People in the military have many different types of combat
experiences. Many of these experiences could cause post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). Here are some combat experiences reported by 3,671 Army and
Marine Corps personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2003.
* Question not included in Afghanistan survey.
Source: Hoge CW, et al. (2004). Combat duty in Iraq and
Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care. New England Journal of Medicine, 351(1): 13–22.
The above combat experiences are traumatic events. PTSD can occur
after these types of events.
Experts think PTSD occurs:
- In about 30% of Vietnam veterans, or about 30 out
of 100 Vietnam veterans.1 A more recent review of
data seems to show that about 19%, or 19 out of 100 Vietnam veterans, have had
symptoms of PTSD.2
- In as many as 10% of
Gulf War (Desert Storm) veterans, or in about 10 veterans out of
100.3
- In about 6% to 11% of veterans of
the Afghanistan war (Enduring Freedom), or in 6 to 11 veterans out of
100.4
- In about 12% to 20% of veterans of
the Iraq war (Iraqi Freedom), or in 12 to 20 veterans out of 100.4
1. Kulka RA, et al. (1990). Evidence of post-traumatic stress
disorder. In Trauma and the Vietnam War Generation, pp.
50–71. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
2. Dohrenwend BP, et al. (2006). The psychological risks of
Vietnam for U.S. veterans: A revisit with new data and method. Science, 313(5789): 979–982.
3. Kang HK, et al. (2003). Post-traumatic stress disorder and
chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness among Gulf War veterans: A
population-based survey of 30,000 veterans. American Journal of Epidemiology, 157(2): 141–148.
4. Hoge CW, et al. (2004). Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan,
mental health problems, and barriers to care. New England Journal of Medicine, 351(1): 13–22.