The aftermath is far greater. Think of the ripple effect. I'm the psychotherapist (LCSW) for the inpatient psychiatric ward at a major army medical center. The census averages have tripled since 9/11 and the majority of patients are OIF/OEF (Operation Iraq/Enduring Freedom) active duty soldiers with PTSD diagnoses. Add to your totals the number of collateral casualties such as the death of a local civilian killed by recent returnees, intoxicated, adrenaline addicted, and PTSD dx, and racing down the interstate hwy. Another returnee, intoxicated, PTSD, rams the back of a broken down car being pushed off the road. Two legs required amputation. The wives often lose their only support system to long deployed husbands, become depressed and suicidal. Home life of returnees suffers. Anger problems result in divorces, child abuse, homicide, suicide and many turn to illegal and legal drugs to self medicate in an effort to cleanse their mind of the memories of what they witnessed and the atrocities of their actions. Some become homicidal and end up in prison. Some remain in their position without treatment and affect the workplace environment. Some of these untreated sick are commanders, law enforcement personnel, and regular soldiers, all with guns. Think of the effect they have on others, spouses, children, moms and dads, brothers and sisters. Add that to your total.
One soldier with PTSD reported that while in Iraq his Platoon Sergeant forced him to clean the wheel well on his humvee of the remains of a child that he earlier ran over while in a patrol convoy. Patrols are not allowed to stop for any reason for fear of an ambush. That is 1 of the 100,000 plus figure but the ripple effect is far greater. The number whose lives have been scared by this war (so for) is probably closer to a million. That’s just USA. How many in Iraq with PTSD? Darfur?, UK?