want to know how mother soldiers handle PTS?

[donsu]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/19/AR2006081900353.html


Home but Still Haunted
Md. Iraq Veteran and Thousands Like Her Are Coping With

-snip-

For women who are mothers, combat-related PTSD may have added significance. Often, after war, "it's not the same mommy who left," said Yale University associate professor Laurie Harkness, who runs a Veterans Affairs mental health clinic in Connecticut. Although the same can be said for fathers, she said, "mothers in general are the emotional hub of a family."

-snip-

"Mommy! Mommy!" her youngest daughter, then 2, shrieked during a visit in Falls Church, climbing all over her.

Johnson had been a mother since she had her son at age 14. Now she felt overwhelmed. She rose to leave.

"I can't do this," she told her sister.

In her car, she sobbed, wondering how she could feel so disconnected. "I realized that I just walked out on my babies."

-snip-

Her eldest daughter was nearly 12 when Johnson returned. The girl seemed different -- dressing in black, skipping school, no more smiles, no hugs. She wondered: Was it because of her absence?

-snip-

Her youngest, now 5, is still focused on Mommy, and Johnson is glad -- though sometimes she still finds herself overwhelmed. On weekends, she and her fiance often have six or more children around, hers and his and often a niece or nephew.

-snip-

If she is home, she may retreat to her bedroom. There, she can collect herself. Or she may, for a moment, lose her connection to everything, as the ceiling fan turns, as her mind goes blank.
----------------------------------------

she stays armed at all times, even at home - with a knife

sigh

[Poppyseedman]

1. Probably going to be stepping on some toes here

but "Mommies" should not be veterans returning from combat conditions.

[alarimer]

2. And it's okay for dads?

Give me a fucking break.

[Poppyseedman]

5. Did I say that

or are you putting words in my mouth?

[Bluerthanblue]

3. I agree with you- and

I'll take it one further- after all these centuries of war, killing and violence being used to 'settle' disputes, or to bring about 'peace' (what an oxymoron) no one should be going or returning from combat conditions anywhere on earth-

We humans can be such stupid, stubborn and foolish beings.


peace is more than a choice, it is an essential way of life


blu

[Crunchy Frog]

4. Daddies shouldn't be either.

I'd rather see them reinstate the draft, and take only people who don't have children then see mommies and daddies have to leave their children to go into combat.

[alarimer]

6. I don't think so

So single people are expendable? What shit. You sign up, you take your chances. The person in the article obviously is not getting the help she needs from anyone, esp. the military. And THAT is the problem.