PTSD

Tags: history, war, Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, news, links

Yeah. And we're going to have vets from Iraq and Afghanistan coming out of
the woodwork with PTSD for the rest of our lives.

~~~
Stress hits some vets late in life
Life changes have Vietnam veterans in their 60s seeking treatment for
nightmares, flashbacks

By Colleen Mastony, Chicago Tribune reporter

November 11, 2013

Nearly four decades have passed since the end of the Vietnam War. Bill
Simon, a 65-year-old combat veteran, thought he had had long ago escaped the
nightmares and flashbacks that haunted him after his return home.

"For many years, I never had any issues," he said. He had all the trappings
of a successful life: a loving wife, three children and a house in Arlington
Heights. But about 10 years ago, the nightmares returned. Night after night,
they became more vivid and more bizarre.

"Regardless of whatever I start dreaming about, the dream always mutates
into some Vietnam incident," said Simon, a research specialist at a
petrochemical company. "They've gotten progressively worse. Right now, I
barely sleep."

Simon doesn't know what triggered the return of his nightmares. But experts
say his experience is not uncommon. As Vietnam veterans age, many discover
they have more time to contemplate their lives. The time for reflection - as
well as retirement, reunions with war buddies and the deaths of loved ones -
can stir memories from a long-ago war.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-late-onset-ptsd-2-20131111,0
,2912353.story