Treatment Online

Iraq Veterans Seeking Treatment
> 3/1/2006 10:29:49 AM

According to a new Journal of the American Medical Association study, more than a third of veterans returning from Iraq have sought out treatment for mental health problems at least once after returning from their tour. On one hand this is evidence of the high toll that battle takes on those who fight. On the other hand it is an encouraging sign that illustrates the changing attitudes of service men and women toward therapy.

The news is not all good though. Of the 70,000 Iraq veterans that presented for mental health services, only about a third of those were diagnosed with a mental disorder or a combat-induced issue. This group accounts for about 8.4% of vets. According to the results of the JAMA survey however, some 19.1% of vets showed signs of mental health problems in their responses. This descrepency indicates that a large proportion of those who are suffering with stress, anxiety and /or depression are not receiving treatment.

The increase in those who are presenting for treatment has also left Veteran's Administration facing a crunch. As USA Today notes, authors of the study caution that their study "highlights challenges in ensuring that there are adequate resources to meet the mental health needs of returning veterans." The American Psychiatric Association medical director, James Scully also noted his concern. "We better be ready to see a lot of soldiers coming back (with problems) because it looks like the high-stress Iraq environment is likely to produce more people who need help."

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