The new VA/DoD posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) clinical practice guideline, published late last year, has drawn strong criticism from some experts in the field.
Psychedelics to Treat PTSD Now Getting Bipartisan Congressional Support
After decades of being considered fringe science by lawmakers, research into psychedelics for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is finding bipartisan support in Congress.
New VA Podcast Explores Use of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies for PTSD
Marine and Army veteran Jonathan Leubecky suffered from PTSD and several suicide attempts following deployment to Iraq. His first attempt to take his life was only two months after his return home in 2006.
Program Miles Helped Create Teaches Veterans How to Process Emotions
Psychotherapy is never easy, especially for a veteran being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Being asked to recall and dissect the most traumatic moments in your life can be an arduous task for anyone.
Dog Ownership Reduces Cardiovascular Risks in Many but Not All Veterans
Owning a dog reduces the rates of a range of cardiovascular and related diseases in veterans, according to a new study.
PTSD More Likely in Deployed Servicemembers With Childhood Abuse History
Military servicemembers with a history of physical, emotional or sexual abuse in childhood appear to be at a greater risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if they are deployed to conflict zones.
Genetics Play a Role in Severe PTSD in Some Deployed Soldiers
The risk for specific soldiers to have severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appears to far predate their deployment. In fact, some military personnel are born with it, according to a new study.
Outpatient Prolonged Exposure Therapy Is Effective for Combat-Related PTSD
Outpatient prolonged exposure therapy, a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches individuals to gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings and situations, is a fast and effective treatment for combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in active-duty military and veterans, according to a new study.
Stimulant Use Could Be a Key Factor in Heart Failure Development
Chronic heart failure affects an estimated 5% of veterans in the VA Health System, and annual mortality in heart failure patients is 15%
Factors Making PTSD More Likely After TBI
Why do some military servicemembers with traumatic brain injury (TBI) develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, while others do not?
Hepatitis C Drugs Show Promise in Reducing PTSD Symptoms in Veterans
Direct-acting antivirals used in the treatment of the hepatitis C virus might improve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), potentially offering a new therapeutic option for a prevalent disease with few approved medications, according to a new study.
PTSD Appears to Accelerate Multiple Sclerosis Progression for Veterans
An unfortunate confluence of events puts a significant number of veterans at higher risk of both multiple sclerosis and post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTSD). Agent Orange and other exposures make multiple sclerosis (MS) a presumptive condition for those who have served, while combat experience, higher rates of sexual assault and other factors increase the likelihood of PTSD among veterans.
How Do Service Dogs Help PTSD Symptoms in Veterans?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impacts 11-20% of Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans and can have a significant effect on quality of life.
GI Symptoms, IBS Are More Prevalent Among Veterans with PTSD
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a syndrome characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits.
Adverse Health Outcomes Vary by Soldiers’ Specialized Combat Experiences
Experiencing combat during deployment has been associated with adverse health outcomes including mental health problems, sleep problems and alcohol misuse.
Is Heart Rate Variation an Accurate Biomarker for PTSD?
Could heart rate variability be an indicator of when a form of transcranial magnetic stimulation would be effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder?
Economic Burden of PTSD Is ‘Staggering,’ New Treatments Needed
PTSD can have a profound effect on quality of life and emotional well-being. Symptoms such as nightmares, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, as well as thoughts of self-harm can continue or reemerge throughout life.
Acute Stress Reactions Can Endanger Military Combat Teams, Others
A recent report from military researchers put the spotlight on combat-related acute stress reactions (ASRs) in servicemembers.
Anger Contributes to PTSD Sleep Disorders
Anger is a major contributor to sleep problems among military servicemembers with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy Showed Some Advantages in Treating PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a prevalent and serious mental health problem among veterans. Of the veterans who received VA healthcare in 2019, 12.1% had PTSD, including 26.5% of veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan.
What Are Associations Among Panic Attacks, PTSD and SUDs in Veterans?
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been estimated to affect 12.9% of U.S. veterans, compared to the lifetime risk of PTSD in the general population which is estimated at 6.8%.
Sleep, Mental Health Surveys Useful for Seizure Patients
How useful are mental health and sleep screening questionnaires for patients admitted to a seizure monitoring unit?
Knowing MST Background Can Help Improve Care for Veterans
Military sexual trauma is on the increase, and more and more data is linking it to serious physical health problems.
Anxiety Sensitivity Linked to PTSD Among Women Who’ve Experienced MST
Anxiety isn’t just mental. It can also cause physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations, sweaty palms or shortness of breath. Anxiety sensitivity reflects the belief that those bodily sensations are harmful and dangerous.
Military Sexual Trauma Appears to Be a Risk Factor for Hypertension
Young and middle-age veterans who experienced sexual harassment and assault during military service are at an increased risk for hypertension and, potentially, its cardiovascular complications, a new study suggested.
PTSD Can Worsen Dying Experience for Veterans Facing End of Life
Most veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder don’t just age out of it. At their end of life, veterans with PTSD often frequently exhibit irritability with their caregivers, sleep problems, nightmares, anxiety, guilt, lack of acceptance and restlessness, according to recent research.
Battlefield Blast Exposure Linked to Mental Health Effects
Chronic mental health symptoms including post-traumatic stress, depression and neurobehavioral issues increase proportionately with blast exposure severity, according to a new study.
Lang Tests Alternative Methods to Help Veterans Recover From PTSD
Every veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder has a different experience—a different collection of symptoms, interacting in ways unique to that veteran’s life and experience.
Veteran Suicides Dropped in Latest Statistics, Reversing Steady Increases
According to VA’s 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, veteran suicides dropped in 2019, reversing the steady rise seen in previous years.
PTSD Medications Change Over Time in VHA
What medications tend to be prescribed for veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and how has that changed over time?