Troops being sustained by antidepressants

RN1982 · Jun 7, 2008

I support our troops but the last time I checked, they volunteered for the service and weren't forced. If they need SSRIs to deal with the things they have to deal with over there, so be it. I'm not against it.

Kunzieo · Jun 7, 2008

I support our troops but the last time I checked, they volunteered for the service and weren't ASKED nor forced. If they need SSRIs to deal with the things they have to deal with over there, so be it. I'm not against it.

100% agree.

SoundofMusic · Jun 7, 2008

I think anti-depressants have their role in treatment and I'm very thankful that we have them nowadays. I think many veterans have come home and needed them and not gotten them for generations, and have suffered needlessly. That said, I think counseling is as important. I don't think one can be ready to "listen" without the antidepressant -- but it's not the AD that does the trick -- it's making the cognigive and mental changes that heals. But one cannot heal without being ready to listen first.

I say more power to the troops and doctors have a responsibility to make sure they're on the right med and not in a "daze" like the article says. Other than that -- let them get what they need. Yes, they volunteered, but no one truly can know what combat is like until they're in it -- and NO SOLDIER probably could have imagined they'd have to serve 2-3 tours in a row, as many have had to do.

My own spouse included -- who is on his second tour. He's reporting that he's having a hard time sleeping at night because for many weeks they were taking repeat mortar attacks. I'm trying now to get him to get something for sleep, but as always, he's afraid to ask, afraid of the stigma -- and I find that ridiculous. Here he and many other soldiers are so deserving of any assistance they should get -- but they won't ask.

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2008

Back during the first and second world wars, some soldiers were said to return from war with "shell shock". Anything less serious than the worst of symptoms were swept under the rug. We are now finding out from many WWII veterans that they had a difficult time with depression, anxiety, flashbacks, etc. during their lives and just never told anyone. Much of the alcoholism and substance abuse issues in the Vietnam veteran population can be traced to psychological difficulties.

Now, I think that our military and we as a society are finally starting to recognize that even "tough guys" need help sometimes. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is being identified and treated at earlier stages. I, for one, am thankful for the increased treatment of our military men and women when they encounter psychological difficulties.

imanedrn · Jun 7, 2008

I support our troops but the last time I checked, they volunteered for the service and weren't forced. If they need SSRIs to deal with the things they have to deal with over there, so be it. I'm not against it.

MANY individuals who sign up do NOT know what they were getting into. Recruiters are "encouraged" to "hide" the fine print. I speak from second-hand knowledge.

My husband was enlisted in the Air Force for 9 1/2 years. He knew many recruiters and received information directly from them about their "tactics" on recruiting. It's VERY easy to get some kid who barely graduated high school who lives in a dead-end town to join the military so he can "travel the world," blah blah blah.

Sadly, many of these guys will tell you first-hand that they had no idea what they were getting into. Hence, the antidepressants -- a medication I'm sure these guys would have NEVER considered taking before, let alone knew anything about...

I'm sure you've all seen the commercials, where they make it seem like ANY person who joins the military can be a pilot or a communications officer -- safely tucked away from combat. That's SUCH a far cry from reality, it actually pains me (and my husband!) to watch those. We know it's just part of their recruiting tactics and is COMPLETELY unrealistic for the average Joe.

I had a friend in nursing school who was in combat. He killed people. He now takes MANY medications to deal with PTSD & depression.

It's easy to be removed from the situation and say that they did this "voluntarily." While that IS 100% true, it's also very easy for recruiters to highlight the positives and underscore the negatives -- esp. when a BIG bonus is on the line, and this young, naive kid has a baby and uneducated wife to support. (This is a stereotype, but it is VERY prevalent in the military. Again, I've learned this from my husband, and he said this was the situation with MANY of his co-workers.)

I ask you all to consider the situation of these men and women from a broader perspective. Voluntary or not, killing someone to "support OUR country" (BIG LAUGH!) is not something you can just get over by reminding yourself that you did that "voluntarily."

martinb216 · Jun 7, 2008

I support our troops but the last time I checked, they volunteered for the service and weren't forced. If they need SSRIs to deal with the things they have to deal with over there, so be it. I'm not against it.

I am not arguing against the use of SSRIs for service personnel- far from it. What angers me is that my government [the UK] and yours has sent our young men and women into such a situation where they end up having to have antidepressants etc, and have done so for generations.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Jun 7, 2008

In the "old days" they handed out Grog and Ale to the troops. Now it's zoloft and Prozac.

New century, new names.

