How Do PTSD Interventions Help Military Veterans Recover?
About 7% of all military veterans have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD. PTSD in veterans can have a profound impact on their lives, negatively impacting their ability to function day-to-day, hold down employment, and make meaningful social connections. This condition can potentially lead to other mental health concerns such as substance abuse, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Thankfully, PTSD intervention for veterans is available to help former military personnel process through their trauma and learn how to manage their symptoms.
How Does Combat Trauma Manifest as PTSD?
Military personnel who see combat can experience many events that can be very distressing. A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology reports that veterans who are exposed to trauma related to combat are at an increased risk of experiencing stress-related disorders, such as PTSD.
Causes of combat trauma include:
Seeing someone become severely injured or die
Personally experiencing a traumatic injury
Having to kill or wound someone
Exposure to battlefields with destruction and/or death
Fear and anxiety of being in a combat area
Poor sleep and inability to rest in a combat zone
Combat trauma can lead to PTSD when a military veteran:
Reexperiences upsetting events through flashbacks
Has disturbed sleep due to nightmares regarding their distressing memories
Avoids places or people that might remind them of a traumatic combat event
Refuses to talk about their military experiences
Sustains negative thoughts and feelings about themselves, such as guilt or shame
Withdraws from others and has a hard time forming and keeping relationships
Experiences mood swings or anger outbursts
Has issues with memory or concentration
Why Is Early Intervention Critical for Veterans With PTSD?
Just like any health condition, the earlier a military veteran can access services for mental health treatment in California for PTSD, the better their outcomes will be. This is why early PTSD intervention for veterans is so necessary.
Many military professionals may have symptoms of PTSD as soon as they return home. Research published in The British Journal of Clinical Psychology reported that about 25% of people with PTSD show symptoms within one month of experiencing a traumatic event.
In addition to helping improve treatment outcomes, early intervention for PTSD can help:
Prevent the worsening of symptoms
Ward off the development of additional mental health concerns
Provide much-needed support
Decrease the risk of long-term mental health challenges
Ensure veterans can have a healthy daily life
Types of PTSD Treatments
PTSD treatments provide the tools veterans need to manage their symptoms, lower their risk for complications, and function as best they can in their everyday lives. Types of therapies sometimes used for PTSD include:
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) — A type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) designed to specifically treat PTSD.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) — Helps veterans work through memories and emotions related to trauma.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) — Allows military veterans to confront and process their combat trauma.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) — Non-invasive therapy that stimulates the brain using magnetic pulses.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) — Teaches mindfulness, emotional regulation, and coping strategies for distressing thoughts or situations.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) — Prescribes medications for PTSD, normally in conjunction with psychological therapy.
Medically-Assisted Detox — Helps veterans work through substance abuse issues.
Group and Family Therapies — Support for veterans undergoing treatment for PTSD and their loved ones.
All of these PTSD treatments for veterans can help:
Reduce PTSD symptoms
Provide coping skills for triggers
Teach veterans how to regulate their emotions
Enhance cognitive skills such as concentration and memory
Improve relationships with family, friends, and coworkers
Encourage healthy mental and physical health
What Can Happen If PTSD Goes Untreated in Veterans?
PTSD can have an extremely negative impact on a veteran’s life. Not only does it make it hard for them to function daily and stay socially connected, but if left untreated, it can lead to other mental health issues such as substance abuse, anxiety, and depression.
Untreated PTSD can even lead to physical health issues, including:
High blood pressure
Chronic pain
Heart problems
High cholesterol
Digestive system issues
Type 2 diabetes
Breathing issues
Arthritis
If they do not seek help in overcoming mental health struggles among veterans, they can increase their risk for suicide and have a lower life expectancy. A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders reported that up to 54% of suicides are attributable to people with PTSD.
Can Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Help Treat PTSD?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a newer treatment for mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), migraine, and anxiety, as well as PTSD.
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, which was the largest study of TMS with U.S. military veterans to date, found that 65.3% of veterans with PTSD demonstrated a clinically meaningful reduction in their symptoms. And 46.1% no longer met the PTSD threshold criteria after receiving TMS.
TMS is a noninvasive and painless treatment that does not involve needles or surgical cutting. During the treatment, magnetic coils are placed on specific head areas, generating magnetic pulses. These pulses generate an electric current that passes into targeted areas of the brain to either turn neurons “on” or “off.”
For example, a therapist may use TMS to target the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which manages emotions and mood. Or it can help desensitize the amygdala—the area of the brain associated with fear response, which is known to become hyperactive with PTSD.
Some of the benefits that TMS treatment for PTSD intervention for veterans can offer include:
Decreased strength of traumatic memories
Reduced flashbacks and nightmares
Improved mood
Lowered depression and anxiety
Increased energy
Boosted concentration and memory
Better sleep quality
Most people who undergo TMS for PTSD have a series of outpatient treatments over a few weeks, with each session lasting around 20 minutes. They often receive TMS in addition to other therapies and medications. Side effects for TMS are rare and very mild, such as scalp tingling or headache.
Key Takeaways on PTSD Intervention for Veterans
About 7% of all military veterans have PTSD.
Trauma related to combat can lead to PTSD in military veterans.
Early intervention for PTSD is essential to help veterans get the treatment they need for the best possible outcomes.
Untreated PTSD can make it hard for veterans to function in their daily lives and can lead to other health issues, both mentally and physically.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is one of several therapies that can be used to help treat PTSD.
At Moment of Clarity in Southern California, we are dedicated to helping the brave men and women who defend our country and provide us with the freedoms we enjoy every day. Our PTSD Intervention for Veterans program provides personalized treatments tailored to meet your specific health needs. Whether you need assistance with PTSD or other mental health conditions, Moment of Clarity is here to help you get the treatment you need to reintegrate and enjoy your civilian life fully.
If you have further questions regarding our PTSD treatment for veterans, contact Moment of Clarity today at 949-625-0564 to learn more.
