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Returning vets may face another battle Published: May 06, 2009 By Nicholas Langhorne Making the transition from a dangerous war zone back to normal family life can be a mental challenge for any war veteran. However, the estimated 12 to 20 percent of Army combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder face an even more difficult challenge, according to Dr. John Beneseck, director of the PTSD program at Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond. According to the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, the condition can be caused by any traumatic experience during which an individual felt that their life or the lives of others around them were in danger. They may also feel like they lack control over what happens to them. The nature of war makes combat veterans susceptible to developing the disorder. “The number one technique we use is education,” Beneseck said. “Let them know that this is a pretty normal reaction.” On average, McGuire treats between 1,000 and 1,200 veterans for PTSD every year, according to Beneseck. That number includes veterans from current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as Vietnam, Korean and Gulf War veterans. “We’re getting some people who have just heard about what PTSD is,” Beneseck said about the Vietnam and Korean War veterans who are just now seeking treatment. The PTSD treatment offered at McGuire includes a 10-week course and therapy, in group sessions and individually, but the specific program is tailored to the needs of individual patients. Beneseck says that the program tries to teach veterans how to deal with the situations that led to their PTSD now—to try and keep the condition manageable. Left untreated, PTSD, and other stress-related disorders can affect a veteran’s ability to function, as well as their families. “PTSD is a chronic condition,” he said. “The key is maintenance.” Beneseck says that the severity of PTSD varies from patient to patient, ranging from mild instances to more severe cases where the condition can be so debilitating that a person is unable to carry out regular activities—such as working a job. The current economic recession isn’t helping the condition of veterans suffering from PTSD. Layoffs and foreclosures are looming over many American’s heads, and veterans are no different. “It’s a multifaceted thing,” Beneseck said. “All of those things can play in and affect PTSD.” The involvement of veterans’ family members is an important factor in treating PTSD, according to Beneseck. “They are affected as much as the veteran,” he said. Gov. Timothy Kaine recently announced the award of $1.7 million dollars in grants for veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserves not on active duty who are suffering from combat-related head injuries and stress disorders through Virginia’s Wounded Warrior Program. The Wounded Warrior Program was created by the 2008 General Assembly to ensure that services to veterans and their families are readily available in all areas of the state, according to a press release from the governor’s office. The $190,000 piece of funding that Central and Southside Virginia, including Chesterfield County, will receive from the grants will help community service boards and other service providers in the region implement a “no wrong door” approach, meaning they will all collaborate and be able to tell veterans exactly where to go for the specific services they need, according to Arnold Woodruff, the Region IV Reinvestment Program Manager. Woodruff says that the funding will also help form virtual gathering places for veterans and their families using various Web tools and social networking sites, including Facebook. “This generation relies on those technologies,” Woodruff said. “They can form their own support groups.” Woodruff says that the Wounded Warrior funding is important because veterans often don’t qualify for help from community mental health centers and many National Guard members have trouble getting help from Veteran’s Affairs. Despite the fact that Army suicides reached a 27-year high last year, Beneseck said that the resources available for veterans are “adequate.” He added that PTSD does raise the risk of suicide slightly, but there is a 24-hour suicide hotline. “We try to stay close to our veterans,” he said. “There is a lot of reluctance to come in and get help, but it’s the best thing you can do.” Information from the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms of PTSD •Avoiding situations that remind you of the event •Feeling numb •Feeling keyed up (also called hyper arousal) People with PTSD may also have other problems. These include: (7) Comments • Email This Article |
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