PTSD underdiagnosed in veterans, new research finds
New research indicates that PTSD is underdiagnosed in veterans, particularly those who were not in combat roles.
Narrative Synthesis
Neutral news article compiled by integrating coverage details from all reporting stations.
New research from the charity Combat Stress has found that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being underdiagnosed in veterans, particularly those who served in non-combat roles. The findings highlight a widespread misconception that only frontline soldiers are at risk of developing the condition, leaving many former service members suffering in silence.
Veterans from Wiltshire have spoken out about their experiences, saying they felt their own trauma was not serious enough to warrant help because they were not on the front line. One of them, a man named Rome, is preparing to pull a 100-kilogram sled 50 miles along Utah Beach in Normandy to raise money for Combat Stress. The challenge is in memory of his friend and comrade Andrew Borthwick, who struggled with PTSD and took his own life in 2026. Rome said of his friend: "He was one of them old school soldiers that you think his mindset is bulletproof and he shocked a lot of people when he did that." He added that the effects of trauma can emerge years later: "That tour was probably 2012. It doesn't matter how long ago it was, it doesn't rest for some people."
The charity's research shows that the public often underestimates the risk of PTSD to those who served in non-combat roles. Although frontline combat is frequently the trigger, any veteran can experience military trauma regardless of their role or length of service.
Padre Mark Christian, who served in Iraq in 2003, described a moment when a dying child was thrust into his arms. He said: "It was obvious the child wasn't going to survive but I was powerless to do anything. But I think what really got me was the pleading look in this young girl's father's eyes as he looked at me and there was nothing I could do." Mark avoided talking about the incident for 15 years until a dinner party conversation triggered a breakdown. He later joined a group therapy session and now helps others begin their own healing.
The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan may now be history, but the psychological wounds they left behind are far from healed.
On screen
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Key Claims
Factual or political claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Combat Stress research indicates that PTSD is underdiagnosed in veterans, particularly those not in combat roles. |
Channel Perspectives
Editorial focus, emphasis angles, and key quotes from each reporting news station.
The report focuses on local veterans from Wiltshire, using personal stories to illustrate the broader research findings. It emphasises the emotional and human impact of underdiagnosed PTSD, particularly for those in non-combat roles, and highlights a fundraising challenge as a way to raise awareness. The tone is compassionate and community-focused, with a strong narrative arc linking individual experiences to the charity's research.
- “New research from the charity Combat Stress warns that PTSD is too often missed in those not in combat roles.”
- “He's one of them old school soldiers that you think his mindset is bulletproof and he shocked a lot of people when he did that.”
- “It was obvious the child wasn't going to survive but I was powerless to do anything. But I think what really got me was the pleading look in this young girl's father's eyes as he looked at me and there was nothing I could do.”
Bulletin Timeline
Chronological list of news reports tracked for this story.