Mental Effects Of The Vietnam War

Throughout recent history, the United States has been regarded as one of the largest superpowers the world has ever known. They have always been dominant in war, except for one which left a foul taste in the mouth for all citizens; this was the Vietnam War, one of the most controversial wars the U.S ever participated in. Not only was it an incredible defeat, it additionally was seen as having the worst aftermath of any war fought by the United States previously. A large sum of the combatants in the Vietnam War suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD), which plagues veterans to this day from this war, as well as several others. Following the horrific events of the Vietnam War, countless cases of PTSD showed up. Roughly 10 percent(Vermetten, Eric) of all American combatants that participated in the Vietnam War suffered or
As the Vietnam War was fought from the mid 1950s until the mid 1970s, it was the beginning of an integrated American army, and what worse than to fight a war while one's brain is developing? Returning home only to be placed under even heavier neglect than one's peers based upon existing racial tensions. Non-white soldiers show more grave signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, as seen. In Leslie Roberts article “Study Raises Estimate of Vietnam War Stress”, the author states that these people showed larger signs of PTSD than other combatants such as whites in the Vietnam War. It is believed due to the race relations in America at the time, these groups were treated very poorly, and suffered more traumatic events while overseas. Approximately 17% of African-American Vietnam veterans suffer from PTSD, while the Latino’s rate is even higher at 27% (Roberts, Leslie). Upon returning home, these groups were the least compensated by the American Government, were further outcasted by society, and deemed as