Noteboom The Law Firm

VA On Cutting Edge Of PTSD Research

November 19, 2010 - Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a body's response to experiencing a life-threatening incident; most often associated with veterans suffering from combat stress. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been, and will continue to be, focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating PTSD among military personnel. The numerous treatments available to veterans today are a direct result of the VA's past research efforts.

The National Center for PTSD research is a collection of laboratories working exclusively on PTSD research. The VA maintains studies varying from genetic causes of PTSD to looking at cutting edge treatments. The size of the studies can range from small survey groups to clinical trials covering multiple research sites.

One VA study showed extended psychotherapy sessions worked well to minimize PTSD symptoms specifically in female veterans who suffered sexual trauma while enlisted. The VA has also experimented with using virtual-reality to assist in recreating traumatic events so they can be handled in psychotherapy. These types of studies show how veterans suffering from PTSD can benefit from seeking PTS treatment.   

A more recent path of research has led the VA to look at the biochemical changes in a person's brain who has been diagnosed with PTSD. Having already seen some success in this field, there is hope that this line of research will produce constructive results. The VA is also looking at other areas of research to include natural language processing therapy as well as using the drug risperidone (often used to treat schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder) in those veterans who do not respond to anti-depressants.

The VA will continue to stay on the cutting edge of PTSD research. Although their research focuses on military personnel, their findings should be able to be easily applied to the civilian world.