Post Traumatic Stress Disorder a common syndrome, expert says

By Uriah A. Kiser

Published: June 5, 2008

STAFFORD — More and more soldiers returning from war are being treated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an ailment that leaves families confused, torn, and for one local marine who suffered from the disorder, dead.

Last month Marine Staff Sgt. Travis N. Twiggs, 36, went absent without official leave from Quantico Marine Base on May 5. Officials there say he was assigned to the Warfare Laboratory, an Quantico-based agency that facilitates war games and devises ways to better operate Marine forces during ground combat.

Twiggs had served four tours in Iraq, one month in Afghanistan, according to Quantico officials.

Kelle Twiggs, his widow, told the Associated Press that her husband he was undergoing therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and was taking up to 12 medications to treat his condition.

Twiggs, who lived in Stafford with his wife, drove to the Grand Canyon with his 38-year -old brother, Willard J. Twiggs. When they arrived at the Canyon, police say the two tried to drive their car into the chasm in a suicide attempt. During the unsuccessful attempt, the car became lodged in a tree.

The two brothers later car-jacked another vehicle and drove it to the Arizona - Mexico boarder. Police say when asked to pull over for questioning, the two sped off leading police on an 80-mile pursuit.

Police eventually disabled the car by laying tire spikes on the roadway in front of the moving vehicle.

Once disabled, Twiggs then exited the car and shot his brother, then turned the gun on himself. Both men died at the scene.

Judy MCGillicuddy, a substance abuse therapist with the Rappahannock Community Services Board says her agency has seen an increase in PTSD cases, and that she works very closely with families to treat the disorder.

“It’s a treatable disorder, the pain and suffering doesn’t have to continue,“ said MCGillicuddy.

MCGuillicudy said PTSD is a debilitating syndrome that makes people feel detached from their families. It causes nightmares, nervousness, temper outbursts, and hyperactivity.

The agency sees a high number of veterans reporting seeking treatment for these symptoms.

Twiggs spent nearly 15-years in the Marine Corps, serving until his death last month. He enlisted in the corps in 1993, voluntarily separated from the Marines in
1998, and then returned again in 2000, according to Lt. Brian Donnelly, public information officer at Quantico Marine Corps Base.

“For any combat related injury or any lingering stress that may be left from a war zone, we encourage service members to seek medical help,“ said Donnelly.
Donnelly said Marines have a policy in place instructing leaders to recognize the signs of PTSD, and to refer those who are suspected of suffering from the
disorder to be treated at the Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

MCGillicuddy also added that recognizing the problem is important, and being able to talk about the issues bothering a person is the first step forward in treating PSTD.