PTSD Is Main Cause of Vets’ Symptoms, Not Brain Injury

Washington (dbTechno) – A new military study has been released which shows that soldiers who suffered concussions in Iraq were at higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress, depression, as well as physical issues. This goes against the past belief that the symptoms of Iraq war veterans was due to brain injury.

The study was published on Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

It disputes past ideas that physical conditions of military veterans were caused by head injuries, stating that it is the post-traumatic stress and depression which causes the ongoing problems.

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research surveyed over 2,500 soldiers.

5% of these soldiers stated that they had concussions. 40% of these veterans were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Researchers found that the symptoms and health conditions which they thought would be from brain injuries, actually started more from concussions and lead to post-traumatic stress.

In the study 15% of soldiers reported mild brain injury. These soldiers were far more likely to report health problems after coming home.

The big picture and point here is that the authors of the report want soldiers to know that PTSD and depression may be a major problem for their symptoms when they return home, and that it is not always brain injury. It can be altered and cured.

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