Noteboom The Law Firm

Loma Linda VA Reporting Higher Rates of PTSD

March 18, 2010 - Coming home doesn't end the war for everyone. More veterans than ever suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) upon returning from combat. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that may develop following exposure to a horrifying event that included serious physical or psychological harm.

Symptoms of PTSD can include:

• Invasive and disturbing memories;
• Hallucinogenic flashbacks;
• Nightmares;
• Irritability and anger; and
• Hyper-vigilance.

 In the last year alone, 49,637 patients suffering from PTSD were treated at the Loma Linda Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center. Since 2005, the amount of patients the Loma Linda VA medical center being treated for PTSD is up 114%. This rise in the amount of veterans suffering from PTSD is due largely in part to the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 The increase, however, also includes many Vietnam veterans approaching retirement that are still haunted by their war time experiences. For many, the stigma attached to treatment or therapy for mental illness prevented them from getting help sooner.

The attitude in today's military and VA about PTSD is very different in troops returning from the current wars than when Vietnam veterans returned to the states. Prior to leaving the combat zone, soldiers are subjected to health assessments and are expected to follow up with the VA within 90 days.

Soldiers, however, will often refuse to mention symptoms of PTSD for fear of being declined discharge and held back for treatment. The recovery time from experiencing a traumatic event averages 3 -6 months but that recovery does not always happen. The VA's goal is to connect with people before the trauma reaction surfaces.  

The VA currently offers group therapy and anger management classes in the hopes of helping veterans cope with their PTSD. The VA is evolving these classes to better fit schedules for working veterans.

Additionally, new classes are being offered to the children of parents suffering from PTSD. In an effort to use every possible avenue to help veterans, the VA is developing programs focusing on unconventional therapy to aid in trauma recovery.