Traumatic Brain Injuries and PTSD

In addition to the wounds on his legs, McBride suffered a mild case of traumatic brain injury, one of the estimated 320,000 service members who may have experienced such injuries during deployment, according to a 2008 Rand Corporation study.

Prior to the mortar incident, when he was home on leave during the summer, McBride suffered bouts of post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. He experienced sleeplessness, flashbacks and nightmares but said he has not had repeat episodes since he was wounded.

The Rand Corporation says McBride is hardly unique and that nearly 20 percent of military personnel returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, about 300,000 soldiers, have symptoms of PTSD or major depression. (source)