Rocky
01-11-06, 17:06
sal; In the article below I have highlighted some portions in RED, to these portions I will add comments in Blue as to what I know related to these comments. You might find that the two, what the VA says, and my comments, do not match. It is up to the individual to determine what they believe, I am merely stating what I know to be the truth as I see it. All comments are welcome to this post and the more, perhaps the better, as we may find some ground which we can determine the TRUTH>
Mental Health Care and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
About one-third of these combat veterans who seek care from VA have a
possible diagnosis of a mental disorder, and VA has significantly
expanded its counseling and mental health services. VA has launched new
programs, including dozens of new mental health teams based in VA
medical centers focused on early identification and management of
stress-related disorders, as well as the recruitment of about 100 combat
veterans in its Readjustment Counseling Service to provide briefings to
transitioning servicemen and women regarding military-related
readjustment needs.
The VA may have expanded its new version of PTSD care but the ones that have been in place for over 30 years dealing with PTSD in Vietnam veterans, the ones that are, in my opinion, the true experts in PTSD, have had their monies cut, their staff allowed to diminish due to retirement and illness. These programs, such as the SDTU (Stress Disorder Treatment Unit i.e. PTSD Unit) are suffering from the lack of qualified staff due to budget cuts. This lack of staff has resulted in the lack of treatment that North Chicago has been able to provide. During my last trip to NC, just a few weeks ago, I learned that there were only 13 patients in the in-patient program where, normally, there are 26 patients on the unit. I, also, noted that this was due to the lack of doctors and counselors on the unit. At present there is only 2 doctors on staff in NC. There use to be no fewer than 4, sometimes 5.
Many of the challenges facing the soldiers returning from Afghanistan
and Iraq are stressors that have been identified and studied in veterans
of previous wars. VA has developed world class expertise in treating
chronic mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD).
Post-traumatic stress involves a normal set of reactions to a trauma
such as war. Sometimes it becomes a disorder with the passage of time
when feelings or issues related to the trauma are not dealt with and are
suppressed by the individual. This can result in problems readjusting
to community life following the trauma. Since the war began, VA has
activated dozens of new PTSD programs around the country to assist
veterans in dealing with the emotional toll of combat. In addition, 207
readjustment counseling "vet centers" provide easy access in
consumer-friendly facilities apart from traditional VA medical centers.
Normal, what does this term mean in the sense of combat experience? If the VA see the onset of PTSD as "NORMAL" how long will it be before PTSD is no longer a "disabling condition" under DSM but rather a 'NORMAL' reaction to combat which is not seen as a disability?
One early scientific study indicated the estimated risk for PTSD from
service in the Iraq war was 18 percent, while the estimated risk for
PTSD from the Afghanistan mission was 11 percent. Data from multiple
sources now indicate that approximately 10 to 15 percent of soldiers
develop PTSD after deployment to Iraq and another 10 percent have
significant symptoms of PTSD, depression or anxiety and may benefit from
care. Alcohol misuse and relationship problems add to these rates.
Combat veterans are at higher risk for psychiatric problems than
military personnel serving in noncombat locations, and more frequent and
more intensive combat is associated with higher risk. With military
pre- and post-deployment health assessment programs seeking to
destigmatize mental health treatment, coupled with simplified access to
VA care for combat veterans after discharge, experts believe initial
high rates likely will decrease.
Studies of PTSD patients in general have suggested as many as half may
enjoy complete remission and the majority of the remainder will improve.
Research has led to scientifically developed treatment guidelines
covering a variety of modern therapies with which clinicians have had
success. Treatments range from psychological first aid to cognitive
behavioral therapy. Psychopharmacology may include drugs such as Zoloft
or Paxil -- with newer drugs under studies now in progress. More
information about VA's PTSD programs is available at
Here is perhaps the most dangerous of statements. We know from past experience, and the VA has recognized, that PTSD is a 'CHRONIC," meaning life-long, condition, one that a person may learn to cope with to some degree in society, but not one that goes into "COMPLETE REMISSION." This is saying that PTSD can be CURED! Those of us who suffer from PTSD (I am 100% for PTSD) know that we are not 'cured,' will never be 'cured' and must learn to live life the best we can with our PTSD.
The VA is saying that new drugs have now come into play that will help with PTSD. The drugs they speak of are not new, but are old drugs that were used to treat other illnesses. Some of these drugs can have dangerous side effects on the emotional make-up of an individual. The truth is they are using veterans as 'TEST SUBJECTS' once again to test these new drugs. Note these drugs are not psychiatric drugs that have been tested and found effective, they are drugs used to treat other illnesses.
In my opinion, based on my experience with the VA, is that the VA is, once again, telling half truths, conducting a campaign of misinformation. I do not ask anyone here to take my word for it, I ask you to check into statements made by the VA before you accept them as absolute truth. It is your health and your life that we speak of here, so, please, be sure the information you receive is accurate before you rely on it.
