On Mon., Feb. 4, 2013, a top Army official is unveiling new PTSD research results following the shooting deaths of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield, who were allegedly killed at the hands of a Marine who may have suffered from the anxiety condition.
KOMO News says the Secretary of the Army is visiting Joint Base Lewis-McChord on Monday in order to show the troops that the government isn't trying to sweep this disorder under the rug. And his visit is meant to put many of those anxiety sufferers more at ease about the government's intention to do something to help them.
Complaints from Army soldiers alleging Madigan Army Medical Center doctors were changing their PTSD diagnoses to conditions that would be less expensive to treat prompted the investigation that has lead to the top Army official's visit this week.
And now the soldiers hope the results shared by the Secretary of the Army on Monday about what he learned in his investigation will lead to better mental health treatment options.
The recent death of former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle at the hands of a an alleged PTSD sufferer might help, too, proving that the war is coming to America if the military doesn't help returning soldiers manage this emotional challenge.
For his part, Chris Kyle sought to step in where the government is being accused of failing in the Lewis-McChord situation. Kyle and his FITCO Cares organization sought to help soldiers with physical fitness equipment so they could work off some of their stress, and he, along with Travis Cox, who co-founded the organization with him, mentored the men as well.
Part of that mentoring included shooting therapy, which is what some allege was taking place on Saturday when Eddie Routh is said to have shot the former Navy SEAL and his friend to death on the Rough Creek Lodge shooting range.
The suspect's mental health condition is not known for certain, but it has been stated by numerous news agencies that he may have had PTSD, with Erath County Sheriff Bryant stating that it was his understanding that the suspect may have been suffering from a mental illness or anxiety condition.
ABC News reports that 20 percent of soldiers who return from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. And Eddie Routh, the suspect, served in Iraq during his military career, as did Kyle, who served four tours of duty there.
The National Institute of Health states that veterans returning from war often have PTSD diagnoses. And now it appears the Secretary of the Army will confirm that as well on Monday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
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