Washington - Newly diagnosed cases of post-traumatic stress disorder among U.S. troops sent to Iraq and Afghanistan surged 46.4 percent in 2007, bringing the five-year total to nearly 40,000, according to U.S. military data released on Tuesday.

The statistics, released by the Army, showed the number of new PTSD cases formally diagnosed at U.S. military facilities climbed to 13,981 last year from 9,549 in 2006.

The numbers rose as President George W. Bush poured extra forces into Iraq to try to quell sectarian violence and extended Army tours from 12 to 15 months. The United States has also sent more forces to Afghanistan.

The figures, encompassing all four branches of the U.S. armed services, showed that the Army alone had 10,049 new PTSD cases last year.

This brings to 39,366 the number of PTSD cases diagnosed at military facilities between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2007, among troops deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.

The totals include 28,365 cases for the Army, 5,641 for the Marines, 2,884 for the Navy and 2,476 for the Air Force.

Army officials said the larger number of PTSD diagnoses in recent years partly reflects greater awareness and tracking of the disorder by the U.S. military.

Longer, Multiple Combat Tours

"But we're also exposing more people to combat," Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, the Army surgeon general, told reporters.

Experts also say PTSD symptoms increase as soldiers return to combat for multiple tours of duty.

PTSD is a health condition that can result from wartime trauma such as being physically wounded or seeing others hurt or killed.

Symptoms range from irritability and outbursts of anger to sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, extreme vigilance and an exaggerated startle response. People with the condition can persistently relive the traumatic events that initially induced horror or helplessness.

The Pentagon has come under mounting political pressure in recent years to enhance treatment for PTSD amid criticism that initial programs were inadequate.

Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced a change in the U.S. government clearance process that allows PTSD sufferers to seek help for combat-related mental health problems without risking their military careers.

Army officials on Tuesday emphasized that the data do not reflect the actual number of troops and war veterans who suffer from PTSD, many of whom do not seek treatment or have been diagnosed at civilian facilities where records are confidential.

A recent study by the RAND Corp. estimated about 300,000 troops, or 18.5 percent, of the more than 1.5 million troops sent to Iraq and Afghanistan exhibit symptoms of either PTSD or depression.

The fresh statistics add detail about the scale of human suffering from two wars that have killed 4,579 U.S. troops and inflicted physical wounds on 32,076 more.

There currently are 155,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and 33,000 in Afghanistan

Mike this is no saprise to me.. I predicted at the beginning of our invasion into Iraq that our troops would suffer more from PTSD than us VN vets and as I heard moree about the IED's and multiple deployments. The awesome fear of being captured by barbarians, the torture of detainees by our goverment that leaves the door open for the uncivilied *******s to decapitate innocent people. It is time to bring our troops home. to rebuild our Armed forces, To develope tacticts and methods of detection of booby traps It is time to develope plans todeal with the suicides, divorces , alcholism, drug addiction, homelessness and the many more problems that will come from the effects of PTSD. We are approaching five thousand deaths and many thousands more that are physically and mentally maimed because of mad mens ego's.

agrred Grant. It is good to see more and more coming out on PTSD to include numbers which seem more realistic. Lets hope by this the government provides the VA with the funds they need to start taking care of our men and women.

I have no doubt that these troops are suffering from something; but is it PTSD?
I don't know if you've noticed this; but many articles, by non-medical people, about PTSD tend to contain a statement similar to - "PTSD was once called shell shock, or battle fatigue." I wince every time I see this. It is entirely possible that Chronic PTSD may once have been mis-diagnosed as shell shock/battle fatigue, but they ARE NOT THE SAME THING! Battle fatigue usually manifests itself in the combat zone. Chronic PTSD is a result of surpressed emotions, and manifests itself years, or even decades later. Many of the current troops may be suffering from battle fatigue. Only time, and treatment, can tell if they develope PTSD. Of course those troops should recieve treatment, and, if neccessary, some type of disability payments - until they recover, or the diagnosis evolves into PTSD - but they should not be lumped together.
When I was studying PTSD, while first being treated by the VA, it seemed to me that there was a distinct definition made for "Chronic" PTSD. This required that the symptoms exist for a number of years. The impression I got was that it is natural for someone to experience stress after going through a traumatic experience. It is only when the stress persists that it becomes chronic. Most of us were diagnosed decades after we returned home. Our symptoms were, obviously, chronic.
The good news, for the current troops, is that perhaps something can be done before it becomes chronic. The bad news is that, yes some of them may be receiving long term disability payments for what may be a short term condition. I think what is needed here is a category which recognizes that these troops are suffering a disability, which deserves compensation while they are suffering from it, while acknowledging that it may "go away" with time & treatment.
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The sad part here, is that the whole thing gets confused in the issue over the governments motives. Under current rules, if it's not PTSD the government, probably, does not have to pay compensation. This is unfortunate, as there are many conditions which can be equally dehabilitating. These troops may be suffering from nervous breakdowns, mental and physical exhaustion, or battle fatigue. A mis-diagnosis does not serve them well in the long run. The government needs to recognize that these conditions can also be caused by the stresses of combat, and constant re-deployments. If they are ruled to be disabled, for any cause related to their service, they should be compensated for the duration of their disability. The condition does have to be properly diagnosed before it can be properly treated.

You all make very good points. My only concern is that PTSD could become the "whiplash" of the post modern world. Sadly, because the symptoms are psychosomatic, it is difficult or perhaps I should say easy to learn how to fake them.

Unlike obvious physical wounds, the potential for fraud and oppose will be there. We can only hope for the best care for all those who serve, deserved or not.

John R...

P.S. Also, I am a firm believer in self reliance and self healing.