Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 6

Written Answers - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

137 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who have put in claims in relation to post traumatic stress disorder as a result of their service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26030/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

To date a total of 14 claims have been made by current or former members of the Defence Forces in relation to post traumatic stress disorder.

It has always been recognised that military personnel may be exposed to traumatic situations leading to what has in the past been described as "battle stress disorder". Indeed, one of the aims of military training is to create a sense of comradeship and mutual support to enable personnel to cope with the stress which is an inevitable part of military operations from time to time. Support from commanders, from the Medical Corps and from the Chaplaincy Service has always been available when required. In more recent times, following developments in the medical sciences which have led to the identification of what we now call post traumatic stress disorder, procedures have been put in place which formalise these traditional support systems throughout the Defence Forces.

The Defence Forces now operate a stress management and post traumatic stress disorder programme the purpose of which is to educate personnel in stress recognition and to provide support to personnel so that they can deal with trauma and stressful situations in an appropriate and timely manner. This programme is implemented through the Defence Forces psychologist, the Personnel Support Service and the Chaplaincy Service.

Cases of post traumatic stress disorder are referred in the first instance to the military psychiatrist at St. Bricins Military Hospital. A multi-disciplinary approach to case management is generally adopted and is led by the psychiatrist. The team may include nurses of the Army Nursing Service with training in counselling skills, social workers of the Personnel Support Service, the Chaplaincy Service and appropriate colleagues. The psychiatrist may also refer cases to civilian agencies, particularly clinical psychologists, if he feels that is appropriate.