Living With Toxic Wounds: The Voices and Visual Self-Representations of Gulf War Veterans.

This article focuses on the lived experiences of veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI), a chronic condition affecting approximately 30% of those deployed during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm over 30 years ago. Through qualitative interviews and an artistic collage elicitation with 40 veterans, the study identified five key themes: pervasive challenging symptoms impacting all life areas, ongoing uncertainties about GWI's causes and diagnosis, inconsistent treatment quality, coping strategies including self-advocacy and veteran identity, and a critical need for acknowledgment and validation from healthcare providers and institutions. The use of art elicitation revealed additional emotional and experiential nuances not captured in verbal interviews, highlighting its potential as a supportive tool. The study underscores the importance of improved clinical recognition, provider education, and tailored support—especially for female veterans—and calls for a unified case definition to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and policy for GWI.