Rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among US soldiers and veterans has been on the rise in recent years, with at least 200,000 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan suffering from the disorder. It has become so widespread in recent years that the military stepped up efforts to educate doctors and servicemen about the disorder, in an effort to make sure that those with PTSD receive treatment. But not everyone is happy with the process. The Army Surgeon General recently issued a more strict set of guidelines for doctors to follow when diagnosing PTSD. The guidelines, which have not been made public, were recently reported on in the Seattle Times, which cited the Army Surgeon General’s report as discrediting a handful of screening tests for PTSD that are widely used by military clinicians.

Particular fault is found with one of the more popular personality tests that clinicians use, known as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Test. The test, which is often used to label some as “malingerers” (e.g. those faking PTSD), often produces flawed results, according to experts quoted in the Times article. PTSD sufferers exhibit a wide range of symptoms including insomnia, flashbacks and depression, but the test in question can dismiss or downplay those issues, resulting in legitimate sufferers being labeled as fakers.

This is particularly alarming because the tests in question were the standard of care at Madigan Army Medical Center, one of the military’s largest medical installations. This Tacoma, Washington-based facility is also home to a forensic psychiatry team tasked with deciding whether soldiers diagnosed with PTSD are sick enough to qualify for medical retirement. In March, the Army launched an investigation of the Madigan team after Madigan’s screening procedures allegedly reversed 300 of the PTSD diagnoses among soldiers being evaluated.

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Whether the Surgeon General’s attempts at strengthening its PTSD diagnostic tactics will result in more diagnoses and better early treatment remains to be seen, but the problem won’t be going away any time soon. If you or someone you love needs help with addiction and a mental health issue like PTSD, call La Paloma at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about Dual Diagnosis treatment, financing or insurance.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a real danger for survivors of the recent Ohio school shooting. The tragedy at Chardon High School outside of Cleveland leaves the students, teachers and responders at risk for developing not just PTSD, but trauma, depression or anxiety.

On Feb. 27, 2012, T.J. Lane opened fire in the school’s cafeteria killing three students and wounding two others. No clear motive for the attacks has been released, and the suspect, age 17, is in custody.

As the prayer services and funerals wrap up, it will become clear that those with physical wounds aren’t the only ones who were hurt by the shooting. The survivors, as they begin the difficult task of moving forward, are likely to experience a certain amount of anxiety and stress. They may have trouble sleeping and be re-traumatized by hearing or seeing news reports or individual accounts of the tragedy. Many students will wrestle with guilt. That’s normal following such an event.

The concern is that anyone exhibiting signs of PTSD or other mental health issues get help so he or she doesn’t end up carrying lasting psychological scars from the experience for years to come.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition brought on by a terrifying event. The symptoms interfere with daily life and can include flashbacks, anxiety, nightmares, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and even physical aches and pains.

Following the 2001 shooting at Santana High School in Santee, Calif., that left two students dead and 13 wounded, researchers found that about 12 percent of the 1,160 students screened had some symptoms of PTSD nine months later. Also, nearly a quarter of the students who were directly exposed to the violence suffered from some degree of PTSD nine months later, according to the study.

Kids with a history of mental illness or other traumas may struggle more. Girls and younger teens also tend to be at higher risk for developing PTSD after trauma. That’s why it’s important to monitor those at risk for behavior changes or signs of ongoing stress. There are effective treatment options for PTSD, the individual just needs to take advantage of them.

Addiction and Mental Health Treatment at La Paloma

If you or someone you love needs help with a co-occurring disorder, call La Paloma at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about addiction and mental health treatment, financing or insurance.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a response to a variety of traumatic events, according to the National Center for PTSD. Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, survivors of natural disasters, auto accidents, acts of terrorism and victims of sexual abuse or other crimes are all at risk. A new study confirms that PTSD sufferers are also at greater risk for addiction. The study reported by the Navy Times showed that smoking rates among people with PTSD is nearly double that of the general population, as is the rate of alcohol abuse and dependence. The drug addiction and dependence rate is almost three times that of the general adult population.

PTSD Linked to Substance Abuse

The report, “PTSD and Health Risk Behavior,” posited that the high addiction rates may be due to the fact that many PTSD victims use alcohol and other drugs in an attempt to self-medicate. Heavy use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs leads to additional health problems for the PTSD sufferer, compounding the issue, so addiction treatment is necessary.

La Paloma’s dual diagnosis approach to treatment is tailored to those dealing with a substance abuse problem or alcohol addiction as well as a behavioral issue such as PTSD, clinical depression or bi-polar disorder. If you or someone you know needs help with a substance abuse problem, contact La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have.