When the War Never Ends: The Voices of Military Members with PTSD and Their Families

About this book

The chances of service members developing PTSD after military-related traumas is according to a U.S. study at least 30 percent. The effects of PTSD can be devastating ranging for example from distressing flashbacks nightmares sleep disorders physical symptoms irritability aggressions memory and concentration problems. These symptoms often cause severe impairment in all areas of life and may lead to despair and hopelessness. PTSD is neither a localized nor a temporary problem. Here Leah Wizelman relates the true stories of service members from different service branches and ranks from the U.S. Canada Australia and Germany who were participants in various wars (Vietnam Gulf war Iraq Afghanistan Grenada) and peace missions (Kosovo Bosnia Croatia Cambodia Somalia Cyprus Haiti). They talk openly about their lives after trauma and share their fates with the reader. Spouses of affected military members also tell their stories. They talk about how difficult it is to live with a partner with PTSD and how it affects their children but also how they manage to cope. As these stories show all too vividly military-related PTSD has not been dealt with effectively or with enough empathy or sympathy. Those affected by PTSD will realize that they are not alone in their suffering and others will gain insight into the realities of this challenging mental disorder.