But He's Got A Great Personality...Disorder?

A recent article in The Nation talks about how Army doctors may be diagnosing soldiers with personality disorders in order to process them quickly out of the military. Unfortunately, that usually means that the soldier loses benefits and treatment because of being diagnosed with the "pre-existing condition."

The article starts:

Jon Town has spent the last few years fighting two battles, one against his body, the other against the US Army. Both began in October 2004 in Ramadi, Iraq. He was standing in the doorway of his battalion's headquarters when a 107-millimeter rocket struck two feet above his head. The impact punched a piano-sized hole in the concrete facade, sparked a huge fireball and tossed the 25-year-old Army specialist to the floor, where he lay blacked out among the rubble.

"The next thing I remember is waking up on the ground." Men from his unit had gathered around his body and were screaming his name. "They started shaking me. But I was numb all over," he says. "And it's weird because... because for a few minutes you feel like you're not really there. I could see them, but I couldn't hear them. I couldn't hear anything. I started shaking because I thought I was dead."

After two more years, Town was inexplicably given a personality disorder discharge and told that he would never receive disability or medical benefits. The report alleges that this is becoming a pattern, and a way that the Army is using to save money and rapidly separate injured soldiers.

The entire article is worth reading if you know anyone suffering from these types of issues. Unfortunately, people with PTSD symptoms can be misdiagnosed if they are not careful, losing benefits and more importantly, the care that they need.

The bottom line is that our soldiers need to be educated and protected from being shafted by a few people in positions of power. Although most doctors and medical officers will do the right thing, the troops need to be aware of what they are facing and to be prepared to fight against the machine if necessary.

I think that most veterans want to be completely healed, and go on to live productive lives. Those who are disabled shouldn't have to fight blindly against the system. One resource that has been spoken highly of is The Veteran's Survival Guide - 2nd Edition by John D. Roche.

Mr. Roche used to be a claims adjudication specialist for the VA, and this book provides a step by step way to construct a legitimate claim. The Veteran's PTSD Handbook is another book that he has written specifically to help troops overcome the obstacles that they may face when attempting to file for disability and treatment benefits. (Out on April 30)

If you're struggling with these issues, imagine how good it will feel when you have the rules of the VA system laid out in front of you. You'll feel more confident and able to pursue the benefits that you have rightfully earned.

To your healing!

Mike