Army Veteran's Guilt Over Surviving Iraq Is a Wound That Won't Heal

SSG Norman Lihou — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 21:02:42 -0500

It's a common feeling in people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder: survivor's guilt.

The phenomenon has been studied most in Holocaust survivors, many of whom spent the rest of their lives in its grip.

The guilt can be rational -- lives could have been saved with the proper action -- but usually it is a subconscious response to the whims of fate. It also can be seen as a form of mourning for the dead.

"To drop the guilt, to drop the grief, is to kill them a second time," said Dr. Jonathan Shay, a psychiatrist and war trauma expert.

Read more:
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/02/27/army-veterans-guilt-over-surviving-iraq-is-wound-that-wont-heal.html

Survivor's guilt and PTSD tear one soldier apart after his convoy was ambushed in Iraq.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2015 9:15 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 21:15:19 -0500

What a powerful report, SSG Norman Lihou. Thank you for sharing it. It highlighted two things for me: (1) PTSD is a very serious issue that alters people's perception of reality and their lives. I know that, but this report seemed to narrate the fact in a powerful way. And (2) while survivor's guilt may be rational, it may also be completely irrational, and that's when it edges into potential mental illness, or at least unhealthy thoughts about what happened. Reyes' "memories" (in the article) were completely out of touch with reality. Very sad.

I think this also shows that we may be tough, but there's a limit, and asking for/requiring help is nothing to be ashamed of.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 27 at 2015 3:58 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:58:02 -0400

This is one of a variety of injuries to the psyche and moral center of the human. That's why it's so vital that DOD stop pretending PTSD does not exist. If the military would confront it instead of ignoring it, things could be resolved much more quickly, at much lower cost to people, time, budgets, readiness, etc...

For folks who are suffering, I hope you're getting help.

If you are thinking of harming yourself, [login to see] option 1 is the VA Crisis Line. All vets who are suffering need to keep this number handy.

If you aren't able to get the help you need, or don't want an official record of your treatment, contact the Soldier's Project - http://www.thesoldiersproject.org - we provide free counseling to Post 9/11 vets who are suffering...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 27 at 2015 4:26 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 16:26:57 -0400

Guilt is an anchor that drags you down, it is better to cut the chain, but how is the question. I went to therapy for a year with a SGT and he never improved. He could not get rid of the guilt of seeing an Iraqi lade cut in half by a SAW. I feel bad for him.