Quote:
Originally Posted by ZonieDiver
Has anyone ever seen "The Best Years of Our Lives"? PTSD has been with us a while. I think the reaction of society has a lot to do with it.
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Yes, it's a great movie and it nails that feeling of isolation, of being alone in a crowd that combat vets sometimes experience in the civilian world. What you have done, what you have seen and smelled and felt is something most people can't even imagine. The solace you find is often only in the company of other combat vets. The average civilian idea of a critical issue is a work deadline or a meeting with the boss. Your idea is an ambush or a priority medevac. Nowadays people mean well, supporting the troops, taking the time to thank you for your service, and that's important...but it's still impossible for them to relate. I think men who stay in the military have an advantage over those who don't. Their PTSD issues--if they have them (and I think most people who seen considerable combat or who have suffered serious wounds have it to some degree), are mitigated somewhat by their daily association with fellow combat vets and brothers. The support structure is there.
(FYI, there's another movie called "The Razor's Edge" that Bill Murray starred in that deals quite well this subject.)
--Sam