There are an estimated 200,000 women currently serving in active duty in the armed forces, and this number is expected to grow.1 In fact, the women veterans population is expected to increase from 9% to 17% by 2043.1 The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder…
It is important that VA, vet center and other mental health practitioners recognize that the skills and experience they’ve developed in working with veterans with chronic PTSD will serve them well with those returning from the war. Their experience in talking about trauma, educating…
Once the clinician gains an overall sense of the veteran’s level of psychosocial functioning, a broader assessment of psychological symptoms, and responses to those symptoms that may be impairing, can be useful. However, this process can also be difficult and confusing since a wide…
Soldiers returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars share the same grievances of all warriors throughout history, such as grief, bodily injury, combat stress, fatigue, and emotional anguish. Added to these assaults, many are ambushed by the aftereffects of combat experience, characterized by multiple…
New veterans of the wars will present initially in a myriad of ways. Some may be very frail, labile, emotional, and needing to share their story. The modal presentation is likely to be defended, formal, respectful, laconic, and cautious (as if they were talking…