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4-Star General Confesses to Post-Traumatic Stress

4-star general seeks PTS treatment, speaks out about it

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 25, 2008 10:45 AM CST

(Newser) – The trauma associated with combat is a hushed topic among troops returned from Iraq—but a four-star general’s fight off the battlefield could help usher in a new attitude, USA Today reports. After witnessing the scene of a suicide bomb in an American mess hall at a base near Mosul, Carter Ham came home a different man, his wife said. But a psychological screening and talks with a chaplain put him on the road to recovery.

Some 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have suffered from post-traumatic combat stress, which can lead to PTSD. Ham had trouble sleeping, was disturbed by loud noises, and experienced wild mood swings. But “there clearly is a part of Army culture that says, ‘Tough it out,’” said Ham, who got a wake-up call at a session organized by a fellow general. “I didn't think I needed anybody to help me.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Chart shows number of soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder who served in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2003. (AP)

Army Lt. Gen. Carter Ham, seen at the Pentagon on Feb. 15, 2008, bucked a trend in speaking out about having sought treatment for post-traumatic stress related to his tour of duty in Iraq. (AP Photo)

Army Lt. Gen. Carter Ham, left, struggled to sleep after his combat experiences. (AP Photo)

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You want your soldiers to feel you're not alone. You're not going crazy. I'm not going to say it's normal, but they are expected outcomes of being exposed to this kind of trauma over an extended period of time. - Brig. Gen. Gary Patton

That example is one that would stand out for every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine of any pay grade, officer and enlisted who have been through combat. - Adm. Michael Mullen, about Carter Ham

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4-Star General Confesses to Post-Traumatic Stress