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Helping Former POWs Cope

Aired April 18, 2003 - 15:40   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: When seven former POWs return to the United States tomorrow, their joy and relief may overwhelming, especially once they see their loved ones again. But what happens after that, when the soldiers and their families try to get back to their lives, their normal lives?
Lieutenant Colonel Elspeth Cameron (ph) Ritchie is a mental health policy program director for the Pentagon. Dr. Ritchie, thanks for being with us.

LT. COL. ELSPETH RITCHIE, ARMY PSYCHIATRIST: It's good to be here.

PHILLIPS: Well, we were really surprised here in the newsroom by the fact that these POWs came before the media so soon. Is that a good idea?

RITCHIE: It's hard to speak about the particular POWs. But what we have seen is that, people who have a chance to rest and get fed, have a shower, and then go before the media, are doing much better.

PHILLIPS: So Dr. Ritchie, why not go straight home? I mean, you would think that they all would be so eager and so anxious. But from what I'm hearing from you, it's not necessarily the best idea.

RITCHIE: It is a mistake. And we found that historically, to send people home too soon, POWs in general have been through just a horrific experience. They've often been beaten or tortured, they may be malnourished or starved. And it's very important to get them feeling physically and mentally ready before they step into the spotlight that return to United States is going to be.

Part of this process, which we call decompression, is not only allowing them to sleep and to eat, but also getting them ready for what they're going to face. And you're right, I'm sure they do want to get back to their family as quickly as possible, but being back in the large, joyous family gathering can be a little bit overwhelming too. So we want to do it one step at a time. And historically, we've found that people do a lot better when we do it gradually.

PHILLIPS: So talk to us about these phases of decompression, because that's what I thought. I mean, I know that's what I'd want. I'd want to be in the arms of my mom or godson or my husband. Tell us how important this decompression phase is and why it's so important not to rush going right back into the environment. RITCHIE: Sure. Well, normally, when the POW is released, they are elated and overjoyed. But they also can be overloaded by all the sensory stimulation. And so they'll have a medical and a psychological evaluation to give them a chance to make sure that they're healthy and to help educate them both about what it's going to be like to return and also about what some of their reactions may be.

There are a lot of times when POWs and other combat veterans are troubled by things like nightmares or intrusive thoughts, memories of what happened to them. And this is normal. But we want to let them know that it's normal and that it will go away over time. And again, to give them a couple days.

POWs have often been in a situation where they've been helpless and powerless, and we want to allow them to have some sense of control and independence over their lives so that they're the ones that can say when it's time to meet with the media, when it's time to go to the public ceremonies. They're going to have a big time ahead of them, but we want them to be ready for it.

PHILLIPS: My final question, the families, they have to be briefed also. What are they told? And also, is it good for these former POWs to talk about what they went through? Is it OK to go through just the memories of what they experienced?

RITCHIE: I would leave that question up to the POW. Some will want to talk about it right away and tell the story. Others may just want to share it in their own time. And that's what the families should understand.

They should give the POWs some support, they should give them their love and their affection, and they should allow them to tell their story when they're ready. And sometimes, in some cases, they never want to tell everything. And that's OK too.

PHILLIPS: Lieutenant Colonel Elspeth Cameron (ph) Ritchie, thank you for your time.

RITCHIE: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired April 18, 2003 - 15:40   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: When seven former POWs return to the United States tomorrow, their joy and relief may overwhelming, especially once they see their loved ones again. But what happens after that, when the soldiers and their families try to get back to their lives, their normal lives?
Lieutenant Colonel Elspeth Cameron (ph) Ritchie is a mental health policy program director for the Pentagon. Dr. Ritchie, thanks for being with us.

LT. COL. ELSPETH RITCHIE, ARMY PSYCHIATRIST: It's good to be here.

PHILLIPS: Well, we were really surprised here in the newsroom by the fact that these POWs came before the media so soon. Is that a good idea?

RITCHIE: It's hard to speak about the particular POWs. But what we have seen is that, people who have a chance to rest and get fed, have a shower, and then go before the media, are doing much better.

PHILLIPS: So Dr. Ritchie, why not go straight home? I mean, you would think that they all would be so eager and so anxious. But from what I'm hearing from you, it's not necessarily the best idea.

RITCHIE: It is a mistake. And we found that historically, to send people home too soon, POWs in general have been through just a horrific experience. They've often been beaten or tortured, they may be malnourished or starved. And it's very important to get them feeling physically and mentally ready before they step into the spotlight that return to United States is going to be.

Part of this process, which we call decompression, is not only allowing them to sleep and to eat, but also getting them ready for what they're going to face. And you're right, I'm sure they do want to get back to their family as quickly as possible, but being back in the large, joyous family gathering can be a little bit overwhelming too. So we want to do it one step at a time. And historically, we've found that people do a lot better when we do it gradually.

PHILLIPS: So talk to us about these phases of decompression, because that's what I thought. I mean, I know that's what I'd want. I'd want to be in the arms of my mom or godson or my husband. Tell us how important this decompression phase is and why it's so important not to rush going right back into the environment. RITCHIE: Sure. Well, normally, when the POW is released, they are elated and overjoyed. But they also can be overloaded by all the sensory stimulation. And so they'll have a medical and a psychological evaluation to give them a chance to make sure that they're healthy and to help educate them both about what it's going to be like to return and also about what some of their reactions may be.

There are a lot of times when POWs and other combat veterans are troubled by things like nightmares or intrusive thoughts, memories of what happened to them. And this is normal. But we want to let them know that it's normal and that it will go away over time. And again, to give them a couple days.

POWs have often been in a situation where they've been helpless and powerless, and we want to allow them to have some sense of control and independence over their lives so that they're the ones that can say when it's time to meet with the media, when it's time to go to the public ceremonies. They're going to have a big time ahead of them, but we want them to be ready for it.

PHILLIPS: My final question, the families, they have to be briefed also. What are they told? And also, is it good for these former POWs to talk about what they went through? Is it OK to go through just the memories of what they experienced?

RITCHIE: I would leave that question up to the POW. Some will want to talk about it right away and tell the story. Others may just want to share it in their own time. And that's what the families should understand.

They should give the POWs some support, they should give them their love and their affection, and they should allow them to tell their story when they're ready. And sometimes, in some cases, they never want to tell everything. And that's OK too.

PHILLIPS: Lieutenant Colonel Elspeth Cameron (ph) Ritchie, thank you for your time.

RITCHIE: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com