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PTSD in Active Combat Soldiers: To Treat or Not to Treat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2021

Bethany C. Wangelin  and
Peter W. Tuerk
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Extract

Treatment of military-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a major public health care concern. Since 2001 over 2.5 million troops have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, many of whom have experienced direct combat and sustained threat. Estimates of PTSD rates related to these wars range from 8% to over 20%, or 192,000 to 480,000 individuals. Already, nearly 250,000 service members of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) have sought VA health care services for PTSD. This recent increased need for mental health services comes in addition to the ongoing needs of Vietnam-era and other veterans who continue to suffer from PTSD. PTSD is related to high co-morbidities of other mental health difficulties, poorer physical health status, and increased medical care utilization. Such high demand for services is an important contributor to the large cost associated with combat-related PTSD. Accordingly, promoting successful, cost-effective treatment strategies for PTSD is a chief public health care priority.

Type
Symposium
Information
Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics , Volume 42 , Issue 2 , Summer 2014 , pp. 161 - 170
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics 2014

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