Alternative Treatments for Veterans Trauma

For Veterans, A Surge of New Treatments for Trauma  by Tina Rosenburg.  The New York Times.  September 26, 2012

Suicide is the leading cause of death in the army.  With rate rising and with 38 suicides in July 2012, officials are identifying causal factors and implementing new approaches.

The most prominent factor is post-traumatic stress disorder.  In Afghanistan, with repeated tours and improvised explosive devices, experts believe that there will be more PTSD.  Treatments include cognitive therapy and prolonged exposure which helps the soldier view the trauma differently.  These approaches work with about 40% of the service members.

To deal with the rest mental health is being integrated into primary care with screening to identify suffers of PTSD, depression, sleep disorders, and substance abuse.  With this effort is a program to deal with the stigma of of therapy.  Staffs are being expanded and outreach programs are being implemented.  Group sessions are helpful for some.  Alternative therapies are being tried.

Among those alternative therapies include yoga, acupuncture, and Buddhist meditation.  In one integrated program guided visual imagery, biofeedback, self-awareness, dance, self-expression, and drawing has shown results and promise.  Drop-out rates for alternative therapy programs are virtually zero.