The Battle Continues When Soldiers Return from Iraq Essay

The Battle Continues When Soldiers Return from Iraq Even though Jimmy Massey, a former U.S. solider in Iraq, was pulled out of the war almost two years ago, it remains at the center of his life. On May 15, 2003 Massey was flown back stateside and though he lives a life without bullets and tanks, he now fights off terrible nightmares, constant anxiety, and bouts of depression. Massey, 34, was a marine for almost 12 years before he was deployed to Iraq during the initial U.S. invasion. There he witnessed the shooting of more than 30 innocent civilians and his thoughts of war transformed forever. Massey was honorably discharged from the military with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and suffered major depression. Despite being†¦show more content†¦These symptoms affect people’s everyday life, from fighting with their spouses to going ballistic at a 4th of July Fireworks celebration. Once Massey eventually got his foot in the door of the VA Hospital he discovered the treatment was extremely beneficial and necessary to his mental health. Massey was treated with individual therapy and medication at the hospital. His wife said that he will be starting a new treatment at the end of April, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, which is a therapy involving swift eye movement that supposedly weakens one’s negative memories. The Masseys have made no attempt to keep their situation a secret. Jackie Massey is the leader of Military Families Speak Out (MFSO), a political organization that is the voice of military families who oppose the war. The Massey’s recently left for a month long speaking tour of the East Coast. The number of veterans seeking mental health treatment is dwindling and the Massey’s hope their story will encourage more returning soldiers to get help. In 2004, a study in The New England Journal of Medicine explored the mental health issues of soldiers before they were sent to Iraq or Afghanistan and within three to four months of their return. The study found that 17% of soldiers met the criteria for mental health disorders and were in need of treatment,Show MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Stress On People On The Front Line966 Words   |  4 Pagesstress on people on the front line. Combatant soldiers endure extreme stress while on the battle field and even after returning home. Chronic stress under such environments ultimately results in disastrous changes in those who participate in war. As a soldier sent home from Iraq says, these people have seen â€Å"humanity at its worst† (Alpert et al. 2010). 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