Identifying Military Members With Brain Injuries, PTSD Difficult For Doctors

A doctor discussed the complications associated with brain injuries in military members on Tuesday.

Dr. Elizabeth Jackson has worked with veterans for nearly 30 years, 10TV’s AJ Smith reported.

Jackson said that finding those who suffer from either Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or traumatic brain injury can be difficult.

“PTSD stats are shocking,” Jackson said. “They’re really kind of disturbing.”

Jackson said that while 10 to 20 percent of the general population may experience PTSD, the number is around 40 to 60 percent for active military members.

Traumatic brain injury, which can be caused by explosions, can cause similar symptoms such as headaches, memory problems and irritability.

“Many times mild brain injury can exacerbate or make worse a bad feature of a person,” Clinical Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Dr. Jeffrey Madden said. “For example if they have a temper or they tend to be more impulsive.”

Men and women who return from war can refuse screenings for PTSD and traumatic brain injury, Smith reported.

“We do (offer screening) again down the road,” Jackson said. “They are 30, 60, 90 day and, I think, six month events so that if you didn't hear it the first time, hopefully you'll hear it the second, the third or fourth time.”

Anyone who shows signs of PTSD or traumatic brain injury is encouraged to seek help immediately.

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