John McCain dodges questions about PTSD

[fallingstarish]

John Mccain didn't do alot less. He just chose to get roughed up a few times. Soldiers in Afghanistan are getting shot and having their bodys blown apart. He just had his arms broken and beaten up a couple of times.

[Johnnybadboy2ify]

@fallingstarish vietnam makes afghanistan look like childs play. i served during the original gulf war, my uncle is a vietnam veteran. 60,000 young men died during vietnam. less then 1,700 died in afghanistan. during the height 410 boys were killed a WEEK, it is no comparison. I remember coming returning home in uniform to Philly and having a lady thank me for my service, I just nodded my head and teared a bit thinking about how much a simple thank you wouldve meant to the Vietnam Veterans.

[SugarTomAppleRoger]

McCain was special. The enemy treated him with kid gloves. His father and grandfather were big fish. Men like McCain would not allow PTSD anyway. He is like Patton in this respect.

[7514328]

Served from 1986 to 1994 in the Marines. I had not realized my PTSD condition until 2009 after being admitted to the Mental hospital for two weeks. I "crashed". Two Psychiatrists diagnosed me with PTSD. I had been running on adrenaline ever since my service time. Stopped by police 6 times. Emotional numbness. Hypervigilance. Always being on alert......I lost my 12 year job as a result. Just can't fight it anymore. Now I have to fight this va and beaurocracy. But, I will.

[8810604]

i'm the guy asking the questions in the video. how are you doing with your claim? is it combat related? probably the first thing you learned is that you lost 15 years of benefits because you didnt know that was what was screwing up your life, or tried to handle it yourself. i lost 30 years because i didnt know that not feeling anything, emotionally dead, wasa disease. i thought the rest of it was ADD, which runs in my family. i have been dealing with the VA for 9 years. if you need any help?

[7514328]

You are right. For 15 years I did not know that this was screwing up my life. I just block it out and changed gears. Eventually, it got me me. Not combat related. Related to hypervigilance and constant barrage of stress while on Embassy Duty in Nicaragua. Always been "on alert" for suicide bombers or civilian that may attack. Sparodic gun fire at night. Once a bullet came through the Post one ceiling.Still feel like some sort of major life threatening event will happen.Emotionally numb or alert.

[8810604]

@7514328 How are you doing with your claim? After the 60 mins piece on the VA I realized you have to submit a claim like you are talking to a 5th grader. Make it so obvious they can find it and understand it in 5 mins. Use highlighters, color codes, etc. Dont hit them with long letters and lots of doctors notes, they will just ship it off to an assessment doctor who will never get you past 50%.

[fallingstarish]

@8810604 He was a shitty pilot too.

[Johnnybadboy2ify]

@fallingstarish the amount of guys who died a week in Vietnam is the same amount who die in a year or more in Afghanistan. Put it together kid. 130,000 serious wounds in Vietnam. over 10,000 lost limbs

[7514328]

The Doctors say my PTSD stem from the Marines. After the Marines I got out and chased shoplifters for 3 years. Than worked for Customs for 12 years catching drug, money and gun smugglers. After transfer to a small Port I felt mentally sick and tired. Felt dazed, numb, detached and withdrawn from everything. Stopped and questioned by police 6 different times. Could not be me. Gotta go, go, go...or deal with emotional deadness and not feeling anything. Doctors saved my life and diagnosed me.

[7514328]

I woke up and realized I am not a Marine anymore. That it is difficult to not be "on alert" or hypervigilant. When I try to let it go I become so depressed, empty, detached and emotionally dead. I feel ashamed for not engaging in combat and yet having to deal with THIS thing. My brothers in arms who have engaged in combat deserve the ratings.

[8810604]

i feel the same things; i was security police or combat police in vietnam. you said you couldnt work; are you rated 100% disabled, what is your status?

[7514328]

30% service connected. 10% left knee. 10% right knee. 10% back. 0% left shoulder. My knees and back have worsened. C and P exam on the 7th for the knees and back as they have worsened.

[7514328]

The Doctors (psychiatrists) wrote a 2 page narrative to the VA regarding my PTSD. The severity has progressed where I am now unable to sustain any sort of gainful employment. Should I send this to the Social security administration as well? This Doctors Narrative?

[8810604]

never take their first finding. if you cant work you should be 100% just for ptsd. you'll wind up being 130%. go back and put in for another exam. they always start with 30% no matter what. keep going back still you get what you deserve.

[7514328]

Will this help me for applying for Social Security Disability, too? I know I have the diagnoses by the doctors, but the VA is going to want the stressor. This is difficult since my exposures occured back in 1989 and 1992. I have forwarded the Doctors findings to Social Security. Currently on 6 medications and seeing Mental health. The Veteran Outreach Center will be calling me today where I can get more mental health help.

