After nearly 9 years, the war in Iraq will end this month with thousands of troops returning home.
But Dr. Scott Bea said that battle, for some, is far from over.
“I think it’s very similar to the Vietnam conflict,” said Bea, a psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic. “There’s so much uncertainty, there’s so much a sense a lack of control. I think that’s one of the particular elements that’s traumatic for these vets.”
Bea said some servicemen and women may combat mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD.
“Veterans that’ve been treated for some mental health condition, nearly 54 percent are treated for PTSD,” he said. “You’d think that depression and anxiety would be very common. PTSD outruns all of that in our combat veterans.”
Diagnosing PTSD can be a challenge. Bea said it can take a person several weeks to transition back to civilian life. Some signs of the disorder may take weeks, months or years to surface.
Bea admits that technology has helped advance treatment of PTSD, but like any mental illness, there is a stigma behind it. Popular treatments include prescription medications, cognitive-behavior therapy, and recently, eye-movement therapy.
Yet, some health experts say exercise may be a good solution to PTSD, which will affect about one in eight of those coming back.
“Exercise mobilizes some good chemicals in our brains,” Bea said. “I think, more than anything, we have to know our troops are in a phase of transition.”
Dennis Clausing, 66, goes to the gym to improve his health and to relieve stress.
“I sleep all night. I get up in the morning. I’m wide awake,” he said. “In fact, I’m usually awake before the alarm clock goes off to come here and work out.”
The 20-year Air Force veteran from North Olmsted said that while he does not suffer from the disorder, he hopes troops take the time and treatment they need during the return to their families.
“In a combat situation, when you have to live like that, constantly worrying about your life, that’s going to affect you,” Clausing said. “I don’t care how strong you are. I really believe that.”