Chris Kyle dead.

[BjornF16]

What do you trust? At some point you have to say, this will most likely work, and we have to try it.

OK, I'm going to give you a case:

Lets say you have a soldier or Marine, recently discharged. Beautiful new wife, well set up 25 year old who got out 18 months ago after 2 tours in Afghanistan.

He was diagnosed with PTSD before discharge, after having multiple TBI's (Traumatic Brain Injuries for the uninitiated) secondary to multiple IED explosions in close proximity, (One IED where his vehicle was destroyed and two buddies killed, another a week later where an airstrike dropped 200 yards short of the designated grid, within 15 yards of his patrol.) He had other IED's go off in close proximity, but those two blasts were within a week of each other.

He doesn't feel like he has PTSD, but he admits he can't sleep at night consistently, has severe headaches and has horrible, indescribable dreams. His wife is a gem, and she says he has never once been threatening, nor has she ever felt he was threatening. He says he doesn't want to hurt himself of anyone he knows. He served as a Marine, followed orders and did his best to be a good Marine. Talking with him is really a pleasure.

But he is obviously disturbed by the sleep issues, headaches, and dreams. Most of his problem is probably TBI induced, and you can't yet make a PTSD diagnosis, though the military and VA system is convinced he has PTSD. They put him on meds, which didn't help with his sleep or headaches and didn't stop the dreams. He was released from care without any meds, which is fine, because it makes the job of evaluation easier, you don't have to worry about the meds complicating your evaluation.

IF the military, with literally THOUSANDS of veterans with the diagnosis can't figure out this PTSD and mental health issue, with essentially unlimited funds compared to the rest of health care, why would anyone else have a remote chance?

Meds aren't THE answer, the answer is way more complicated than a pill. But the meds aren't the issue, either. Just like guns don't kill people, meds don't either. The pathology has to be there to even consider starting someone on meds. Our theoretical soldier/Marine above doesn't have that pathology, at least from what is stated above. BUT....what if he did? Are you willing to do nothing, knowing that there may very well be a time bomb ticking?

Are you "yelling" with boldface?...LOL.

Mea culpa on the 100% comment...you didn't say it, but I inferred it.

I'm a hopeless case...I believe drugs can be mind altering and behavior modifying (for good and bad). Maybe some of these folks are inclined to anti-social behaviors, but I firmly believe that the meds can be pushing them over the edge. I have no proof that is so...no one has any proof it isn't so.

Every case is different. I realize the challenge is to determine which are ticking time bombs.

For a lot of personal reasons, my opinion of doctors in general isn't very high. I know there are some really good doctors out there, but I find that the doctors who REALLY care seem to be far fewer than in years past. American doctors (IMO) tend to be pill pushers instead of good old fashioned docs. Not trying to insult anyone...just my personal opinion based upon my family's personal experiences. (BTW, one of my brother's is an ENT doc...while I respect his professional opinions, I in no way subscribe to all of his professional opinions).