More veterans are screening positive for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even as measures of suicide risk and alcohol-use disorder show modest improvement, according to a large new study of more than 3.6 million veterans receiving care through the VA.
MRI-Guided TMS Improves Outcomes in Combat-Related PTSD Trial
Combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most difficult mental health conditions to treat among military personnel and veterans. Although trauma-focused psychotherapies help many patients recover, some continue to experience severe symptoms despite intensive treatment.
PTSD Symptoms Reduced by Adding Stellate Ganglion Block to CPT
In military personnel and veterans, adding a stellate ganglion block to cognitive processing therapy significantly reduced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and helped these individuals recover more quickly, according to a recent study.
PTSD Symptoms Reduced by Adding Stellate Ganglion Block to CPT
In military personnel and veterans, adding a stellate ganglion block to cognitive processing therapy significantly reduced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and helped these individuals recover more quickly, according to a recent study.
Female and Older Veterans Face Unique Cardiovascular Challenges
Women veterans face a constellation of cardiovascular risks that diverge sharply from their civilian counterparts, and older male veterans carry their own burdens of frailty, social isolation, and service-connected exposures that complicate cardiac care.
Servicemembers, Veterans Are Quitting Psychotherapy Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Nearly a quarter of servicemembers and veterans who are being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) quit psychotherapy before they finish treatment, and some key therapies have the highest dropout rates, according to a recent study.
VA Research Identifies Effective Strategies for Primary Care Teams Treating PTSD
Primary care clinicians are often the first point of contact for people living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet little research has examined how PTSD treatments perform in routine primary care settings.
DBT Possibly More Effective for Veterans With Co-Morbid BPD, PTSD
For patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is considered a frontline treatment for reducing impulsivity and suicidality and improving emotion regulation, according to a new study.
Possible Link Found Between TBI, Faster Biological Aging in Post-9/11 Veterans
Post-9/11 veterans with a history of lifetime or deployment-related traumatic brain injury could be at increased risk of accelerated biological aging, placing them in jeopardy of developing many chronic diseases, according to a recent study.
Legislators Advocate for VA to Research Products Like Cannabis, Psilocybin for PTSD, TBI Treatment
As Congress works toward an FY 2026 VA budget, legislators are advocating for more discussion and research into alternative therapies like cannabis and psilocybin, highlighting the growing acceptance of federally-proscribed drugs as treatment options.
New Study Finds Strongest Links Yet Between PTSD, Cardiovascular Disease
Post-traumatic stress disorder has been determined to increase cardiovascular risk, but the connection is not fully understood.
PTSD Might Be Parkinson’s Disease Risk Factor
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appears to be a risk factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a new study of veterans.
PTSD Might Be Parkinson’s Disease Risk Factor
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appears to be a risk factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a new study of veterans.
Prolonged Exposure Plus Topiramate Improved PTSD Symptoms, AUD
A combination of prolonged exposure (PE) and topiramate, a medication developed to treat seizures, was more effective than PE and placebo in lessening posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, according to a new study.
Peer Support Program Benefited Well-Being of Women Veterans, Decreased PTSD, Depression
Women veterans who participated in a peer-led, social support group showed improvements in well-being outcomes, including a greater sense of belonging, higher quality of life and decreased post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, according to a recent study.
PTSD in Veterans With HIV Leads to More Antiretroviral Therapy Nonadherence
In veterans with HIV, having post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increased the likelihood of being nonadherent with their HIV treatment and requiring modification to their HIV treatment, according to a recent study.
First-Line PTSD Therapies Lower Veteran Suicide Risk, but Fewer Than 9% Receive Them
Suicide prevention is the top clinical priority of the VA. Given the higher prevalence of PTSD among veterans and its strong association with veteran suicide risk, it is essential to evaluate whether and how the treatments veterans receive for PTSD through the VA are influencing that risk.
For the First Time in More Than 50 Years, VA Funds Research on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for PTSD, AUD
For the first time in more than 50 years, the VA will fund a study on psychedelic-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol-use disorder among veterans.
Higher Psychosocial Well-Being at Time of Trauma Reduces PTSD Risk
Victims of traumatic events with higher well-being in three areas—vocational well-being, financial well-being and social well-being—are less likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a recent study.
Understanding the Underuse of Mental Healthcare by U.S. Servicemembers
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common mental health conditions among U.S. servicemembers, yet only a fraction of those affected pursue mental healthcare services. An even smaller proportion receive adequate levels of care.
Identification of PTSD as a Parkinson’s Disease Risk Factor Could Allow Targeting of Preventive Treatment
VA researchers investigating risk factors for Parkinson’s disease (PD) have identified a strong link between the progressive brain disease and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Psychotherapy Beneficial When Veterans With PTSD Have a SUD
Is it beneficial for VA to provide evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and co-occurring substance use disorder?
Stimulating a Target Brain Circuit Holds Promise for Treating PTSD
Scientists studying post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been puzzled by several mysteries surrounding the condition, such as why military personnel with severe brain injuries are less likely to develop PTSD compared to those without any brain injury or why a neurostimulation therapy that has proven helpful for other mental health disorders actually worsened PTSD in some studies.
How PTSD, Cognitive Decline Affect Veterans’ Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarkers
While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are independent risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia, the association of their interaction on AD biomarkers has not been clear.
Microvascular Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Drop When PTSD Resolves in Veterans
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has a range of adverse effects in veterans, and about 7% are affected at some point in their lifetimes. A recent study puts a spotlight on an unexpected co-morbidity—worsening Type 2 diabetes (T2D) outcomes.
New Research Finds Service Dogs Beneficial for Veterans With PTSD
The VA covers the veterinary care and the equipment costs of service dogs for veterans with physical disabilities such as blindness or vision impairment, but the use of service dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues has remained controversial.
Psychiatric, Health Factors Should Be Considered in Veterans With Cognitive Decline
While cognitive decline in older people often raises suspicion of early Alzheimer’s disease, a new VA study underscores the importance of considering how factors beyond Alzheimer’s—including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain and sleep difficulties—might also impact cognition in older veterans.
Critics Strongly Condemn New VA/DoD Guideline on PTSD Treatment
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.