This soldier's wife said he was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and also struggled with alcohol and depression.

"I think my leaving and his son's leaving and everything piling up at once he just felt overwhelmed and had a freak out," said the wife in a phone interview with KGMB9.

She said while he was serving in Iraq two close friends in his batallion were killed.

"Him seeing that, he tries to act like it doesn't bother him but obviously seeing someone you're close to, you're trained to not let it affect you, but everyone is human and it does affect them," the wife said.

"No one goes to combat without being affected some way. This is not a matter of weakness," said Dr. Kenneth Hirsch, Spark Matsunaga VA Medical Center.

The man's wife said he seemed suicidal after getting a DUI in March.

He got counseling after she reported her concerns to his superiors but then came the breaking point about two weeks ago.

"We had a really big fight and he got violent. He broke our television in our living room which of course gave me a little fright and I left that night," the wife said.

Dr. Kenneth Hirsch works with those suffering from traumatic stress disorders.

He estimates up to 20 percent of returnees have PTSD or some other anxiety disorder and he expects that number to rise.

"You're sleep deprived, you're anxious, you're afraid you're going to hurt someone, you're angry at people because they bring up all these emotions," Hirsch said.

During the standoff, the soldier cut both his wrists, and threatened to kill himself.

Nationwide, the number of army suicides is rising.

One-hundred-fifteen troops committed suicide in 2007 compared to 102 the previous year.

That's a record high.

"Mental health in general has a lot of stigma and that works against us getting honest answers even though more and more people are coming in, being treated, and being able to remain on active duty," Hirsch said.

"I'm just hoping that you know this time will finally kick in that he really, really does need help and he will take what is being offered to him," the wife said.

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