« previous | TPM CAFÉ READER POSTS HOME | next »
Why aren't we talking about Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome?
I know a Vietnam vet who saw some of the worst that war had to offer. He's a good man, funny and kind. And as he'll tell you, he is totally unqualified to become President of the United States. He's a victim of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome, a horrific mental illness that can occur in people who have undergone traumatic events. The time has come to ask a very serious question: Does John McCain suffer from PTSS?
It's a fair question. Studies suggest that as many as nine out of ten POWs suffer from PTSS. McCain was beaten and tortured for years (far longer than the average of 28-months in the study that gives us the 90% result).
While only an open record of McCain's mental health history and military records can answer the question for sure, the best we can do now is take a look at the symptoms of the disease and how they relate to McCain. Symptoms include:
"chronic physical signs of hyperarousal,
including sleep problems, trouble concentrating, irritability, anger, poor
concentration, blackouts or difficulty remembering things, increased tendency
and reaction to being startled, and hypervigilance to threat."
Considering that nine out of ten POWs suffer from PTSS, and given how many of its symptoms fit McCain, why isn't this a part of the discussion about his fitness to be president?
Comments (3)
We should be talking about PTSS, but not in context of McCain's fitness to be president. For one it would play into the hands of the GOP and renew the power of the overplayed POW card. But, I think it's fair to say that after 26 years in the House and Senate PTSS is not an issue. We've got plenty to hit him on without it.
August 26, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're right, we really should talk about the issue! There are a lot of soldiers coming home that need support - and many aren't getting it.
If anything it should be addressed: "When McCain came home, he got the support he needed to excel in civilian life - why doesn't he want to extend the same support to today's soldiers?"
August 26, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have been asking this question over and over again in any forum I encounter. Why is no one raising this question in the press? It might be legitimate to avoid the topic out of courtesy if it weren't for the peculiar powers of the presidency that are at stake here. It is a truly frightening thought that the next president might be someone who almost certainly suffered (suffers?) from PTSS, and because of his advanced age is a candidate for dementia. This does not sound like someone we want to get that infamous 3:00AM phone call!
At the very least, it might be reassuring to know that he has at least been treated for PTSS and isn't some sort of undetected time-bomb waiting to go off. How can we get this issue raised in the media?
August 26, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Post a Comment