[spaceoreo]

I applaud the efforts made here. I'm not a veteran, nor have I served but I have immense respect for those who have. I have worked closely with people dealing with PTSD who've been ignored by government (in this case, Australian)and have yet to meet one who's not been belittled or cast aside by bureaucrats.

[pcqueen]

Have you EVER met anyone with PTSD? Anyone who was in Vietnam during the WAR? ANY POW's?

I have an uncle who serviced airplanes (NEVER involved in combat) a female friend who served (non-combat) and a cousin who served in combat in Nam and all have SEVERE PTSD! Meds do not FIX the problem and it doesn't go away! Ask someone who suffers from PTSD whether they would feel comfortable with a former POW who has been tormented as McCain as Commander in Cheif.

[sarahwhat2]

PTSD comes with different symptoms and different severity. It can be treated over time, and perhaps with drugs, and can be quieted for some. Everyone has angry outbursts, we can't look at selected ones and automatically attribute it to PTSD.We really have no idea why he was angry at that time. I do not know if McCain has or had PTSD, but I do know that even if he does, it doesn't make him psychotic, and the stigma won't work its way into my voting decision.

[starrynites1]

hes nervous here, watch his hands on that chair.

[starrynites1]

He must have PSTD after what he went through, kinda shitty to dodge the question

[8810604]

ive always wondered why he doesnt like to talk about personal issues/feelings. i saw the CNN documentary on him and now i agree he either has or has had ptsd to some degree. ive had it for 38 years since vietnam. he avoids talking about it for the same reason i avoided talking about it for 30 years, its painful. i dont agree that it would make him a bad president. Now we have an angry veteran and a religious fanatic that will likely be running the country to. I may be running to canada.

[mapwe10]

I have really ill feelings that McCain dodges the question of PTSD. He knows that PTSD is real. He did not pass or voted for any veteran benefits. He even went ahead to vote against the GI bill I think this is hoge wash from McCain

[crock703]

For talking to a room of what looks like top-tier donors (supposedly behind closed doors), he sure isn't being very candid.

McCain is so disappointing when he acts like this - deflecting and dismissing. The arrogant way he does it is exhausting to watch.

[jonthewolf]

die it makes life easier

[Questinia]

People should google PTSD and McCain. Look at all the hits. It is very irresponsible for someone with PTSD to run for the presidency. It can cause abnormally dramatic reactions in stressful situations. McCain should have let another republican have a go at the presidency . This is not good.

[elfcounsul]

The fact that he keeps bringing up the subject of his POW years points to some unresolved issues. His temper is another red flag. I'm a veteran undergoing treatment for PTSD. You don't get well without help.

[Questinia]

I totally agree. His unresolved issues are what make him dangerous. Thank you for serving!

[jonthewolf]

ok i have ptsd i worry about IED's each time i take a goddamn taxi, every ride i take, im thinking of what house im going to take fire from. as a president i really dont know as a us citizen i have the rigt to vote that what i care about

[INCIID]

I really want to understand why no one in the media is asking some of these tough questions about John McCain's PTSD.

Why isn't the media taking a good look at his health records. Where is the open discussion of what that means to the people voting to put him in office.

My youngest daughter suffers with complex PTSD from preadoptive abuse and neglect. She was also tortured in an orphanage. Living with a person who suffers with PTSD is amazingly complex and hard.

I am so worried !

[Swordsquire]

Yup...a typical McBush answer...dances around the subject, by throwing long-winded, and loosely-on-the-subject related answers. He's not fit to be a commander in chief.

[maggythecat]

To the person who said McCain did not have PTSD because he and been married for a long time-check out his background. He turned into a party guy after his return from Nam and ran around on his wife who had a bad accident while he was a POW. He returned to find her 4 inches shorter and fat. He ran around with women until he found Cindy. He divorced his wife 30 days later. POW groups Do NOT support McCain; that should say it all. He has a terrible temper that he is trying to hide by speaking soft.

[sineaddeburca]

I have wondered about this for a long time. Has McCain been treated for ptsd? There is no way he came out of a POW camp after 5 yrs and being tortured without some mental issues. From what I've read most senators, republicans included think he is unstable. God forbid, after 8 yrs of Bush we get a president who is mentally unstable. THIS is much more important an issue than what is being talked about in the media regarding this election.

[8810604]

when McCain was released from prison and the service there was no PTSD diagnosis or treatment. the veterans affairs didnt acknowledge it till 1984. i have ptsd, it doesnt make me unstable; it makes me emotionally dead, anxious, and sometimes irratible. it could influence his desision making, but presidents never make decisions by themselves. most people would be surprised how little power the president really has.

[sineaddeburca]

I'm sure it effects ppl differently and, depending upon the specific person's support system, resolves itself differently. You say you are "emotionally dead"... if McCain has that affect it would be terrible for a person with their finger on the button. As far as presidential power, we see what 7 yrs of Bush has done so you can't dismiss it, also, part of that power is putting ppl in positions of power w/in the admin. and that is very important.

