Otis Schnurr: World War II Veterans

Paula Schnurr explains that people felt found relief when their condition was finally identified because before the diagnosis Schnurr explains the veterans’ thoughts, “Many people felt isolated and crazy and they thought it was just them. And they didn't talk about it” (Madigan). Because they believed the inner lies that they were alone, they discontinued a personal relationship with their families which created a stronger presence of being alone. A neglectance in communication caused many heartbreaks and trust issues. A WWII veteran's, Otis Mackey, interview appeared in the essay and supported the theme that war's psychological and emotional impacts will result in problems with the family. Otis Mackey debriefed his psychiatrist, "I get that empty feeling, just deep down, and I don't care

The photographs and videos sent to America did capture these gut-retching images; however, the tangy smell of death, the sound of wailing soldiers, the sensation of sweat dripping along a hot body, the view of life slipping from someone's eyes, and the hopelessness of not being able to evade the festering bugs were not present to the general public. America would not experience the extent of consequences soldiers faced because its use of all senses was limited. The strongest sense responsible for triggering memory is smell, and the population did not have access to this perception so they will not struggle with emotional death. Later Nelson was asked, "Could you explain you experience of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) which many Vietnam War veterans have suffered from?" Nelson defines PTSD, "Part of the post-traumatic stress has something to do with feeling guilty, like you are a bad