Health

Mental health of Iraqi veterans seen as a priority

Changing demographics of soldiers and increasing severity of injuries prompt a focus on care delivery.

By Susan J. Landers — Posted Feb. 20, 2006

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Washington -- Veterans of Iraqi military action are different from those who returned from earlier wars. They're slightly older, with families, and more are women. However, like veterans of other conflicts, they are being diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder in great numbers.

Of the 120,000 veterans who have sought care at Veterans Administration medical centers, about one-third receive at least tentative diagnoses of a mental disorder, the most frequent of which is posttraumatic stress disorder, said Antonette Zeiss, PhD, deputy chief consultant for mental health in the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs.

She and others spoke at a Jan. 27 briefing on the mental health of returning soldiers and the rebuilding of Iraq's mental health system.

A newly formed Iraqi National Mental Health Council has established among its goals the integration of mental health services into primary care practices, said Dr. Sabah Sadik, an adviser to the Iraq Ministry of Health. This is a change from the earlier, hospital-based Iraqi mental health program.

Meanwhile, nearly 16,000 veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom were treated for posttraumatic stress disorder at VA medical centers from fiscal year 2002 to 2005, according to VA figures.

While posttraumatic stress disorder is the most common mental diagnosis received by the returning vets, depression and substance abuse, particularly of amphetamines and alcohol, are also frequent, said Dr. Zeiss.

The changing demographics of returning soldiers will influence the care they receive, she noted. "We need to think about women warriors and what they will be bringing back."

The severity of injuries has also dictated some changes. Veterans are returning with severe brain injuries, amputations and other physical as well as mental ills. The injuries would likely have been fatal in earlier wars, said Dr. Zeiss.

To address these needs, the VA established four polytrauma centers as a pilot project and is expanding the project to include at least 21 centers, she said.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn