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Posts Tagged ‘Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)’
Wednesday, January 4th, 2012
According to an article on Truthout, the Department of Defense (DoD) is readying itself in preparation to implement a “new safeguard” for U.S. veterans with mental and emotional health issues.
U.S. Veterans returning from combat will undergo “intensive screenings” designed to detect “mental and emotional” problems brought on by their deployments. According to recent studies, a soldier takes his or her own life every 36 hours.
A couple years ago Congress passed a law mandating every soldier undergo 3 different mental-health screenings within 2 years of returning from combat. This program was first implemented by the Montana National Guard, and proved very successful as a pilot program.
For the most part, the main concern is being able to detect post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Army has examined 400,000 troops without releasing any information as to the results yet. The DoD has added 3500 new health-care providers to its ranks to help examine combat veterans for “elevated stress levels.”
The new law required screenings be done individually every 6-months, which is how they were done in the Montana model, and not via paper questionnaire, which is how it had been done previously. Soldiers and veterans are given “personal, and private, one-on-one attention from a trained health-care provider” under the law, which includes 2-years of follow up assessments.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: Military Legislation, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), suicide prevention, Veterans disability, Veterans Mental Health
Posted in General, Iraq-Afghanistan War, US Military Legislation, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Friday, December 2nd, 2011
According to an article on EmaxHealth.com, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is working to better understand how the brain works when U.S. veterans return home suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) so as to develop better and more effective treatments.
In order to better study the brain, the VA is implementing the use of magnetoencephalography (MEG), which is high-tech imaging that displays the brains acitivty.
Researchers will test veterans who have multiple levels of impairment from PTSD and those who do not suffer from PTSD at all. The MEG technology will allow researchers to look into different and specific areas of a person’s brain and hopefully determine the “dysfunctional areas” caused by PTSD and/or TBIs.
Researchers are hoping to discover abnormalities in the brain’s function in selected patients. Should that happen, better PTSD and/or TBI treatments will likely closely follow, which is imperative considering the flood of patients the VA is going to be responsible for treating over the coming years.
The study is very timely as there is already an existing “well-defined pool of patients” who have already been evaluated, tested, and determined to have PTSD and/or TBIs.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Veterans disability
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, VA News, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Friday, September 16th, 2011
The Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System is reporting on a new program seeking to give wounded warriors and veterans a new outlook on life. The program is called the Spirit of Wounded Warriors and Veterans: Healing the Soul through Artistic Expression, which was created via a joint effort between personnel from multiple agencies and is designed to help veterans with disabilities.
Much of the focus of the program is on veterans suffering from such mental conditions as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The program itself provides veterans with a venue in which to show their personal artwork. There are no limits on the veterans that are allowed to submit their work to the program, i.e., veterans from all wars and conflicts are encouraged to apply.
Many veterans find creating art a very welcome distraction because it allows them to put their focus and concentration into something other than any present mental conditions and the symptoms associated with them. For many, this is an alternative therapy unrivaled by any other form of help.
Providing a distraction is one huge benefit, but another is veterans increasing their confidence in themselves and their art. Some have taken that initial distraction creating art seemed to provide for them and turned their artwork into full-time careers. Rebuilding confidence for disabled veterans with mental conditions is vital in their recovery.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: Alternative Therapy, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), Veterans disability
Posted in Disabled Veterans, Veterans' Resources | 2 Comments »
Friday, September 2nd, 2011
Some veterans undergoing treatment for their post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related symptoms, which can be integral parts of veterans disability claims, respond well to prescription drugs whereas others must couple those prescription drugs with counseling to see results. The beginning, baseline treatment at the majority of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers is to use prescription drugs to control PTSD symptoms, such as the anti-psychotic drug risperidone.
Risperidone, however, has been proven to be completely ineffective in treating PTSD symptoms and is “no more effective than a placebo.” This information has only recently been made available, and after the VA spent more than $700 million over the last 10 years purchasing risperidone. Originally developed to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, it has been prescribed “off label” to thousands upon thousands of veterans to help manage their PTSD symptoms.
While the VA knows this they are moving forward with a contract for an unspecified dollar amount to purchase at least 200,000 bottles of risperidone, which means roughly “20 million pills in multiple dosages.” A questionable decision not only in times where everyone is financially strapped, but a time where soldiers and veterans struggle with prescription pill abuse.
There are some serious issues with how risperidone has been marketed by some of the companies who are party to the VA contract to the extent the Justice Department has placed at least one of the companies under investigation. The marketing is directly tied to the drugs “off label” use.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Prescription Pill Abuse, Risperidone, Veterans disability
Posted in General, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 17th, 2011
Risperdal has been the second-most often prescribed “second-generation antipsychotic” in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities to treat symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But being widely prescribed is no indication as to the effectiveness of the medication. In this case, it is no indicator at all as a recent study found Risperdal ineffective in treating PTSD symptoms among veterans. This may prove to be an important issue in cases concerning veterans’ compensation.
The study lasted 6 months and covered outpatient medical centers at 23 VA facilities. Researchers tested 367 veterans and diagnosed 296 with “military-related PTSD.” Those diagnosed had reoccurring symptoms even though they were currently taking at least two “adequate antidepressant treatments,” which included selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Researchers gave patients either 4 mg of Risperdal or a placebo coupled with therapy. PTSD symptoms, which included depression and anxiety, were then measured on a mixture of scales. Final analysis of the data revealed “no significant difference” in the reduction of PTSD symptoms between the two groups after treatment lasting 6 months.
Although VA doctors routinely prescribe antidepressants to treat PTSD symptoms, the FDA has not approved any PTSD treatment regimen including psychiatric medication. According to the VA, almost 90% of all veterans diagnosed with PTSD and using pharmacotherapy to manage their symptoms are given SSRIs, which are the most regularly prescribed antidepressants.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Risperdal, veterans compensation, Veterans disability
Posted in Disabled Veterans | 2 Comments »
Thursday, July 28th, 2011
A high number of soldiers are returning from deployments with such mental health conditions as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many are having trouble being treated because of the nature of their mental conditions. Unfortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not have enough qualified therapists to treat the numerous mental issues veterans are experiencing.
Most therapists do hot have military experience, and that makes it difficult to relate to their patients who are seeking help because of their military experience. Therapists unable to provide the requisite empathy for their patients often sabotage their own attempts at therapy.
Attempts have been made to close this likely harmful gap in therapy. Some veterans’ organizations are providing training for therapists, and other organizations, like the Soldiers Project, offer free counseling from licensed counselors who are also veterans.
That there are not enough therapists with combat experience to help all the veterans needing help is not the VA’s fault. The unfortunate consequence, however, is inadequate care being provided to 1000s of veterans in need. To remedy the issues, some psychology schools are offering specialization in military issues.
Although many veterans take issue with learning how to deal with the horrible issues from which they are suffering in a classroom, the fix may very well be better than nothing. The focus of the specialization will not be recreating war experiences, however. Instead, the specialization will train psychologists on how to properly treat combat’s psychological effects.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Mental Health Conditions, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Veterans disability
Posted in Disabled Veterans, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently led a study that concluded soldiers awarded Purple Hearts lived longer than soldiers who never received the award. It’s believed Purple Heart recipients who aged without developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be able to give researchers a solid look into what makes some people resilient to combat stress.
The study evaluated over 10,000 veterans, who were atleast 65 in the 1990’s, that fought in both World War II and Korea. Researchers looked at the veterans’ survival rates through December of 2008. Medal recipients, including those with PTSD, were found to be alive at a rate of 2:1 over those non-recipients, including those with no PTSD, after 10 years of follow-ups. Also, soldiers awarded the Purple Heart, that never developed PTSD had higher mortality rates than those recipients who did develop PTSD.
Both the VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) have spent years studying psychological and neurobiological factors present in those soldiers who don’t develop PTSD. Various factors preventing the development of PTSD could be related to keeping the recipients alive for a longer period of time.
This finding runs contrary to multiple other studies, which have established links between PTSD and lower survival rates. This may be due to soldiers, who were injured in combat and developed PTSD, didn’t live to 65-years-old. This means the soldiers used for this study may have all been on the high end of healthy.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Purple Heart, Veterans disability
Posted in General, VA News | No Comments »
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
Many of the problems Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are facing are the same problem Vietnam veterans faced. Suicide rates among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are just as high as the rates among Vietnam Veterans and like Vietnam veterans, suicide has taken the lives of more soldiers than the wars themselves. Like Vietnam, veterans are returning with “invisible casualties” at rates nowhere near expected.
Living in an environment where it is not known from second to second if something will explode in front of them has led soldiers to suffer from combat trauma. That combat trauma often leads to suicides among military personnel and veterans. The current wars, which have been ongoing for 10 years, are taking heavy tolls on the mental health of all participating soldiers.
Sidney A. Lee is a veteran and activist and believes black soldiers are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than other soldiers as they are assigned to combat units in higher numbers than other soldiers. Because of the higher number of soldiers with PTSD, more black soldiers therefore take their own lives, according to Lee.
He further states black soldiers have “difficulty” scoring high on the tests that would grant them access a military occupational specialties (MOS) not associated with the front lines. He goes on to say although blacks were 11% of the U.S. population from 1965-1969, they made up 12% of all troops in Vietnam and had a 14.9% fatality rate.
Lee blames the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of neglecting the needs of black soldiers and highlights a recent lawsuit in which the plaintiffs highlight the VA’s poor care. According to Lee, black soldiers are being put in combat situations in greater numbers than they were in Vietnam, which is in turn resulting in more PTSD among their ranks.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: Combat Stress, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Veterans disability, Vietnam veterans
Posted in General, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in the middle of changing how they operate, which has improved the services offered to veterans. In order to access those services and benefits, however, veterans must be aware of them.
The VA is banking on the younger generation’s proclivity to embrace technology. The VA is using such platforms as smartphones and other “web-enabled applications” to reach out to younger veterans to alert them to the VA’s offered services and benefits.
For veterans with mental health issues, these efforts will likely prove critical. More than 400,000 veterans were given treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) last year alone. Over the last couple of years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of veterans seeking out VA provided mental health care. This is why it is so important to connect with veterans on the veterans’ terms, where they are comfortable. Many of the younger generation are comfortable in cyberspace.
Recently developed smartphone apps offer self-assessment tools for veterans’ use. It is hoped such programs will convince those veterans in need of help to seek it out, although that app was initially designed to help with managing symptoms in hard times while allowing them to track their symptoms.
The VA also added an anonymous chat feature to their crisis line, for those who feel more comfortable communicating through chat. The only way to successfully reach out to veterans where they are is to reach out in mediums with which they are comfortable. This is especially true when dealing with veterans suffering with mental conditions strongly associated with negative stigmas.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Mental Health Care, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Veterans disability
Posted in Disabled Veterans, VA News, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Thursday, April 14th, 2011
Of our 5 senses, smell is tied closer to memory than any other. Because of this, specific smells can trigger specific personal memories. Whether those memories are good or not is another story altogether. The Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the University of Central Florida (UCF) Psychology department has coupled virtual reality with olfactory stimulation in one treatment to help treat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Trauma Management Therapy Program is 17 weeks long and free to every Iraq and Afghanistan veteran.
The first 5 weeks of the program focus on exposure for the individual veteran. Research has demonstrated such exposure therapy is quite possibly the most effective PTSD treatment. Researchers simulate specific, trauma-causing combat environments with virtual reality equipment for the veteran-patients. The highly specific scenes and scents to which the veterans are exposed are tailored to every veterans’ trauma. Veterans are given devices with which they can control events that caused them trauma so as to give researchers insight into their root issues.
Other elements such as sights, sounds, and the weather are controlled by the researcher. The smells to which the veteran can be exposed include:
- weapon fire;
- body odor;
- burning rubber;
- diesel fuel;
- Moroccan spices;
- garbage; and
- cordite.
Researchers are able to measure varying levels of anxiety once the veterans are completely absorbed and engrossed in the scene. Over the weeks, the veterans’ response to the treatment is monitored. If progress is made, the veterans are moved into group therapy for the final 12 weeks of the program, which deals with emotional issues stemming from the trauma-causing incident.
This is the first research program utilizing smells with virtual reality on this scale. Early reports are positive.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Exposure Therapy, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Veterans disability
Posted in General, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
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