“But Meanwhile the Dead Poison Us and Those Who Come after Us”: The Presence of Ghosts in Veterans’ Writing and Art and the Implications for Medical Professionals

This article reviews the depiction of the ghost in veterans’ writing (and some art) from World War I to the present. The author demonstrates that the depiction of various forms of the ghost is a prevalent image in poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. The author further contends that if the therapist/clinician treating PTSD is aware of the forms of the ghost his/her treatment protocols will be enhanced. The author believes that it is essential that psychological/psychiatric approaches to treating PTSD be complemented by reference to literature, visual art, and other creative forms.