[8810604]

he doeesnt have that symptom. he has a wife of many years, lots of friends, etc. not possible if he was emotionally bancrupt. i think the years as pow after his torture probably saved him. he was able to talk it out with others who experienced the same thing. that's how they treat it here, talk about it till it doesnt hurt anymore.

[sineaddeburca]

8810604, just google "McCain anger problems" and you can find out just what his fellow senators think of his stability. Also, his wife staying with him doesn't mean anything, that happens all the time. ALSO, there is a huge difference btwn your ability to keep your family from leaving and your ability to be trusted with the most power position in the world AND your finger on the button. I don't want a person who has untreated PTSD holding that office... hell, look at Bush's untreated alcoholism

[INCIID]

PTSD doesn't just go away. His anger issues speak volumes about symptoms. People who understand PTSD, are married to spouses that have it and who have it and live with it themselves -- KNOW what it looks like.

[thevicarofbleu]

mccain DID (& i say CONTINUES TO HAVE) PTSD. some say jangling a set of keys can set him off. oooh, would love to see Ms Palin jangle some keys just to find him at her throat? that is mean, yes, & i am a priest. it IS a VERY IMPORTANT question...i want to know mccain's sx TODAY, not immediately after vietnam... i want to know what sends him to flashbacks & what is his behavior.. we must DEMAND mccain's medical records!

[librophile]

MCCAIN IS A BUSH CLONE:

It's clear that the Bush Administration does not believe in an open democratic government. It has used one ruse after another-from "National Security" to "Executive Privilege" to plain old stonewalling-To keep information from the public.

Withholding presidential records-Deleting White House emails-Delaying FOIA requests-Firing whistleblowers-Silencing NASA scientists-Secretly detaining "enemy combatants"-Blocking government workers from testifying before Congress.

[maggythecat]

Continued: McCain's full medical files need to be opened now. He should not be allowed to run this country (provided he wins, and I don't think he will) without disclosure of his problems. Please use the Internet to research PTSD.

I hate Huckabee but if I had to vote for a Republican I would pick him over a dangerous mind. We have already one nut in the White House. We don't need another.

[8810604]

you are partially right; i am a vietnam vet with ptsd, mine will never go away and has gotten worse over the years. but there is also what is called "acute" ptsd defined as not lasting over 3 months and delayed onset ptsd, when symtoms start later.

the main tell tail symtom is reduced affect or emotional numbness which shows up in lack of close personal relationships; mccain does not seem to have that problem. also it shows in the inability to hold a steady job which mccain has no issue.

[maggythecat]

Few Vietnam vets have acute PTSD, and no POWs have been shown to have it. McCain has chronic PTSD. As you know, every person with PTSD carries a time bomb inside. We have seen McCain's anger in the past. If you watch him talk you will see him trying to show us a soft side--it does not work. As for holding a job, I have worked with several professional businessmen who never missed a day of work until PTSD reared its ugly head in thier 50's.

We just can't put our future into the hands of McCain.

[maggythecat]

To 8810604: PTSD goes away in a few months?! You need to do your research. PTSD never goes away. I have worked with numerous Vietnam vets. As they get older their problems get worse. I am not talking about jobless vets-I am talking about older successful businessmen. PTSD can rear its ugly head at any time, especially in the golden years, and when there is stress. I have seen it happen time and time again. The more stressful the ordeal the worse the PTSD. See next post--over limit...

[Anililagnian]

Hey, McCain---Name, Rank, and Serial Number. Period!

[maggythecat]

PTSD can never be cured. It can only be controlled with drugs and constant therapy. Even then, as those with PTSD get older their coping skills deminish, making thier PTSD harder to control.

McCain has PTSD and he is not fit to be president. His wife is a recovering drug addict. Look it up. We don't need these people in the White House.

[8810604]

Somebody needs to check your facts. McCain does not have ptsd. he could not possibly do his job or have the relationships he has while having ptsd.

there is a such thing as acute ptsd, it goes away in a few months. even more chronic cases can go into remission or fade away after years of treatment.

even you can be a drug addict. its what our brains do when we take medications. if she was still an addict she would have relapses...she doesnt.

[straightshoot]

After reading the Wikipedia entry on the POW-MIA Committee hearing of 1991-1993, I FULLY regret my vote for John Kerry in 2004. I wish I had known then what I know now. Kerry and McCains' treatment of the POW-MIA families were deplorable by all means! The Swift Boat guys were right all along! I should have voted for Nader instead....God forgive me...there is NO WAY I will vote McCain!

[naath9]

I guess that psychopathy & the choices these sick people make are unavoidable, because they do everything to deny the problem because they are it. PTSD doesn´t really seem to exist, there may not be a journey through (to) hell. The dishonour to admit this in public would be a world wide disaster. It's not going to happen. PTSD is all about truth, a well hidden memory you can not hide but be hidden by others. "We are not so easy to deal with" That one was funny :-D