Combat Stress Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society
Contact Combat Stress
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All press related enquiries to be directed to:
Robert Marsh
Tel: 01372 841615
Fax: 01372 841693
Email: dfpr@combatstress.org.uk
Or Jean Marray
Tel 01372 841623
Fax: 01372 841693
Email: dfr04@combatstress.org.uk
Combat Stress Case History
There has barely been a year go by since 1945 without casualties of war, whether in the Falklands, the Gulf, Afghanistan, the Balkans, Iraq or Northern Ireland. And in each of these conflicts Servicemen have suffered horrific psychological wounds.
Every single year, we take approximately 700 new veterans on to our books – the youngest in their early twenties, the oldest in their eighties. We are currently helping people who between them have served in every campaign that the British Armed services have been engaged in from the start of World War 2 to the present day.
Michael’s Story
World War II Veteran – James Bradley
Sean’s Story
Tom’s Story
Michael’s Story
As a Royal Marine, Michael* served his country with pride, first in Northern Ireland, and then during the First Gulf War. He faced many harrowing, life-threatening situations. When he returned from the Gulf Michael suffered from frequent nightmares and inexplicable, angry outbursts.
It wasn’t until he left the Service in 1994 that Michael began to realise something was seriously wrong. He had difficulty relating to people, and suffered from terrible anxiety. His personal relationships deteriorated and 8 months later Michael’s wife, Joanna*, left him saying that he had undergone a complete personality change.
Looking back, Michael feels that it was the pressure of commanding up to 30 men in the Gulf that affected him so badly, knowing that one wrong decision could be so costly.
Michael’s story is not unusual. For thousands of families like his, with beloved relatives who have sustained crippling psychiatric wounds while serving their country
In over 80 years of operation, we’ve seen time and time again how effective our work is. Take Michael, for example:
It wasn’t until his family life fell apart that Michael finally consulted a doctor in 1995. He was immediately diagnosed with combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After being referred to Combat Stress, Michael eventually came to realise that he was not alone.
Where everything had been bottled up, Michael finally found an environment where he could start to talk about his experiences and confront his anxieties. As he said "We take our mask off here. If we are seen to be vulnerable, there’s someone to pick the bits up…I’ve been able to lead a more normal life".
Today Michael feels much better, the nightmares are less frequent and he is able to control his symptoms, "I’m optimistic… I can plan six months down the road. …I can plan ahead".
Michael is more confident about the future, but will need ongoing treatment and support. Counselling will help him rebuild his relationship with his wife and children.
World War II Veteran – James Bradley
For men like James Bradley who fought for King and country all those years ago, the invisible wounds of combat linger to this day.
"I was 18 when it all started. I thought Hitler was an evil person. I joined the Territorial Army in Eastbourne. We were called up 3 days before they declared war.
The world completely changed for me. I can remember bullets going by and people shouting ‘stretcher bearer.’ I remember the Germans coming over in dive bombers – there was a terrible humming and when they dropped their bombs it blew our guns up in the air. Ammunition was going off, it was an absolute bloodbath. There were chaps shouting ‘help me!’ but I couldn’t help anybody.
From a young chap who didn’t want to fight anybody, suddenly I was fighting for my life.
When I came home from the war I was 26. I went back to working as a window dresser in a department store in Eastbourne. The trouble was, my personality had been changed. Inside of me, I knew there was a flashpoint. I used to think, 'If anybody argues with me, I'll kill them.' I knew I had to learn to be a nice person.
I married a girl who worked in the shop and we had 2 boys and 3 girls. I carried on working in the shop and I became the display manager. I wouldn’t say I was unsociable but when there was conversation and laughter I used to find it difficult to laugh.
I started having nightmares of battle. It was just like a video in my head – it was terrible. One night I was dreaming about choking somebody, but I got my wife by the throat. I woke up and said 'what am I doing?'
I saw my doctor and a psychiatrist but they couldn’t help. Then I saw an article about Combat Stress so I wrote to them. I visited them and was seen by an ex-Major psychiatrist. He was terrific.
I have carried on going for treatment so they can keep a check on me. I like it there because it’s as though I’ve met somebody who’s really nice, who sees my point of view and has great ideas. The staff are great.
I am just one example of something that is vast. All over the country there are men that have had a very bad time because no one understood. But Combat Stress understands. It has helped so many men – men who went off to defend this country, regardless of the risks, because they thought it was worth it.
The democracy we enjoy today – you could say it was paid for by the blood they spilled. But lots of the wounds we suffered are invisible, like a silent pain."
It’s incredible to think that James has been dealing with this ‘silent pain’ for 60 years. I hate to think how his life may have turned out if it hadn’t been for the support he has had from Combat Stress.
Today, thanks to the practical help and therapeutic treatment he has received at Tyrwhitt house, James is a well-adjusted and agreeable husband, father and grandfather. He’s proud of his military service, but even more proud that he’s learned to get on in society.
Sean’s Story
When Sean’s* Territorial Army unit went to Iraq last year, he wasn’t prepared for the distress that awaited him. Continual enemy bombardment for up to 5 days and nights at a time, sleep deprivation, the physical demands of the job, and the constant fear of chemical attack – all these factors took their toll on young Sean.
When he returned home, he was obviously suffering. He was withdrawn one moment, full of rage the next. He couldn’t talk to his wife. He kept losing his temper with his children.
To dull the pain, he started drinking. That’s when things started to go downhill fast. His work suffered. His marriage disintegrated.
He was experiencing light-headedness, gastric problems and pins and needles. Then he began to suffer horrific flashbacks to his time in Iraq. He couldn’t stand it any more. He went to his doctor and broke down. He was put in touch with Combat Stress.
Sean came to Tyrwhitt House for an assessment and we diagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. During the week that he stayed with us, Sean was able to talk about his combat experiences for the first time, with likeminded people who understood what he’d been through. He was also able to work through a lot of his problems using art therapy.
Sean felt the benefits of our therapeutic atmosphere almost straight away. Now he’s desperate to return for a longer stay to get the full effect of our wide range of complementary therapies.
Tom’s Story
Tom was an 18-year-old infantryman when he was first posted to Northern Ireland. Every patrol meant the threat of an unseen sniper’s bullet. Once home he suffered nightmares, devastating flashbacks, and depression.
In the years that followed, Tom isolated himself from his family and friends. He would lose his temper in a flash and couldn’t hold down a job. He couldn’t understand what was happening to him and more than once contemplated suicide.
After an initial assessment it was clear that Tom was experiencing the long-term effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Just being diagnosed was an enormous relief and helped him start the fight to get better.
Meeting other veterans with similar problems was a crucial step for Tom. He learnt that he wasn’t alone and was finally able to confront the root cause of his problems. He said:
"If I hadn’t come to Combat Stress I’d be in a far worse place. My condition was ruling my life, but now I’m in a position where I can control my symptoms".