-
Promoting the Health and Well-Being of Veterans and Their Families
Even though the U.S. has been at war in Afghanistan since 2001 and in Iraq since 2003, it wasn’t until the summer of 2006 that the first reports of unusually high levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among returning veterans were highlighted by the media. In the winter of 2007, the...
-
Recent Innovations in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
The integration of technology and medicine is creating exciting possibilities for psychiatry and the behavioral sciences. A particularly intriguing one is the marriage of virtual reality technology to established behavioral principles and interventions for the treatment of anxiety disorders in...
-
Responding to PTSD in Our Communities
We see the words Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) everywhere—on the front page of major newspapers, on the shelves of bookstores in the self-help section, on prime-time television, and on the floor of Congress. When you hear ‘PTSD’ what do you think? Veterans? September 11th? Hurricane...
-
The Aftermath of Trauma: How a Mental Health Community Responds
Traumatic events are naturally stressful on our bodies and on our minds. Feelings of fear, helplessness, anxiety, and emotional distress are generally common in populations exposed to trauma and these symptoms can last for many months and even years. Whether natural disasters, such as Hurricane...
-
The Economics of Recovery: How Consumers Can Help Close the Budget Gap
Speaking before the Greater New York Hospital Association, Governor Paterson said the only way to solve the multi-billion dollar budget crisis was by “—working collaboratively—whether we run the hospital, work in the hospital or have been hospitalized.” While the Government could freeze...
-
The Legal Case in Support of Veterans Suffering with PTSD
Initially referred to as being “shell shocked” and now properly diagnosed as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), soldiers returning from combat often suffer from severe psychological injuries as a result of horrific experiences they were exposed to. Today, with this country engaged in two...
-
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Responds to Post 9/11 Public Need
In recognition of the lasting psychological consequences of the WTC attack for many New York City residents, the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene launched the NYC 9/11 Benefit Program for Mental Health and Substance Use Services. This benefit helps cover the costs of services...
-
The NYSPA Report: Taking Care of the Mental Health Needs of Active Duty Military, Veterans and Their Families
The prolonged war experiences and multiple deployments of men and women to Iraq and Afghanistan have created emotional as well as physical casualties of war. While more than 4,000 U.S. soldiers have lost their lives in the recent conflicts, multitudes of others have experienced life-altering...
-
The PTSD Patient: Visiting Nurse Services in Westchester Treats the “Whole Person”
Over the past few years, there has developed a deeper understanding of the inter-relationship between physical and mental health. Mental health problems are real, affecting one’s thoughts, body, feelings and behavior. These feelings and behaviors are not just a passing phase and can be...
-
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation More Effective for Depression in Those with Less Medication Resistance
In a study of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for depression published online this week in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, researchers reported that patients suffering from major depression were more likely to benefit from TMS if they had failed to respond to one antidepressant...
