1. The Efficacy of Treatment for PTSD in Combat Veterans
Daniel J. Lutz, MSN
Alison DiValerio, MS, RN
The Efficacy of Treatment for PTSD in Combat Veterans
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Purpose: The literature review examined the types of treatments available, to determine if they address the emotiona issues experienced by veterans and the successes of the treatments.
Introduction: Post Tramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) "is a condition induced by exposure to an event that results in psychological disturbances" lasting in excess of one month. Treatment is fairly experimental, varied and requires a multifaceted approach. For many combat veterans, coping with what they witnessed and participated in during wartime situations, can be a daily struggle that continues indefinitely. Few programs outside of Veterans Affairs Hospitals exist to support the afflicted.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Background and Significance: PTSD is almost always combined with comorbid factors, such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse, oppositional defiant disorders and ADHD. These contributing factors make PTSD treatment difficult and successful treatment, even more difficult. The prognosis for PTSD, especially among combat veterans, is dismal. Thirty three percent are likely to develop chronic PTSD, twenty percent may attempt suicide, twenty eight percent could potentially abuse substances and seventy six percent are likely to have some degree of lasting symptoms. Current research has shown that “PTSD has a deleterious impact on veteran life quality, as veterans with PTSD report increased rates of unemployment due to disability, decreased social and occupation-related functioning, financial woes and lower life satisfaction”. Forty three percent of individuals with PTSD are likely to experience illness and disability, as well as substance abuse and self-inflicted injuries. All persons with PTSD will most likely incur flashback, nightmares and live in constant fear of encountering a triggering situation. 2
Methods: Searches were conducted in Pub Med, Cinahl and the RFU Boxer Library Database. Key terms were PTSD and treatment. Inclusion criteria includedveterans, trauma, psychological , males and combat. This yielded ten articles, of which, six were usable.
Conceptual Framework 4
Results: Articles mainly showed that there are variable types of treatments available or still being developed. There is no pathology for mental disease for PTSD. How people incur, suffer from and deal with the disorder vary widely. Success becomes subjective and relates more to management than a cure. 5
Nursing Implications: Further research needs to be conducted on the designated mechanism for why neurofeedback works. Neurology nurses should become familiar with effects of patient deficits, how serotonin and neurofeedback are linked to the dopamine serum level, and the structural with functional pathology of the brain after a TBI on imaging. Neurofeedback should be considered as a preventive therapy for various types of psychological and neurological problems. With more research and focus, neurofeedback may be able to provide vast advances in rehabilitation of patients with TBIs.
Conclusion: Since PTSD lacks a quantifiable definition for successful treatment, most veterans have only the hope of learning to manage the symptoms that they experience and limit their occurances.