There's a P, and it stands for...

I just saw another in an endless series of preproduced segments on the human cost of the current war. All of the stats and injuries and fatalities and complications are generally well presented. This is not the problem...except:

Over and over again, reporters, producers, journalists, and yes, even psychologists will say something like: "The prevalence of Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is on the rise. However, many of these cases are going unreported or unacknowledged. Many individuals don't report their symptoms until months or even years after they have returned from combat."

(Note: the quote above is made up. I just hear stuff like that constantly.)

So, my point? The problem? The P stands for POST. As in, later. Like, not right now. A cardinal feature of the disorder, aside from the flashbacks and unrelenting, tormenting anxiety and panic that ensues, is the fact that the syndrome does not become apparent until later.

It's not Traumatic Stress Disorder. It's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. There's a P.

Please, pass the word. Someone that comes home and seems fine, IS actually fine for the time being. And if they develop symptoms later, it's not because they didn't want to report the symptoms. It's because they weren't there, and now they are.

And of course PTSD can happen pretty quickly. But the P is there for a reason, because it's generally later.