The Things They Carried- extended journal

I decided to research Post Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Vietnam War Veterans. I thought it was interesting because it held so much prevalence for the returning men. When I was reading through some of the symptoms, I noticed that many were related to Norman Bowker's feelings as he drove around the lake so many times...


Fifty-eight thousand, one hundred and sixty-nine American deaths arose during the years of the Vietnam War. This is a statistical number relating to the war. One thing that cannot be measured with a numerical value, however, is the psychological effects on the survivors. In 1980, specifically after the Vietnam War, the Psychological Association developed the category of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a diagnosis for veterans. This is because the war had resulted in the highest percentage of cases. In general, the most common group to suffer from this turmoil is the combat veterans. PTSD is a disorder that follows an event that held a high amount of stress; an inevitable factor when considering what the men had gone through.

The Vietnam War was different than many of the other wars. On average, the men fighting in Vietnam were seven years younger than those of WWII. There was much more inexperience and less strategy. The object evidently was to kill as many men from the opposing side as possible. The men did not work in groups, unlike WWII. They fought with a more individual basis. Young boys, some coming right out of high school, are not raised to kill, nor are any men of any age. Even upon returning home, there was a very short transition time. Normally they would be sent quickly back to the states, alone, with no time to even process what happened. When they did return, many did not find the relief of pride and respect. Because the war was quite unpopular among citizens, many of the veterans were spat on or considered enemies. The United States may have held out their hand to accept their returning soldiers, but it was a cold and bitter hand.

To prevent the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, one must be allowed the chance to talk out their situation and receive understanding. The most significant source of the disorder is that the veterans are not capable of incorporating the incidents into their day-to-day life. It is difficult to transfer quickly into such a different routine; it becomes hard to relate to anyone. Commonly the veteran will feel as if the past experiences of the war are occurring in the present. They become overwhelmed with anxiety; sometimes this anxiety is to the degree it was when the event was actually occurring. They see images of their trauma that seem to be real. Combat veterans will tend to have nightmares and be startled easily. So much stress and lack of sleep also lead to depression. A normal life cannot be pursued until the man can put the past behind him and concentrate on his “new” life.

As time goes on, a person with PTSD will become emotionless and unresponsive. Sometimes there will be sudden outbursts of aggression. Many of the men also experience the feeling of guilt. So many deaths occurred and a large number of men watched a close friend die. It is expected that some are going to take the burden of blame onto themselves. This adds to the emotional trauma after the war ended. Because of so many mixed emotions, drugs and alcohol became a friendly-looking solution. A number of men entered the world of toxicities to try and forget their shady pasts.

Vietnam was the longest war, it was one of the most controversial wars for the United States, and almost sixty thousand men lost their lives. Unfortunately there isn’t even the closure of a successful outcome. There is no clear “winner” for the war, and no consolation to the many men that returned with their lives. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a likely occurrence for anyone who has been through a particularly stressful time. Those involved in combats in the Vietnam War are the best examples of that statement.