Army Veteran Tom Voss Talks About the Differences Between PTSD and Moral Injury

[@aaronpaterson2694]

Thanks for sharing this. I’m a Correctional officer of 24 years just diagnosed with PTSD. I have only just learned of moral injury and so much of what you said makes sense to me. Although different fields I’ve dealt with inmates killing each other, seriously assault each other and officers, commit suicide or self harm. Then there’s the criminal actions carried out by some of my colleagues via Introducing contraband, sexual relationships with inmate etc. so bad are my feelings towards this it drove me to look at suicide and alcohol abuse. It’s been along 2 years and Only now am I starting to understand and get help.

[@Jc3intelligent]

Thank you for sharing, sir. I just recently came across a social media post where they said "philosophy is a trauma response." I spent some time working in the immigration world for various agencies, including ICE Detention, which is very much modelled after corrections and was mostly staffed by former corrections officers. I can attest to everything you've just said about being inside "society's trashcan" as I called it. It was exhausting. I didn't get the same backstories of "my mom didn't love me and my dad wasn't nice to me and I slipped through the cracks of society" bit you likely might have gotten, but I did get more of the "I literally watched the cartel blow a woman's skull open point blank with an AK because she couldn't pay to cross." type stories. All of those things, no matter how tough I might seem in the moment, did take a toll on my soul. Funnily enough, I quit and studied some philosophy. I'm reminded of A.A. Milne, the guy who wrote Winnie the Pooh, and how it was his way of explaining to his son what World War I was like and how it affected him and other survivors of the war. I think my physiological stress responses aren't as bad as they used to be. I'm not as "jumpy" anymore. Now, I'm morose and a quiet shell of who I know I would otherwise normally be. It's the emotional and mental side of the fight now that I have to deal with. Thanks for sharing.

[@matth.1797]

Thank you for sharing. I was in Iraq in 2003 and I am struggling with this now. I never heard of moral injury until today. I just thought I was broken.

[@mrsme7777]

You explained that with confidence and your lived experience just opened my eyes to something i needed to heal from the next part of ptsd......moral fucking injury!!!!! Its sooo obvious now that i watched this. Thank you, sweet man! P.s. i just sent you brotherly love photons!!!! From Canada 🇨🇦

[@gingerross9281]

Tom Voss is extremely articulate on this subject. Amazing.

[@scaryonyx]

Amazing insight. I live with my father who has a pretty severe TBI on top of Bipolar, PTSD… etc etc. This has really helped me contextualize what may be happening during his episodes.

[@JorisClaessens]

Thank you brother for this eye opener, I recognize a lot of what you talk about.

[@laskillen]

Thank you for sharing your insights Tom. I lament what has happened to you, your comrades, the people of Iraq, and anyone else that was negatively affected by those wars.

[@JameyWebster]

I was 5 years into my VA disability journey. Was being evaluated for ketamine infusion and this was the first time.inhad heard about moral injury parallel to PTSD. Moral injury definitely resonates as the primary.

[@notsure9853]

Thank you

[@jasongentile7098]

Nice...Tom.....good seeing you are doing well. GIMLETS

[@dmchez]

Sir you have a great beard 😉 thank you for sharing this info