(CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Veterans returning from war have experienced
things that many others can't even imagine.
Now, new technology might help to detect wounds that are deep
beneath the surface.
"It happened so quickly," said Daniel Casara, whose first tour of
duty in Iraq in 2005 only lasted three weeks because it was cut
short by a bomb hidden in the road.
"The explosion itself, it's almost like a car accident that you
don't see," Casara told ABC7 Chicago.
The blast flipped his vehicle, killing two of his fellow soldiers
and crushing his
legs. But Casara says some of his and his fellow soldiers' deepest
wounds were hidden from view.
"These are images that you just can't get out of your head," he
said.
Casara says he suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, or
PTSD. He also says he had trouble sleeping and was anxious and
flustered after the attack.
He is not alone. Some studies say 20 percent of veterans returning
from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering from PTSD.
"They think it's just normal, and they're just doing the best they
can," said Michael Gremley, a Chicago entrepreneur who created
Voiceprism, a system that he hopes can help change the way the
military screens for PTSD.
"There's a stigma with psychological exams and PTSD in the
military. So, the soldiers, they want to stay with their buddies
and what they end up doing is saying, 'I don't have bad memories.
I'm doing fine,'" Gremley said.
Instead of the current written questionnaire, Gremley's program
tests soldiers for PTSD by analyzing stress levels in their
voices.
A visual reading of the color red from the test means that stress
levels are above a certain level.
Soldiers are asked questions about things they experienced during
their deployment. Then, their answers are recorded and analyzed
for stress.
"When we're experiencing stress we speak differently than when
we're relaxed," Dr. Paul Larson said.
Larson, of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, is one
of Voiceprism's advisors. He specializes in helping veterans cope
with stress.
"They can't help but speak in a certain way if they are
experiencing certain emotional states," said Larson. "It just
leaks out."
Voiceprism is also testing their technology by measuring stress
levels of nurses at the Cleveland clinic and checking veterans for
PTSD with the Vietnam Veterans of America.
"The battle for a lot of people isn't over when they come back,"
said Justin Savage.
Chicago-based Web site
www.VetsPrevail.com is creating an online network to increase
access to mental health care.
"It's really tough for a culture of warriors, of people who have
stood up and proudly fought and defended our rights, for those
people to say, 'Hey, I need a second. I need to take care of me,'"
Savage said.
Daniel Casara's Army memories cover the walls of his home. He says
looking at his accomplishments helps motivate him to keep getting
better.
"Everybody has their own way of dealing with things, and you just
hope that there's something that helps these individuals get
through what they're going through," said Casara.
Casara also keeps challenging himself physically. He has gone
skydiving and completed the Chicago Marathon on a hand-pedaled
bike this year. He has also run up the Willis Tower. His next
challenge is to try out for the U.S. Paralympic volleyball team.
For more information about help for veterans struggling with
stress, visit:
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