Post-Traumatic Stress and Depression After War Service

Rand has just released a new independent study entitled, "The Invisible Wounds of War:  Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery."  They studied U.S. troops who have survived bombs and other traumatic aspects of active combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. They surveyed 1965 service members of all military branches, including those still in the military and those who have completed their service. 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080418/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/troops_mental_health

Here are a few of their findings: 

1.  Roughly 1 in 5 now suffers from major depression or post-traumatic stress (an estimated 300,000).

2. As many or more report possible brain injuries from explosions or other head wounds.

3.  Only about 1/2 of those with mental health problems have sought treatment. 

4.  Those who did not get help gave the following reasons:  worrying about the side effects of medications, believing family or friends could help them with the problem, or fearing that seeking treatment might damage their careers.

These findings are quite disturbing, especially when you add to these numbers the toll the injuries take on the families of our veterans. 

Col. Loree Sutton of the Pentagon said that the Rand study was a welcome addition to the work defense officials are already doing.  They are currently adding thousands more mental health professionals to address these wartime demands of military personnel and their families.

Whether your trauma occurred in the military or in a personal tragedy, PTSD can be treated.  However, it is best treated when treated early.  Don't let stigma keep you away from seeking the help of a mental health professional who is competent to work with you after traumatic life events.

For additional help with PTSD, read my book (see below), or do a search in the Articles Library of my website, www.DrBevSmallwood.com.

Dr. Bev Smallwood; Author, This Wasn't Supposed to Happen to Me:  10 Make-or-Break Choices When Life Steals Your Dreams and Rocks Your World