Very Few Combat Stress Vets Referred For Treatment Or Evaluation

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Main Category: Veterans / Ex-Servicemen
Also Included In: Anxiety / Stress;  Mental Health;  Depression
Article Date: 11 May 2006 - 15:00 PDT

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According to a new study by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), only about 22% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are ever referred for treatment or evaluation.

Of 9,145 interviewed veterans who were considered at risk of suffering from PTSD, only 2,029 were referred for treatment or further evaluation.

The report says approximately 5% of all veterans interviewed seem to have some kind of post-traumatic stress disorder. Who is referred for treatment is determined differently and depends which military service the veteran comes from. The report states that the US Defence Department does not guarantee treatment for all veterans who need it, for PTSD.

The Defence Department argues that treatment may, in fact, make the symptoms linger - symptoms which would go away quickly of their own accord. When veterans rest and go back to their normal routines, symptoms will often go away, said the Defence Department.

The report suggests that the Pentagon find a way of making the criteria for referrals more uniform throughout the defence services. It asks the Pentagon to explain why some services are more likely to refer a veteran with specific symptoms for treatment, while others are not willing to do so for their veterans who have the same specific symptoms. In other words, explain the inconsistencies in determining who gets treatment.

The percentage of soldiers being referred for further treatment was:

-- Army and Air Force 23%
-- Navy 18%
-- Marines 15%

If a veteran responds 'yes' to three of the following questions:

1. Did you have a horrible experience that brings on nightmares?
2. Do you try hard not to think about an experience?
3. Are you easily startled, or constantly on guard?
4. Do you feel numb, detached from others, other people's activities, or your surroundings?

�he/she may be referred for additional treatment or evaluation.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today