Military Plans Predictive PTSD Testing for Recruits
December 2nd, 2009
The US Military has been faced with pointed calls for greater attention to mental health among soldiers lately, and several ideas and initiatives have come to the fore in an effort to address the issue. One of the most recent developments announced by the armed forces is the use of a test battery to be taken by soldiers before deployment to predict the likelihood of development of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. The tests are currently being produced with the help of collaborative university studies, and include gauging reactions to CO2 inhalation, visual presentation of stressful scenarios, MRI scans, and genetic testing. Rather than waive “pre-disposed” recruits’ combat duty, the military will ostensibly develop early intervention protocols for containing mental health issues before they become debilitating.
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While long stretched warfare in a foreign land is bound to take its toll on armed personnel both physically and mentally, it is laudable that measures are being taken to try and prevent psychological problems before they actually set in. Truly, prevention is better than cure.
Ummm isn’t this kind of thing called profiling and generally seen as a negative thing to do? I am very wary of predicting what others might do before the situation even presents itself and I should think that the military should have some of the same sorts of concerns. And as a soldier I would be MIGHTY hesitant about supporting a program like this which may unfairly find you labeled as somehting which may in the future be detrimental for your career.
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