The reintegration of POWs into American society became more of a problem than the reintegration of other veterans of similar age and time of duty that were not captured. This was due to a condition called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of PTDS include long lasting and severe depression, memory lapses, decreased ability to concentrate, interrupted sleep cycles, and problems with employment and marriage. In most cases, PTSD was caused from mistreatment, torture, starvation, illness and even rape. Since sexual violence was a common form of torture, an increased rate of cervical cancer, HIV, and AIDS were found in POWs returning from war. About 15 to 25 percent of Vietnam veterans (between 500,00 and 700,00) suffered from PTSD. Along with them men, about 11,500 women who served in the war (90 percent as nurses) returned with PTSD.
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