American Hero; Pfc. Joseph Dwyer and PTSD

Army Pfc. Dwyer was found dead in his North Carolina home, apparently of an overdose. He gained the attention of the world through a photograph of him carrying an injured Iraqi boy to safety amidst the flying bullets of a firefight. The image, taken in March of 2003 by Warren Zinn of the Army Times, was very poignant. A man risking his own life for an unknown innocent. A shining example of American heroism. It reminded me of police and firefighters. One thing we seem to forget is under that tough exterior, in Dwyer's case, covered in body armor, was a man with emotions and feelings. Soldiers, like there brethren police and firefighters, sometimes have difficulty adjusting to the reality of normal life. Alcohol and drug abuse, divorce, bizarre behavior and sometimes, as in Dwyer's case suicide. These are all symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

War Hero

Dwyer, as noted above was photographed running with an Iraqi boy. This photograph, taken March 25, 2003, was published in newspapers and magazines worldwide. Joseph Dwyer had joined the military two days after the September 11^th attacks. In the Iraqi invasion, he served as a medic, tough duty for tough men. Not only does the medic carry a gun, he also treats the wounds of his buddies, civilians and even enemy combatants. The medic will see and deal with things any person should never have to see.

Real World

When Joseph Dwyer came home, his stress problems surfaced. Friends said there substance abuse and depression. Divorce. A sense of hyper vigilance. He was always on guard for Iraqis advancing on him. Uncomfortable in crowded places. Legal troubles followed him. My friend, a Navy medic who was awarded the Bronze Star, has had these same problems. Always looking for the enemy. My buddy told me he can't drive down a street without scanning the rooftops for the enemy. He has problems eating in a restaurant or being in any enclosed space. The least little noise or visual can trigger moments of terror, panic or hyper alertness. Firefighters and police officers have these same problems. Always waiting for the next problem to solve, not being able to shut it down.

Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome

Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome or PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can affect anyone that has been through a traumatic event. These events can include:

· War

· Natural disaster

· Severe accident

· Rape

· Violent assault

· Physical or sexual abuse

PTSD can affect those personally involved in the event, those who witness the event and even those, such as police and firefighters, who respond to the event. It is estimated that 1 in 8 returning veterans from Iraq will suffer from symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Only about half of these will seek treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

Joseph Dwyer, according to friends, newspaper accounts and police reports were showing signs of Post traumatic Stress disorder. Actions such as substance abuse, crashing his car because he saw a box in the road and being involved in a police standoff were major signs of PTSD. Sometimes the signs are a little more subtle. Here is a list of signs. Keep in mind this list is not all inclusive or should it be used to diagnose yourself or a loved one. It is only to help recognize and hopefully point the individual in the right direction, seeking professional help:

· Reliving the traumatic event

· Shame or guilt over the event

· Nightmares about the event

· An attempt to not talk about the event

· Irritability or anger

· Feeling emotionally numb

· Self destructive behavior such as substance abuse

· Poor relationships

· Being easily startled or frightened

Seeking Help

It is difficult for men such as Dwyer to seek help for PTSD. Combat veterans, like their counterparts in the emergency services are supposed to be tough guys. Usually the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are way out of hand before help is sought. Unfortunately, like Dwyer, A lot of people do not seek help on their own. It is usually through the intervention of family, friends, the legal or medical system that help is brought to those who suffer from this malady. It sometimes takes the loss of a family, job or legal problems before the person who suffers from PTSD sees for themselves that they need help. Sometimes, as in the case of Pfc. Joseph Dwyer, the help comes too late.

Here are some helpful links for more information on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:

· United States Department of Veterans Affairs

· National Institute of Mental Health

· Viet Nam Veterans of America

· The Dart Foundation

· PTSD Forum