Fort Hood Shootings

[cynelena]

For anyone not in the US (and those that have not watched the news yet) a horrible tragedy has happened today at the biggest Army Post in the US. Apparently 3 soldiers opened fire and killed 12 people and wounded 30+ more.

I am posting this because as I have been sitting here for the past half hour watching the live broadcast, all I can think of is how I'm going to keep Dean from watching the news....this is going to trigger him as I'm sure it will trigger many of those out there with Combat PTSD.

It is reported that the facility that the 3 opened fire in was full of soldiers completing the last of their paperwork in preparation to be shipped out to Afghanistan and Iraq.

My thoughts, my heart, & my prayers go out to all of those affected by this today. I also pray for our Sufferers that may be triggered by this news today.

Cynthia

 

[ISupportHer]

Cynthia,

I have been at work but seen the story unfold on the computer.

These are such terrible tragedies! It is hard for me, or probably most of us, to comprehend the rage that would bring someone to do this!

I agree with you that some sufferers will have some difficulty with this! I too, will keep the victims and their families as well as the sufferers who struggle with this.

I wish you the best with Dean.

ISH

 

[Deleted member 541]

I think what gets me the most, is the shooter....He was a Major, and a mental health Dr, working/treating the troops with combat stress.....Quite possibly he needed help, before this tragedy hit.....

Sad, just extremely sad.....My prayers go to the families, those wounded/dead, and for those here that this may trigger...

 

[CCurry]

Hi Cynthia,

It's funny that you should put this thread up as I was thinking the same about my OH and am hoping this will not trigger him.

C

 

[NarcSis]

I think what is most tragic about this is that if the Major needed help himself, he was not able to recognize it. I have tried not to watch it but I find myself being constantly drawn back to seek out the updates on this situation. I find I'm shaking each time that I do and on the verge of tears - god I hate PTSD.

My heart goes out to everyone who is directly and indirectly affected by this tragedy.

 

[anthony]

Bet he wished he was dead now... considering he survived and is stable. DOH!!! I reckon he will keep trying to kill himself now...

 

[Grama-Herc]

I know this may anger some people but this could possibly be a blessing in disguise.

This tragedy HAS BROUGHT combat stress/ptsd to the forefront. This morning all the news is speaking of this and the words ptsd/combat stress
are everywhere.

Maybe NOW more will be done with regard to our condition. People will actually discover that it does exist and that we do have a legit condition.

I pray for the families of the victims and the soldiers we lost

 

[CCurry]

I know this may anger some people but this could possibly be a blessing in disguise.

This tragedy HAS BROUGHT combat stress/ptsd to the forefront. This morning all the news is speaking of this and the words ptsd/combat stress
are everywhere.

Maybe NOW more will be done with regard to our condition. People will actually discover that it does exist and that we do have a legit condition.

I pray for the families of the victims and the soldiers we lost

The only solace is that it will bring some awareness to the public (at least until the next big story breaks) and then they'll forget again.

For the time being though at least my friends will understand the real threat that my D poses by living at home with us until he's stabilized!

They just don't get it and in fact nobody does! Okay, except for you guys.

C.

 

[ISupportHer]

Yes, have had a similar discussion. That this tragedy is a very dark cloud but slight silver lining as far as an increased awareness of PTSD. Depression also.

Was floored when I heard the shooter is alive this morning after so many reports that he died at the scene. I certainly have mixed feelings about that right now.

 

[anni]

I know PTSD affects people in various ways. I do know that even though my sense of compassion is heightened I'm having a terrible time viewing this man as anything but a monster. The lives he's affected- the lovely families-mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and children who are now in such pain due to his actions-it hurts thinking about them and I am praying for them. In light of this chaos I am having a genuinely dreadful time being able to humanize the shooter long enough to acknowledge that of course he must have been mentally ill.What he's done beyond destroying lives directly is create any number of PTSD afflicted human beings- people who until yesterday had a far different future. And of course now 13 people with no future at all. I'm just plain stinking angry with him.

But at least yes, it does throw public attention on PTSD. That's so needed. I'm sure we'll hear the term in the public discussions in the weeks ahead as our nation tries to heal from one more tragedy.Who knows whether it will affect funding,

Right now I'm so sad for the victims and just plain stinking mad.

Sorry.
Anni

 

[2quilt]

I hope that the major news magazines do front page stories on PTSD, that all university psych classes hold lectures on this subject and that people can talk openly about this more. The more we discuss it, everyone, the less of a stigma mental illness and the effects of war and traumas in general, will have. Don't keep trauma and PTSD in the dark!

After 9-11, many Muslims, dark-skinned people who maybe could be from the Middle East and even Sikhs were the target of violence and discrimination. I sincerely hope that does not repeat itslef now. I heard on the news that the Ft. Hood shooter was tormented by nasty comments and slurs against his heritage and religion. Even mental health professionals can get pushed over the edge by the stress of bullying and the fear of war. Please be kind to Middle Eastern people. You can't always tell their politics by their clothing.

I can tell you that when I went to Europe on 2003, when the Iraq war began, local people were unkind to me because I wore white tennis shoes (the sure sign of an American). One restaurant in Bern, Switzerland refused to let us sit down to eat because we are American. I didn't know how to tell them in German that, "Hell, folks, we hate Bush more than you all do; we have to LIVE there!" We felt alot of discrimination simply because we look American. But nobody knew just by looking at us that we are so Democrat and anti-Bush that we thought about being political refugees because Bush was such an embarrassment, a war criminal, a smug liar, and an idiot.

But I digress.

Just be aware that American Muslims are aware of others' opinions of them today. And fear of what you don't understand can escalate.

 

[ISupportHer]

That is a very important point 2quilt!

We here do not want to be judged OR do we judge one another! Neither should anyone of any minority or ethnic group.

I am a little off topic but wanted to say that.