

Tim, Bonnie: Congratulations on this solid sign of appreciation for your Iraq materials and what it takes to produce such an epochal documentary. It is an honor for Oregon to have such opportunity for one of its own, and surely many in our beloved state will rally to assist in any and every possible way.

[Return to Top]

Documentary Will Examine PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Quick Links

DINING

MUST SEE SALEM

AUCTIONS - APPRAISALS

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

ONLINE SHOPPING

Advertise with Salem-News