Healing the mental scars of combat.

摘要

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was officially recognised by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980. In the USA, it had been known as post-Vietnam syndrome, broughtto public attention by activists, veterans, and films such as The Deerhunter (1978). Today, reports suggest that 10-15% of American soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan have the disorder. However, a recently released study of UK military personnel found rates of PTSD much lower than those of their American counterparts; in fact, prevalence was roughly in line with that of the general population. In September 2010, King's Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR; King's College London) published its report on the health of the country's armed forces over the past 15 years.