For more on what the VA has to say go to:
http://www.va.gov/opa/fact/docs/ptsd.doc (http://www.va.gov/opa/fact/docs/ptsd.doc) and http://www.ncptsd.va.gov (http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/) .
sal;
Mental Health Care and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
About one-third of these combat veterans who seek care from VA have a
possible diagnosis of a mental disorder, and VA has significantly
expanded its counseling and mental health services. VA has launched new
programs, including dozens of new mental health teams based in VA
medical centers focused on early identification and management of
stress-related disorders, as well as the recruitment of about 100 combat
veterans in its Readjustment Counseling Service to provide briefings to
transitioning servicemen and women regarding military-related
readjustment needs.
The VA may have expanded its new version of PTSD care but the ones that have been in place for over 30 years dealing with PTSD in Vietnam veterans, the ones that are, in my opinion, the true experts in PTSD, have had their monies cut, their staff allowed to diminish due to retirement and illness. These programs, such as the SDTU (Stress Disorder Treatment Unit i.e. PTSD Unit) are suffering from the lack of qualified staff due to budget cuts. This lack of staff has resulted in the lack of treatment that North Chicago has been able to provide. During my last trip to NC, just a few weeks ago, I learned that there were only 13 patients in the in-patient program where, normally, there are 26 patients on the unit. I, also, noted that this was due to the lack of doctors and counselors on the unit. At present there is only 2 doctors on staff in NC. There use to be no fewer than 4, sometimes 5.
Many of the challenges facing the soldiers returning from Afghanistan
and Iraq are stressors that have been identified and studied in veterans
of previous wars. VA has developed world class expertise in treating
chronic mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD).
Post-traumatic stress involves a normal set of reactions to a trauma
such as war. Sometimes it becomes a disorder with the passage of time
when feelings or issues related to the trauma are not dealt with and are
suppressed by the individual. This can result in problems readjusting
to community life following the trauma. Since the war began, VA has
activated dozens of new PTSD programs around the country to assist
veterans in dealing with the emotional toll of combat. In addition, 207
readjustment counseling "vet centers" provide easy access in
consumer-friendly facilities apart from traditional VA medical centers.
Normal, what does this term mean in the sense of combat experience? If the VA see the onset of PTSD as "NORMAL" how long will it be before PTSD is no longer a "disabling condition" under DSM but rather a 'NORMAL' reaction to combat which is not seen as a disability?
One early scientific study indicated the estimated risk for PTSD from
service in the Iraq war was 18 percent, while the estimated risk for
PTSD from the Afghanistan mission was 11 percent. Data from multiple
sources now indicate that approximately 10 to 15 percent of soldiers
develop PTSD after deployment to Iraq and another 10 percent have
significant symptoms of PTSD, depression or anxiety and may benefit from
care. Alcohol misuse and relationship problems add to these rates.
Combat veterans are at higher risk for psychiatric problems than
military personnel serving in noncombat locations, and more frequent and
more intensive combat is associated with higher risk. With military
pre- and post-deployment health assessment programs seeking to
destigmatize mental health treatment, coupled with simplified access to
VA care for combat veterans after discharge, experts believe initial
high rates likely will decrease.
Studies of PTSD patients in general have suggested as many as half may
enjoy complete remission and the majority of the remainder will improve.
Research has led to scientifically developed treatment guidelines
covering a variety of modern therapies with which clinicians have had
success. Treatments range from psychological first aid to cognitive
behavioral therapy. Psychopharmacology may include drugs such as Zoloft
or Paxil -- with newer drugs under studies now in progress. More
information about VA's PTSD programs is available at
Here is perhaps the most dangerous of statements. We know from past experience, and the VA has recognized, that PTSD is a 'CHRONIC," meaning life-long, condition, one that a person may learn to cope with to some degree in society, but not one that goes into "COMPLETE REMISSION." This is saying that PTSD can be CURED! Those of us who suffer from PTSD (I am 100% for PTSD) know that we are not 'cured,' will never be 'cured' and must learn to live life the best we can with our PTSD.
The VA is saying that new drugs have now come into play that will help with PTSD. The drugs they speak of are not new, but are old drugs that were used to treat other illnesses. Some of these drugs can have dangerous side effects on the emotional make-up of an individual. The truth is they are using veterans as 'TEST SUBJECTS' once again to test these new drugs. Note these drugs are not psychiatric drugs that have been tested and found effective, they are drugs used to treat other illnesses.
In my opinion, based on my experience with the VA, is that the VA is, once again, telling half truths, conducting a campaign of misinformation. I do not ask anyone here to take my word for it, I ask you to check into statements made by the VA before you accept them as absolute truth. It is your health and your life that we speak of here, so, please, be sure the information you receive is accurate before you rely on it.
For more on what the VA has to say go to:
http://www.va.gov/opa/fact/docs/ptsd.doc (http://www.va.gov/opa/fact/docs/ptsd.doc) and http://www.ncptsd.va.gov (http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/) .
sal;