LeJeune visited a military doctor in Iraq, who, after a quick session, diagnosed depression. The doctor sent him back to war armed with the antidepressant Zoloft and the antianxiety drug clonazepam. "It's not easy for soldiers to admit the problems that they're having over there for a variety of reasons," LeJeune says. "If they do admit it, then the only solution given is pills." Full Story »
Posted by Beth Wellington
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10+
This story gives a really good indication of the toll that the war is taking on our soldiers. It is unfortunate that there is no way to get full numbers of soldiers who are currently serving while being treated for depression and anxiety as many cases are unreported, but even the high number of those that ARE reported is surprising. I found it telling that the journalist mentioned that the number of soldiers taking medications is higher in Afghanistan than Iraq. I think that the war in Afghanistan is largely ignored by the media and the American public.
very good story ,well researched ,most of the statistical data comes from the Army itself.Makes you wonder what we are doing to our young men and women. This is a sad situation that will only get worse. It is so apparent that this war is the worst blunder in recent history now if only our legislators had the courage to admit it.
War with civilian casualties is not easy. Men, women, and children. Wounded children and toys melt your heart. Soldiers are prescribed psychotropic drugs (Prozac and Zoloft) to help with depression. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRs) increase suicide risk. The FDA has added a "black box" for 18 to 24 year olds taking these drugs. (I suffer from PTSD btb)
Mark Thompson does a good job. Mark covers most of the bases. Wanting it to be broad and deep, he talks up-close and personal with a number of key-players: the army doctors and soldiers. But does he go far enough back and in his reach into our broader society, can he see forward. Sadly I think not. And does he portray enough sympathy for the key players in this sad game: the army doctors. I don't know. Ultimately, this is about many soldiers lives.
The doctor sent him back to war armed with the antidepressant Zoloft and the antianxiety drug clonazepam. And a civilian doctor would’ve done the same. This ... More »
Few among the civilian population are aware of the widespread use and abuse of antidepressants/sedatives in Iraq. In most cases these prescriptions are given without any followup, and combining antidepressants and antianxiety medications is in most cases contraindicated. In fact in the absence of close followup, it constitutes malpractice. The overall impression given is that any real concern for our fighting forces by those supporting this war most vigorously is a fraud.
From a Republican ally,I'm peasantly surprised to read such a semingly truthful, forward lookng article. The real cost of the war on Iraq will not be kown for decades.
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