PTSD - Growing Problem

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has recently received a significant amount of attention. Most frequently PTSD is associated with members of the armed forces who have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. A recent report by the RAND Center for Military Health Policy Research shows of the approximately 1.64 million military service members who have been deployed to the war zone as spring 2007, 14% screened positive for PTSD and 14% for major depression.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that is associated with a dramatic event in which the person experiences the threat of death or serious injury. The most common PTSD exposure in the United States comes from individuals who have been involved in automobile accidents. It is estimated that approximately 20% of those in automobile accidents suffer from PTSD. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 2.5 million people are injured in automobile accidents annually. So a significant number of individuals are potentially at risk for PTSD and associated conditions.
PTSD and depression both are biological disorders, which can be manifested from exposure to excessive levels of stress. Basically, the body’s stress response system is overloaded. Symptoms of PTSD include insomnia, nightmares, flashbacks of the traumatic event, startling easily, avoiding a situation that reminds the individual of the traumatic episode, difficulty in concentrating, emotional withdrawal, aggression, and irritability. Depression has similar symptoms including ongoing sadness, hopelessness, difficulty sleeping, and fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt for no specific reason, weight change, and loss of interest in usual daily activities.
According to a recent study done by Joseph Boscarino of the Geisinger Health Systems in Danvile, PA, Vietnam veterans with a history of PTSD had a 50% greater chance of dying from heart disease in their 50s compared to those veterans without PTSD. Many individuals with PTSD delay treatment and thus may manage their symptoms with drugs and/or alcohol.
The highest level of evidence for the treatment of PTSD includes exposure therapy, stress inoculation training, cognitive therapy, eye- movement decentralization and reprocessing, psychopharmacology primarily the use of Zoloft and other selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, psychodynamic and group therapy. All of these treatment procedures are considered to have a level A of efficacy. Level A evidence is derived from randomized clinical trials for individuals with PTSD.
The Department of Defense has earmarked over $300 million for research on PTSD and brain injuries. The Veterans Administration also has designated significant resources to the treatment of former service members who may have suffered from these conditions. The key to a more successful outcome is early recognition and treatment. Here in El Paso, the military has treatment programs available for active duty personnel. Dependents and retirees are eligible to receive care under the Tri-Care insurance program. Retirees also can see care at the Veterans Administration facility as well. Given the significant number of automobile accidents that occur annually in our community the civilian population, as previously mentioned is also at risk for PTSD and depression. PTSD should be considered a stress injury and care should be sought as soon as symptoms begin to emerge.