VA doctors helping veterans cope with Ft. Hood massacre BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WZZM) - Mental health specialists say the slaughter at Ft. Hood, TX is causing stress and anxiety at the VA Medical Center in Battle Creek. "It effects this population very greatly," says psychologist Dr. William Bloem. "I've had some patients come in who were upset," says psychiatrist Dr. Nazzareno Legghio. "They have had some flashbacks." The doctors at the Battle Creek mental health facility say they and their patients are spending much of the time since the massacre wondering 'why'? "I think there is going to be a big need to understand what precipitated this and what was going on with this person," says Dr. Bloem. Shooting suspect 39-year old Major Nadal Malik Hasan was a doctor - a psychiatrist. "It's a tragedy. He was a mental health care provider who we want people to trust," says Dr. Bloem. "It's friendly fire," says Dr. Legghio. "This person is supposed to be on the same team." According to acquaintances Major Hasan was depressed because he was scheduled to leave for Iraq later this month. He knew through his patients the psychological trauma war can cause and he dreaded deployment. "This kind of response to that is very much in the extreme and unusual and not representative of our military personnel as a whole," points out Dr. Bloem. Major Hasan was also a devout Muslim. Some witnesses say he prayed to Allah while shooting dozens of nearby soldiers and civilians. It is not known if he was motivated by religious beliefs. "Everyone has their ideology and their thoughts of how the world should be," says Dr. Legghio. "It's hard to monitor every person." Although he was shot several times, Major Hasan is expected to survive, but doctors say he is still not well enough to answer questions about his motive. 13 people were killed and 30 wounded Thursday when investigators say Major Hasan opened fire at a busy processing center on Ft. Hood.
11/7/2009 12:11:22 AM