| Revision as of 07:13, 26 March 2002 editMalcolm Farmer (talk | contribs)5,747 editsm a start. needs a lot more... | Revision as of 03:44, 12 April 2002 edit undoMalcolm Farmer (talk | contribs)5,747 editsmNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
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| * <i>and many, many more...</i> | * <i>and many, many more...</i> | ||
| A contrary view has been advanced, that GWS is not a physical illness, but a response to the stresses of war, and that similar syndromes have been seen as an after effect of many conflicts - for example, 'Shell shock' after World War I, and 'Post-traumatic Stress Disorder' after the Vietnam War. If this were true, the unfortunate effect is that the psychologically based therapy that might help support those affected in their very real distress, is neglected in favour of a futile search for a non-existent physical cause: and repeated studies where a particular cause is found to be unconnected become regarded as further evidence for a cover-up by the authorities. | A contrary view has been advanced, that GWS is not a physical illness, but a response to the stresses of war, and that similar syndromes have been seen as an after effect of many conflicts - for example, ']' after World War I, and 'Post-traumatic Stress Disorder' after the Vietnam War. If this were true, the unfortunate effect is that the psychologically based therapy that might help support those affected in their very real distress, is neglected in favour of a futile search for a non-existent physical cause: and repeated studies where a particular cause is found to be unconnected become regarded as further evidence for a cover-up by the authorities. | ||
Revision as of 03:44, 12 April 2002
Gulf war syndrome is the name given to a variety of psychological and physical symptoms suffered by veterans of the Gulf War. The symptoms have been remarkably wide-ranging, sometimes somewhat ill-defined, and distinguished by the number of theories advanced as to their origin. None of the theories have as yet (March 2002) held up under detailed study of those afflicted, leading to suspicions in those suffering that there is some widespread cover-up of the true cause.
Some of the causes that have been suggested, some more likely than others:
- Depleted uranium poisoning
- the side-effects of drugs given for protection against nerve agents
- methanol poisoning from hydrolysed aspartame sweeteners in soft drinks stored in the heat of the Arabian desert.
- and many, many more...
A contrary view has been advanced, that GWS is not a physical illness, but a response to the stresses of war, and that similar syndromes have been seen as an after effect of many conflicts - for example, 'shell shock' after World War I, and 'Post-traumatic Stress Disorder' after the Vietnam War. If this were true, the unfortunate effect is that the psychologically based therapy that might help support those affected in their very real distress, is neglected in favour of a futile search for a non-existent physical cause: and repeated studies where a particular cause is found to be unconnected become regarded as further evidence for a cover-up by the authorities.