Children of vets with PTSD have often been ignored in discussion of the issue. Some research has been conducted - mainly on children of Vietnam vets - that is probably applicable to children of combat vets of other wars. There are a number of mechanisms used by the children: over-identification with the PTSD affected parent; secondary traumatization; a rescuer role; depression and anxiety. These children are at greater risk for behavior, academic and interepersonal problems. Jennifer Price, Ph.D. has developed a fact sheet for the National Center for PTSD that explores some of these problems.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
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5 comments:
Legacy of War
Not enough reseach has been done in reference to a child growing up and only knowing a father with severe PTSD.
It was very frustrating for me to explain or try to explain about PTSD even to my own family.
So, in frustration, I wrote a book which I titled FACING THE WALL: A MISSION. It is my own story about living with a husband with PTSD.
It is a fact that if one member of the family suffers so do the rest. There is almost no information out about "How PTSD affects the Veteran's Children" thus no one believes it.
At times I just want to give up trying to explain my husband's PTSD and how it has affected our life. But, I know, in my heart I cannot do that. So, by writing my book,I hoped to reach one person at a time with the gift of understanding about PTSD ~ that is my mission.
Thanks for your post. I would like to read your book about living with your husband with PTSD. And you are correct; there is very little written about the effects on the children.
It's all training.
Grand daddy fought and survived.
Daddy fought and survived.
Boot camp teaches you to fight, it doesn't teach you to survive.
Your daddy does.
The only cure for "soldier's heart"
is to stop fighting.
But, that ain't gonna happen? Is it.
Nope, the cycle goes on. The fighting continues and the horror brought home from the war continues also. You only have to read the latest news about our newest generation of veterans - PTSD, suicides,etc. are all increasing dramatically.
Wars will never end, but with that said it is now time,for notjust promises but to actually have access for our veterans and their families to get all the help they need when their loved one return,, from war.
A family when there veteran returns, MUST have information given to them about especially ptsd to understand what might be happening to a individual when they return from their tour of duty. It was in 69 that my husband returned and it wasn't until 89 that his ptsd was confirmed. I feel that indeed there is more discussion now but still strongly feel there is much more to do~talk is cheap. "Til war and trauma end understanding must begin." A short quote I wrote in my book.
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