Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Long Buried, PTSD Emerges in WWII Veterans

1 in 20 surviving vets affected

By Sarah Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2009 12:30 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – For many World War II veterans, decades-old memories of war aren’t as deeply buried as they once believed. The veterans administration estimates that 5% of the 2.5 million US World War II vets suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Older vets came of age when “expressing psychological symptoms or distress was pretty stigmatized,” a psychiatrist says—meaning emotional wounds often went untreated.

So why is PTSD emerging just now? The changes that come with aging are a factor. The death of a spouse or friend can trigger symptoms, as can health problems. For some, old age simply allows more time to think. “We find many individuals who have … worked out ways to develop defenses,” says one VA pschologist. “But as they get older those defenses don’t work quite as well.”

Herman Zeitchik of Silver Spring, Md., a World War II veteran, places his hand on the inscription for the Battle of The Bulge at the World War II Memorial in Washington, May 25, 2009.
Herman Zeitchik of Silver Spring, Md., a World War II veteran, places his hand on the inscription for the Battle of The Bulge at the World War II Memorial in Washington, May 25, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Alabama Army National Guard Major Mike Davenport presents World War II veteran Sgt. James Hall, 89, with a service medal at North River Assisted Living Facility in Tuscaloosa, April 6, 2009.
Alabama Army National Guard Major Mike Davenport presents World War II veteran Sgt. James Hall, 89, with a service medal at North River Assisted Living Facility in Tuscaloosa, April 6, 2009.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama shakes hands with veterans during the commemoration ceremony of the 65th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, June 6, 2009.
President Barack Obama shakes hands with veterans during the commemoration ceremony of the 65th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, June 6, 2009.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

The dementia folks seem to have more flashbacks, more instances where they really feel they're back in the war. It can be very scary. - Dr. Edgardo Padin-Rivera,
chief of psychology,
Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
RobN
Jul 16, 2009 7:47 AM CDT
My WWII dad did everything he was supposed to do, work, marry, have a bunch of kids and coach little league. He also periodically got depressed and tried to drink his way out of it. Mom used to say he was thinking about things and we should just leave him alone for awhile. Great guy who needed help and would never have asked for it. Not too surprising that there are a lot of his generation who were just the same.
luluzz
Jul 16, 2009 6:07 AM CDT
My dad. a Marine Sgt. was at Iwo Jima and never seemed "normal" when I was growing up. He was caring and loving but just never got into society and couldn't work. The vets hospital finally found him disabled with no physical handicaps, when he was about 40. He never talked about what happened until he was dying. Then he kept calling for his buddies. If that isn't PTSD I don't know what is.
US • Science

 
veterans • psychiatry • Department of Veterans Affairs • World War II • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

More Newser Stories

WWII Vets Receive Mystery Cards From China

Bataan Death March Survivor Dies at 105

9/11 Shows Psychology's Shortcomings

World War II Vet Discovers He's Not a US Citizen

Wounded in Myriad Ways, Veterans Still Being Ignored
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne