2 Responses to ““Psycho-Babble””

1. #1 |  John Jenkins |  December 2nd, 2007 at 10:18 pm

   “Mental illness” is a serious issue for the military, especially in a war zone. It was a running gag on MASH how Klinger was trying to get a “Section 8″ discharge from the war zone, but the problem is not a funny one.

   It seems like the correct remedy here is an uncharacterized discharge. She surely will not keep her commission in any event, and could be administratively discharged for her actions (as she is now considered unfit for duty).

   A lot of the problem is the rapid expansion of what is a mental illness. I don’t think anyone, anywhere actually believes that mental illness diagnoses are actually scientific assessments of anything. The DSM listed homosexuality as a mental illness for a long time , after all.

   At this point, the possible diagnoses have been so expanded that any aberrant behavior can be classified as an illness (so someone can collect money from third-party insurers, and the responsible party can pretend that party is not responsible that party’s choices). That expansion discredits cases where people really might need help coping with issues. It seems odd for anyone to be charged with suicide, but, again, discharge seems appropriate (not the least reason for which being to remove the person from the situation that allowed the person to think that suicide was a good choice!).

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2. #2 |  Nando |  December 3rd, 2007 at 9:10 am

   Let us begin by admitting that we cannot use any tools or knowledge other than those available to us now. That being said, if this woman was diagnosed with PTSD, something more common than previously thought, by a MILITARY doctor in a MILITARY hospital, then she should be given the benefit of the doubt. If the Army wants a second or third opinion, fine, but don’t completely discredit her doctor’s opinion/diagnosis just because you don’t want people to “fake it” and come back from this war.

   This person was obviously distressed enough to try to take her own life.

   I was a member of the military for 9+ years and I know the bureaucracy first hand. This, however, is a bit excessive, even for the Army.

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