Blast from the Past discussion

We have hit post WWI times, what themes are you seeing with returning soldiers. How do you feel that the soldiers were treated when they came back to America? Do you see similar themes in today's society (we are still in a war in the Middle East...people seem to forget!). What are Addie's thoughts in post war time? How is her "working" girl status affecting her? Have any of her attitudes changed?

Ugh, Ernie!! That poor man was really suffering with some serious PTSD issues. Of course back then too you had to "be a man" so you couldn't cry or talk about your feelings. I wondered and I could be wrong, but Diamant wrote that Ernie had been sent to a sanatorium to live out the rest of his days, but did she mean asylum?? Sanatoriums were more for TB patients, but of course maybe he got TB. Yikes, wouldn't want to live in either during those times.

Addie has just decided to become a writer, and I am so excited to see what she does with it!!

Yes the soldiers returning was so sad especially how Diamant commented that back then they did not talk about things and bottling up PSTD. Tough times in so many aspects.

I like how Addie is really starting to branch out on her own and finally can get some space from her verbally abusive Mother. I love how Miss Chevalier is like Addie’s fairy godmother! And hopefully this job at the newspaper is the start of something really good for her 🤞🏻

So many returning soldiers from that era didn't receive proper treatment. Maybe because doctors just wasn't sure how to treat them so they just put them in isolation from society. Today, things have advanced so much but I still feel so many soldiers may hesitate seeking treatment they need for PTSD because there is still a negative stigma that hangs on with the diagnosis. But I'm so glad there is better treatments out there today for our soldiers.

Addie is becoming such an independent woman. I'm so glad she decided to live on her own, away from her family. Her mother is such a toxic person and I know she feels so much freedom away from such a negative person. Looks like she is about to launch into her new writing career. So happy to watch her blossom.

Patricia wrote: "So many returning soldiers from that era didn't receive proper treatment. Maybe because doctors just wasn't sure how to treat them so they just put them in isolation from society. Today, things hav..."

I think the unfortunate thing for soldiers with PTSD is that A) there is a huge mental health practitioner shortage and B) the only people that can help soldiers with their trauma are other soldiers. I do hope that more soldiers will become training in counseling to help meet the needs of those returning from war, or you know, we could just not have war, but I'm assuming that wars will continue forever unfortunately.