November 8, 2010 – Terry Gross, host of National Public Radio‘s Fresh Air
Terry Gross talks to Jon Alpert and Ellen Goosenberg, directors of the new documentary about PTSD called “Wartorn: 1861-2010,” aired on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11, 2010 on HBO. It’s about how the recognition and treatment of PTSD has changed from the Civil War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Wartorn” uses historical letters, photos and film, as well as contemporary interviews, some of which were conducted by James Gandolfini. Alpert and Goosenberg also collaborated on the HBO documentary “Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq.”
Before it was called PTSD, soldiers traumatized in war were described as “shell-shocked” or “battle-fatigued.”
Listen to broadcast or read complete transcript of interview.