Noteboom The Law Firm

San Francisco VA Working to treat PTSD

June 8, 2010 - The current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are putting stressors on soldiers never before seen. Many soldiers are being deployed multiple times and the mental repercussions can be evidenced at most Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) waiting rooms.

Dr. Seal works at the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and developed The Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Integrated Care Clinic. This is a one-stop-shopping clinic for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan suffering from various mental ailments but usually PTSD.

Because of their specialized work in the area, the San Francisco VA is carving out its own little niche in PTSD treatment. With the simple goal of helping veterans feel better, Dr. Seal works alongside not just other doctors but:

• Combat specialists;
• Physical therapists;
• Pain experts; and
• Neuropsychologists.

Of the 1.9 million soldiers that have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, approximately 1/3 have suffered from PTSD. We are learning more about PTSD on a daily basis. While we do not yet have a complete grip on it, we know symptoms include:  

• Irritability;
• Anger;
• Emotional numbing;
• Depression;
• Outbursts;
• Isolation;
• Avoidance;
• Hyper vigilance; and
• Nightmares.

 Research has shown veterans suffering from PTSD are almost 3 times as likely to be at risk for health problems like cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Almost 17% of those have also suffered brain injuries, which cause symptoms like sleep disturbances, headaches, and poor balance.

A vast amount of the veterans who begin VA treatment for PTSD never finish their treatments. The San Francisco VA recently developed a new therapy program and added the necessary personnel to make sure it is done correctly. They are also studying new, state-of-the-art techniques for treating PTSD. Hopefully they will see positive results and their work will filter through the rest of the VA medical clinics.