Bad PR for VA....

In a March 20th e-mail to staff of her PTSD program at the Olin E. Teague VA psychologist Dr. Norma J. Perez noted that "Given that we are having more and more compensation seeking veterans, I'd like to suggest that you refrain from giving a diagnosis of PTSD straightout. Consider a diagnosis of adjustment disorder NOS, R/O PTSD. Additionally, we really don't have time to do the extensive testing that should be done to determine PTSD." This has caused a stir in the blogosphere among veterans, service organizations, Congress and the general public.

A general belief has been expressed that this indicates a generally negative mindset among VA staff toward veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I think that there are other ways to interpret the quote. One of those might be a concern that there are not enough resources to adequately diagnose and treat veterans and that incorrectly diagnosing a vet's problem would be a bad idea. My belief is that there need to be many more resources devoted to one of the two signature wounds (along with traumatic brain injuries) of war in the sandbox. What say you?

Never Ending War

The title of "Traumatized Psychologist" for this blog is intended as a psychological "hook" and is in no way an attempt to diminish the suffering that people experience in war. I have had my share of stresses and so have most people. It is when the stress is a catastrophic trauma that we as human beings are likely to go off track. With the war in the Middle East seeming to be turning into a Never Ending or 100 Years War that more and more folks are beginning to become concerned about the effects of the war on our husbands, wives, children, parents and country. I will attempt in these blogs to address some of the things I learned in Vietnam, as a graduate student and professor, and as a professional helper who has been privileged to help our wounded warriors in my own small way. Please feel free to respond to any of my posts. I am not a guru or expert and definitely do not have all the answers......