At least they recognize a need and are trying to do something about it. I think counseling and/or debriefing is very important as well.

RN1982 · Jun 7, 2008

MANY individuals who sign up do NOT know what they were getting into. Recruiters are "encouraged" to "hide" the fine print. I speak from second-hand knowledge.
My husband was enlisted in the Air Force for 9 1/2 years. He knew many recruiters and received information directly from them about their "tactics" on recruiting. It's VERY easy to get some kid who barely graduated high school who lives in a dead-end town to join the military so he can "travel the world," blah blah blah.
Sadly, many of these guys will tell you first-hand that they had no idea what they were getting into. Hence, the antidepressants -- a medication I'm sure these guys would have NEVER considered taking before, let alone knew anything about...
I'm sure you've all seen the commercials, where they make it seem like ANY person who joins the military can be a pilot or a communications officer -- safely tucked away from combat. That's SUCH a far cry from reality, it actually pains me (and my husband!) to watch those. We know it's just part of their recruiting tactics and is COMPLETELY unrealistic for the average Joe.
I had a friend in nursing school who was in combat. He killed people. He now takes MANY medications to deal with PTSD & depression.
It's easy to be removed from the situation and say that they did this "voluntarily." While that IS 100% true, it's also very easy for recruiters to highlight the positives and underscore the negatives -- esp. when a BIG bonus is on the line, and this young, naive kid has a baby and uneducated wife to support. (This is a stereotype, but it is VERY prevalent in the military. Again, I've learned this from my husband, and he said this was the situation with MANY of his co-workers.)
I ask you all to consider the situation of these men and women from a broader perspective. Voluntary or not, killing someone to "support OUR country" (BIG LAUGH!) is not something you can just get over by reminding yourself that you did that "voluntarily."

Hey I feel flames. Yeah it's probably easy for me to say that they "volunteered" for the service. Whatever. I know how recruiters are. I've been called many many times. I have a close friend who has served three tours in Iraq over the past couple years but he made the decision to re-up because he wanted that money. I'm not removing myself from any situation by saying that either.

leslie :-D · Jun 7, 2008

I am not arguing against the use of SSRIs for service personnel- far from it. What angers me is that my government [the UK] and yours has sent our young men and women into such a situation where they end up having to have antidepressants etc, and have done so for generations.

and, not to serve our soldier's best interests:

rather, to serve the govt's best interests.

but- if the ssri's are helping our kids on any level of coping, i'm all for it.

leslie

ktwlpn, LPN · Jun 7, 2008

There will always be armed conflicts.Implying that our volunteer military is being taken advantage of and being put into situations that they are not prepared for is naive and also assumes the enlistees are too stoopid to read..Any idiot can pick up a newspaper or turn on the news and see that the assorted branches of our military are also involved in some dangerous humanitarian missions regularly.Sure they will "travel the world" but they well know it may be dangerous.Heck,boot camp is dangerous. The problem as I see it is within the Veteran's administration.There is such a stigma on PTSD and other mental disorders that it is terribly under- treated and under-reported.They can save people now that had no chance a few years ago and the whole system is over-whelmed both with the mentally and physically disabled. I don't believe we belong in Irag or Afghanistan but I support the troops.Tomorrow they may be called upon to enter into a conflict or situation that I personally feel is appropriate.They deserve the very best medical care this country can provide.

lela186 · Jun 7, 2008

As a military nurse who is currently deployed, I see how the effects of the war are affecting soldiers of all ages and socioeconomics everyday. If someone needs help, whether it be therapy or medications or self help groups, whatever, more power to them for recognizing this. It is easy to sit back at our computers and judge what we think others should do, but until you have been over there and seen what our soldiers are seeing, I think no one can judge the choices these soldiers make in seeking help. As for joining the military, my husband has been active duty for 14 years and is now a recruiter. Not everyone that joins the military is of low income with a family to support. I graduated college, had an excellent paying job and chose to join in order to fight and support my country. I take pride that I serve our nation, and feel like our soldiers should be the most respected people in the country. The support of our soliders allow you to have the freedoms that you enjoy right now, including posting on this website. Before lumping people into groups about joining for the money, or "knowing what they were getting into" think about all the freedoms you have because of our soliders. Some were prepared, some were not, but until you have been overseas and see the things that I occur, I find it hard for anyone to critizize or judge others choices. Don't offend our soldiers or disrespect them just because you don't agree with the war or the goverment. The bottom line is, they represent America over there and give thier lives so that our country can continue to enjoy the freedoms that it has in the past.