Mental Health in the Military

Many veterans experience a group of mental health conditions that tend to disproportionately affect military personnel. These conditions include post-traumatic stress (PTSD), depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and substance abuse. Due to the traumatic environment in which active military combatants serve, veterans are at a significantly higher risk for developing these health concerns. These issues can often be addressed and resolved with the support of a mental health professional.

PTSD in Veterans
Post-traumatic stress is an anxiety issue that may develop after an individual is exposed to a traumatic or overwhelming life experience. While the human body tends to return to baseline levels after experiencing a stressful event, people experiencing PTSD continue to release stress-related hormones and chemicals. Post-traumatic stress is characterized by four types of symptoms: reliving the event, avoidance, hyperarousal, and negative thoughts or feelings. Events that cause PTSD can include combat and/or sexual abuse. 

Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is a significant concern in the military. Some studies estimate that approximately 1% of veteran males and 22% of veteran females are exposed to sexual assault or repeated sexual harassment during their military service. Between 10% and 33% of servicewomen may experience attempted rape during this time period. There are a variety of emotional, behavioral, physical, and mental health issues that have been linked to military sexual trauma (MST). Primary among these are depression, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, substance dependency, and an increased risk of suicide. Roughly 50-60% of female veterans who experience MST eventually develop PTSD. Of servicewomen who develop PTSD due to military sexual trauma, an estimated 75% develop co-morbid depression, and over 30% may develop anxiety.

Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are also prevalent among veterans. Upon returning home, some veterans report feeling disconnected from family members and friends. The belief that no one is able to relate to their experiences or offer meaningful emotional support can prompt service members to bottle up their feelings or even seek social isolation. Additionally, the grief of losing one’s friends during combat, coupled with feelings of survivor’s guilt can lead to the development of depression and anxiety if they are not effectively treated.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injury is one of the most discussed topics among veterans. People who experience a brain injury may become confused, disoriented, experience slow or delayed thinking, and may even slip into a coma. Other symptoms associated with TBI are headaches, dizziness, memory loss, and difficulty paying attention. In some cases, traumatic brain injury can result in physical deficits, behavioral changes, emotional deficiencies, and loss of cognitive ability. In the most recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, 78% of all combat injuries are caused by explosive munitions. Mild TBI or concussion is one of the most prevalent combat injuries, affecting roughly 15% of all active military combatants in Iraq and Afghanistan. Due to the devastating effect of roadside bombs in these countries, the ability to effectively treat traumatic brain injury is of great importance in veteran care.

Substance Abuse
Sometimes, veterans may turn to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to relieve stress or the symptoms of PTSD, depression, or other mental health conditions. But misusing alcohol and drugs can lead to substance use disorders (SUD) and other serious issues. Fortunately, there are many proven ways to help veterans recover from substance use disorders. 

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a wide range of mental health services and treatments to aid military veterans. They have many resources on how to help veterans and their loved ones get answers to their questions, find support, access treatment, and recover. Treatments range from cognitive processing therapy (CPT) to residential care. Because there is extensive research on mental health conditions in the military, specific therapies can be designed to help target the conditions discussed above. Coupled with support from loved ones, there is great hope in recovery for our veterans. 

References
Hankin, C. S., Spiro, A., Miller, D. R. & Kazis, L. (2009). Mental disorders and mental health treatment among U.S. department of veterans affairs outpatients: The veterans health study. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 156(12), 1924-1930. 
​
Maguen, S., Cohen, B., Ren, L., Bosch, J., Kimerling, R. & Seal, K. (2012). Gender differences in military sexual trauma and mental health diagnoses among iraq and afghanistan veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Women’s Health Issues, 22(1), 61-66. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2011.07.010