War Trauma

Sound Bite

A nationally-renowned authority on post-traumatic stress disorder reveals the psychiatric impact of war on soldiers and veterans, which is denied or minimized by government and the military. Through efforts to treat veterans of past conflicts he illustrates the inevitability of lifelong psychiatric scars from US engagement in Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflicts.

Dr. Scurfield discusses what the VA can (but rarely does) do for veterans with PTSD and describes his own work with military personnel and veterans in handling the depression, risk of suicide, and other symptoms of PTSD that so often derive from the trauma of military service in both combat and noncombat positions.

About the Book

War Trauma draws on the experience of prior wars for valuable insights to help people who are now in the military or in the healing professions, and their families and communities, to deal with today's realities of combat and its aftermath which so often entails PTSD (post-traumatic stresss syndrome), depression, and the risk of suicide.

This is Part 3 in A Vietnam Trilogy, which studies the psychiatric impact of war on soldiers and veterans, and their families. The effects go on for decades after the violence occurred, and we are still just learning to understand the depth and variety of problems it can cause. Further, Scurfield documents his proven innovative therapies for treating PTSD.

This third volume looks at what military and mental health professionals and the Veterans Administration (VA) should have learned from the Vietnam War in order to better protect American servicemen and servicewomen in later conflicts and to help them recover afterwards. The Persian Gulf War, for instance, had an immense impact on veterans of all wars.

The author was a national faculty member for joint VA-DOD training programs to enhance mental health response readiness for receiving anticipated medical and psychiatric casualties from the Persian Gulf War. What he found was a resurgence of selective amnesia and denial about the true impact of war.Scurfield notes, "Chillingly, what happened in Vietnam in 1968-69 regarding psychiatric casualties has enormous parallels to what is happening today regarding US psychiatric casualties from the Iraq War."

A VIETNAM TRILOGY

The series consists of three volumes.

The first volume (Algora 2004), A Vietnam Trilogy. Veterans and Post-Traumatic Stress, 1968, 1989 and 2000, describes the healing processes of hundreds of veterans from Vietnam and earlier wars up until 1990, when the author co-led a group of veterans on a therapeutic trip back to Vietnam to "face their demons."

Healing Journeys, the second volume, continues from 1990 to 2000 (including a discussion of the impact of the first Gulf War on veterans of earlier wars) and a second return trip to Vietnam in 2000, as part of a university Study Abroad program, to help veterans in their healing process. The current (third) volume uses the experience of veterans of earlier wars to help US service-members and their families and communities, and those in the healing professions, to address the mental health problems caused by combat and its aftermath.

Introduction

War Trauma: Lessons Unlearned, From Vietnam to Iraq exposes the lasting psychological scars inflicted on those who experience war, advocating for better awareness and care for veterans, active-duty personnel, their families, and the communities that support them. This volume concludes the powerful A Vietnam Trilogy, an essential, compassionate examination of the psychiatric wounds of war—the enduring mental health challenges faced by soldiers and veterans, often neglected or dismissed by governments and military institutions.

Understanding the Psychiatric Impact of War:
Drawing from extensive experience as a renowned authority on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Raymond Monsour Scurfield explores the often-hidden mental health consequences of war. Through first-hand accounts and case studies, he details how trauma from combat leaves deep, lasting effects on soldiers and veterans, extending far beyond the battlefield.
Many veterans find themselves fighting a different war upon returning home, one marked by inner battles against PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions. Scurfield’s insights show that the trauma of war cannot simply be left behind, but instead requires significant, ongoing mental health support and community understanding.

Lessons from the Vietnam War:
In this volume, Scurfield draws essential parallels between the experiences of Vietnam veterans and those from more recent conflicts like Iraq. He underscores the missed lessons from the Vietnam War, illustrating how an era marred by selective amnesia and denial within military and governmental frameworks led to devastating consequences for later veterans as well.

Lifelong Impact on Veterans and Families:
Scurfield’s compassionate approach goes beyond examining the individual trauma of veterans, expanding to the profound impact these scars have on families and communities. He acknowledges how PTSD reverberates through relationships, affecting spouses, children, and close family members, who bear witness to the veterans’ suffering.
Scurfield calls for greater community involvement and supportive networks to help veterans and their families manage the aftereffects of war. His book is a plea for a more integrated approach to mental health care that includes familial and communal support systems as essential parts of the healing process.

Proven Therapies for Healing Trauma:
In addition to his critique of systemic failings, Scurfield offers hope by detailing innovative and effective therapies for PTSD. His clinical experience and work with joint VA-DOD programs have helped shape methods for treating combat trauma, many of which he describes in the book. Scurfield highlights treatments like exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral techniques, which have shown success in helping veterans confront and process their traumatic memories. By sharing these methods, he aims to guide mental health professionals in addressing the unique needs of veterans, especially as they encounter new and evolving challenges in treatment.

The Continuing Relevance of Combat Trauma:
Reflecting on the past while addressing current conflicts, War Trauma underscores the urgency of recognizing war’s psychological toll. Scurfield calls for systemic change in how governments and military institutions address PTSD and mental health, advocating for a proactive rather than reactive approach to veteran care. For those in the military, mental health fields, or supportive professions, this series serves as a call to action. It pushes readers to recognize the importance of early, comprehensive mental health interventions to prevent decades of suffering. Scurfield’s work advocates for empathy and understanding, urging society to support veterans not only as they return but throughout their lives, ensuring they receive the care and acknowledgment they deserve.