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I think this is a great idea - it makes sense, especially because I think that PTSD as a result of military service is in its own category.

posted 3 years, 5 months ago
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As a sexual abuse survivor, PTSD is a regular part of my life and clearly an emotional issue for me. It's a consistent frustration in my life to feel powerless to explain just how all-consuming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is, and how overwhelming the feelings and sensory symptoms are.

It's clear to me that Mr. Bratcher's PTSD has gone untreated - my experience is that PTSD is a manageable condition, IF the trauma survivor has access to professional counseling and resources. Hopefully Mr. Bratcher will find the help he needs now that he will at least have access to psychiatric professionals.

Whether or not Jessie Bratcher's condition was "by choice" regarding his service in the military is an issue I believe to be irrelevant. I think soldiers who have fought for our freedoms overseas would rather you just said thank you, offering them treatment instead of criticism for the consequences of their service.

Perhaps this wouldn't have happened at all if we took mental illness seriously, providing professional services for our military especially, instead of pretending like it shouldn't have any effect...until something terrible like this happens.

posted 3 years, 5 months ago
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