1. VA Watchdog dot Org - VA NEWS FLASH - 09-24-2007 #2 -- PERSONALITY DISORDER DIAGNOSIS KILLS VETERAN'S BENEFITS -- "We think it's a disgraceful situation. We think it's a deliberate policy to use up kids and then try to save money."nf092407-2.htm
... is unfortunate," said Col. ElspethRitchie, an Army psychiatric consultant and director ... confirmed his bipolar disease. Diagnosis difficult Ritchie couldn't talk about Gearhart' ... be diagnosed with a personality disorder. Ritchie said neither bipolar nor post traumatic stress ... could overlap with symptoms of bipolar. Ritchie said it could take psychological testing and ... likely consider opinions of civilian doctors, Ritchie said, but military physicians would issue ... with personality disorders since 2001, said Ritchie, the Army colonel. "We ... very seriously," she said. Ritchie said she doesn't believe the... http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfSEP07/nf092407-2.htm
... PTSD CAN BE CURED -- COLONEL ELSPETHRITCHIE OFFERS NO MEDICAL EVIDENCE FOR THIS ASTOUNDING CLAIM Army Colonel ElspethRitchie is a psychiatrist and consultant to the ...PRI radio program The World , Colonel Ritchie, when asked if a person could ...php?id=01246 Dr. Ritchie's statement is in the last ... Afghanistan Wars. Then, Dr. Ritchie spoke up: "Yes. Absolutely ...milcom/secretivevalaunchesnewptsdreview.htm Dr. Ritchie talks about early intervention. Which means... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old newsflashes JAN 06/newsflash01-25-2006-4.htm
...'s chief psychiatrist, Col. ElspethRitchie, a somewhat controversial figure, speaks ... Well, gee whiz, Col. Ritchie, then what brought on the " ... back to the suicides! Remember, Ritchie has claimed, on more than one ...sessearc h.php?q=elspeth+ritchie&op=and And, an ... "Coming Home." Col. ElspethRitchie, the Army's top psychiatrist... http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfmar09/nf030809-2.htm
4. VA Watchdog dot Org - VA NEWS FLASH - 08-07-2007 #3 -- MOST STRESS CASES MISSED -- Army admits PTSD is under-reported and veterans' advocates say it is under-diagnosed, as well.nf080707-3.htm
...-reported," acknowledged Col. ElspethRitchie, psychiatry consultant to the Army surgeon ... have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Ritchie attributed the relatively low numbers to the ...,477 new cases were diagnosed. Ritchie and other Army leaders have said the ... seek help. In late July, Ritchie and others presented the program, which ..., down to platoon sergeant," Ritchie said. "We want people to ... to 50 percent of the time. Ritchie said her office does not have detailed ... if they seek mental health care. Ritchie said the Army has briefed medical providers... http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfAUG07/nf080707-3.htm
... in men," says Col. Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, the psychiatry consultant to the U ... some difficulty fitting back in," Ritchie says. "And I think it ... percent and 12 percent, respectively. Ritchie explains that any difference in the rates ... there's a difference." Ritchie also sees some differences in women adjusting ... of the Iraq war, according to Ritchie. Some, like Robinson, believe these steps are not enough, but Ritchie says the military is doing more than ... of guys." For now, Ritchie says the military doesn't see... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old newsflashes MAY 06/newsflash05-27-2006-5.htm
... combat stress teams to treat deployed troops and increased suicide prevention programs. Col. ElspethRitchie, the top psychiatry expert for the Army surgeon general, said that while the ... "suicide rates go up and down, and we expect some variation." Ritchie said the mental health of troops remains a priority as the war enters its ... and send them home, they have the shame and the stigma," said Ritchie, the Army's mental health expert. But with the suicide rate... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old newsflashes MAY 06/newsflash05-14-2006-7.htm
7. VA Watchdog dot Org - VA NEWS FLASH - 07-18-2007 #5 -- ARMY STARTS STRESS PROGRAM BUT LACKS RESOURCES -- Will start training all soldiers to recognize signs of post-traumatic stress and seek help when needed, but it still lacks the mental health resources to treat those troops.nf071807-5.htm
... mental health resources to treat those troops. Col. ElspethRitchie, mentioned in the story, sent me a copy ... few mental health professionals to treat them. Col. ElspethRitchie, a psychiatrist and the Army's expert on ... chaplains to help provide counseling and mental health referrals. Ritchie said the Army wants to catch symptoms early so ... "We don't want another Vietnam," Ritchie said on Tuesday. "We don't... http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfJUL07/nf071807-5.htm
.... "We are concerned," said Col. ElspethRitchie, the Army's chief psychiatrist. "We ... by repeated deployments that last up to 15 months, Ritchie said. That, coupled with the ready availability of firearms, often can become a deadly combination. Ritchie said there is no indication that the stress of ..." Berkley said. 'Deployed on Prozac' While Ritchie would not specifically address Virgadamo's case, ..., they can be deployed on Prozac," said Ritchie, who compiled the Army's suicide data... http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfMAR08/nf030408-3.htm
9. VA Watchdog dot Org - VA NEWS FLASH - 10-04-2007 #9 -- SUICIDES: A TREATMENT ISSUE -- A new Army report suggests that the quality of care, as much as the quantity of providers, may be a factor in the rising incidence of suicides among active-duty service members.nf100407-9.htm
... recommendations, saying training would be expanded. Col. ElspethRitchie, psychiatry consultant to the Army Surgeon General, said ... disorder and traumatic brain injury by mid-October. Ritchie said existing training in suicide prevention is "uneven .... it's a very impulsive act." Ritchie said she was not troubled by the findings that ..., the ratio is one for about 740 troops. Ritchie said the Army is still meeting the staffing level ... some already serving second or third tours in Iraq. Ritchie said the Army is closely tracking soldier suicides in... http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfOCT07/nf100407-9.htm
... Alcoholism common for those afflicted with PTSD. Col. ElspethRitchie, a psychiatry consultant to the Army surgeon general, ... been to Iraq more than once, said Col. ElspethRitchie, a psychiatry consultant to the Army surgeon general. ..., and it has yet to file a report. Ritchie said the information wasn't in yet. ... be honest about the effects of their war experiences, Ritchie said. Researchers think the reason for the dishonesty... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old newsflashes JUL 06/newsflash07-16-2006-10.htm
