The 1000 Yard Stare
I posted a ghost story on music group tonight called “Camouflage”. The song is of no importance, the picture that goes with it is.
The lad in the picture has “the 1000 yard stare”.
That look comes from having seen more than these lads (and lasses these days) can cope with, so the brain goes into a sort of shutdown. They shut off. From everyone. From everything.
Sometimes they come back and are fine afterwards. They operate as they should. They function, but take them out of the combat zone and the problems start.
Sometimes it’s nightmares. Sometimes it’s violence against others or themselves.
I have seen that look on many occasions. I was told once that I had it myself.
I do not matter. The ones that do are the young ones coming back from various combat missions in distant places. They need help to get through what they have experienced and they need it now and perhaps forever, if they are to be able to function properly in society, but they are not getting it.
Not in UK. Not in USA as far as I can see.
Governments should not be allowed to just write off these people, so I ask that wherever you see or hear of them trying that you stand up and tell them that it’s not on.
They stood up for you to keep you safe. Now it’s your turn to stand up for them.
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I believe its called PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and many don’t know what to do for these people. I think it’s going to take a radical approach to help because drugs and psychoanalysis don’t touch it. I know people who are using alternative approaches to help them and the alternatives work better than conventional. It’s just that not many know to seek out alternatives.
I have seen that look also Waylander, yes it is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I have worked with many people with this and it takes a lot of time to reduce the impact of the events they have suffered through.
Our Vietnam Veterans in Australia were treated like criminals when they came home, in fact they were not allowed to march in the Anzac Day Parade for fifteen years. So that just compounded the problems they were trying so hard to deal with. They need support, they need empathy, they need acceptance before any traumatised person can even begin to look inside themselves to begin the first steps to any hope of recovery.
Glad you posted this blog, thanks.
1000 yard stare was coined on Pelieau Island in WWII by a writer from LIFE MAGAZINE. In WW1 it was called Shell shock. And now PTSD. When I watch the news and this week The Department of Veterans Affairs has been largely on this topic. When Bush increased the Military budget for Iraq and Afghanistan he deliberately lowered all aid to Military Personnel, hospitalized in the war . It takes up to 5 years for our soldiers to receive their benefits. The number of military waiting for their benefits is now numbered at 300.000.This is America’s problem that MUST be fixed. If not for our young people dying, If we can’t help them then what are we fighting for?
My friends son killed himself a year ago, he was suffering from PTSD, seemed he had everything to live for, newly married, his own house good job…….not so, he was 22, he had sought help, he was given tablets for depression……they are not the answer, the government are at long last acknowledging this is a real problem. Thousands of pounds have been raised in my village by my friend ,he is relentless in his pursuit of raising awareness and money to help the many thousands suffering……..it wont bring his son Lee back……but he feels it is the least he can do to keep Lees name alive .Lee, you would be so proud of your dad…..just as he was so very very proud of you.
Yes have seen it often way, we are lucky in our city we have some wonderful advocates for vets who do a fantastic job, we work in closely with them and will always stand up for better treatment for our vets just as they stood up for us, thank you xxx
sorry to hear they are not getting the help they need, after the trauma they have been through , its now right way, I agree whole heartedly, we do have a counselling service for Vets in All Australian capitol and Provincial Cities in Australia but post traumatic stress can take years to be guided through ,as A FORMER Counsellor, I have seen that look in people suffering from P.T.S.D..and it takes a long while to break through with treatment. in some cases it can never be aleviated, however with the correct help and perhaps the interest that you and others show, a petition could be written up and sent to the various authorities to make funding available for p.t.s.d. clinics to be opened for these young Vets, it only takes one Way, to get the ball rolling ,. Bless you for taking an interest.xxx.
It doesn’t take this long for our politicians to send our fathers, husbands, wives,sons and daughters to war – why does it take this long to help them when they return. As I have said before, our people who fight these wars that our politicians send them to deserve everything when they come back home, especially those suffering physical and mental disabilities. It is outrageous!!!!!
My son suffers from ptsd and it is not something that can be fixed “straight away” – it takes years.
My grandson is at present applying to go into the Army. I would sign a petition to this effect.
that’s why i’m so scared about my 19 yo g-son being in the army..he’s an engineer..he takes care of the big machines like diggers and cats..he’s not scared..he’s excited by the whole thing…i pray he never sees any part of a war…thanks for posting this,way
Thank you Way for your post. I have seen this too in some, too many, of the eyes of soldiers returned from war zones. It makes me cry from profound sadness, more importantly, it makes me sick to my stomach and filled with disgust that all around the world these people are forgotten about. Damn straight they fought for us, for our daily freedoms! God bless them all. And God bless us to do what is right by them, to insist that our governments do what it right, to stand up and be heard – especially for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Again, thank you Way. xx
Yes I have seen PTSD and these people should be helped not cast aside. They put their lives on the line for us and should get the care and respect that they truly deserve. Thank you Way for posting this x
I agree with you Way, and am glad you have brought this up, as not many people know how badly vets are treated.
As a war vet yourself Way, what would you like to see changed, and how would this affect you and others also still suffering?
It seems that the speed with which they get treatment has a lot to do with recovery or not.
The longer it goes untreated the harder it is to deal with. The deeper seated the problems.
So prompt availability of assistance is the main thing I think
If you need any help with a petition or something, just let us know. okay?