ARMY PSYCHIATRIST SAYS PTSD CAN BE CURED -- COLONEL ELSPETH

RITCHIE OFFERS NO MEDICAL EVIDENCE FOR THIS ASTOUNDING CLAIM

Army Colonel Elspeth Ritchie is a psychiatrist and consultant to the Army's Surgeon-General.

In an interview on the BBC/PRI radio program The World, Colonel Ritchie, when asked if a person could be cured of PTSD, said, "Yes. Absolutely.  You can be cured of it."

Here is the link to the BBC/PRI audio... http://audio.theworld.org/wma.php?id=01246  Dr. Ritchie's statement is in the last minute of the interview.

This was the segment for which I was interviewed.  And, I want to apologize for Katy Clark, the reporter...she identified me as a Vietnam veteran.  I am not a Vietnam vet and did not tell her that.  It must have been something she assumed.  And, apologies to all my brother and sister vets who served in Vietnam.

Another problem with this segment is that they interviewed Dr. Sally Satel...a psychiatrist who has sold her "expertise" to anyone who will pay, including the tobacco industry.  Dr. Satel has been thoroughly discredited as an expert on anything.  More on Dr. Satel here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes/newsflash12-27-2005-2.htm

Of course the VA, represented by spokesman Scott Hogenson, said the VA was "100%" ready for all of the PTSD cases expected for the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

Then, Dr. Ritchie spoke up:  "Yes. Absolutely.  You can be cured of it."

VA Secretary Jim Nicholson has said the same thing.  That story here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes/newsflash12-01-2005-5.htm

Now that the military and the VA are in lockstep on this issue...what does it mean for veterans?

It's a step backwards.  The American Psychiatric Association (APA) who has codified PTSD in their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) is not of the opinion that PTSD can be cured.  Even the VA's own PTSD web page says it can't be cured...go here... http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/facts/general/fs_what_is_ptsd.html

And, let's not forget that the VA has instituted a "quiet," new PTSD review...story here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/secretivevalaunchesnewptsdreview.htm

Dr. Ritchie talks about early intervention.  Which means?  Counseling?  Medication?  Both?

In the BBC/PRI interview Dr. Ritchie said, "The sooner you get treatment, the easier it is to cure it."

Taking Dr. Ritchie's and Secretary Nicholson's statements and looking into the future, we come up with a not-so-pretty picture.

If there is intervention, the military can proclaim someone "cured" and then the VA will be able to deny treatment and compensation.  It's all about money!

Larry Scott

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