Should the VA have PTSD program for repairing, reestablishing, and rebuilding primary relationships after many years of destruction?

PO3 Aaron Hassay — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 00:11:58 -0400

Case Study: Healthy 18 recruit with normal emotions empathy love enters VA suffering PSTD symptoms that took away his love life physical and mental and downward spiral, even though he longs for love connection acceptance belonging

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2018 12:45 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 00:45:38 -0400

Are you going to the VA for PTSD?

Response by CH (CPT) James L. Machado Workman made Aug 24 at 2018 8:04 AM

CH (CPT) James L. Machado Workman — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 08:04:37 -0400

Unequivocally-yes. Marriage and Family Therapists have been arguing for years about the need for therapy specialists in family systems theory to be included on the interdisciplinary teams addressing PTSD. This should be a given in that the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has released a free app for smart phones callled “PTSD Family coach.” Some VA hospitals and clinics have hired MFTs who specialize in PTSD to work with those who have the diagnosis. I encourage those seeking this kind of therapy to seek out professionals through the VA or by doing a local search for clinicians who specialize in treating families affected by PTSD. I offer sliding scales and file Tricare. It is possible to ask the VA to refer you to a civilian who treats PTSD and have the VA pay for it but the referral must come through the VA. If you find a clinician ask the VA to refer you to that therapist. Good luck to all.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 24 at 2018 9:47 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 09:47:48 -0400

I'll do wet blanket duty on this one. The heart says yes, but these things get sideways real fast. First is the cost which means VA isn't getting more, hence any new initiative comes out of hide. Paying for something is way different than wanting something. What other services do you cut? Second is the boundaries. To what level? What is success? When to quit when pushing a rope. The list goes on. Third is Mission. It isn't the VA's job to take care of non Vets. It goes to the second thing in which money is provided for their mission and that's it. And lastly, since I was in nursing before engineering, is it worth saving? In the grand scheme many people try too long and hard to save something vs. moving on. You can't predict the result. I'd look for the providers to assess whether this dog will hunt or not. Being professionally pushed down a dead end path is another trauma stacked on the first one.

Interesting question with no simple answer. Even with answers, they'd point to more questions.

Response by Susan Foster made Aug 24 at 2018 9:58 AM

Susan Foster — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 09:58:26 -0400

I did not realize the VA didn't have PTSD family programs.

Response by Nicci Eisenhauer made Aug 24 at 2018 10:38 AM

Nicci Eisenhauer — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 10:38:02 -0400

Absolutely, there should be VA programs for this, PO3 Aaron Hassay . There should be far more expansive programs for families and primary relationships than there are. PTSD touches everyone around the sufferer, AND, sometimes those folks just cannot be of help without guidance, too. Everyone involved needs their own counseling space and one together, too... in my opinion. However, this is true of ALL relationships involving humans with or without PTSD. Life will hand us trauma no matter where we live, go, do.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 24 at 2018 12:48 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 12:48:02 -0400

That sounds like a great idea. It is not easy living with a person who has PTSD.

Response by SGT Stacy Moody made Aug 26 at 2018 12:38 AM

SGT Stacy Moody — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 00:38:49 -0400

I work for the VA as most everyone here knows. I see families coming in everyday with their Veteran for counseling, whether it be PTSD, suicidal, relationship issues, etc. So I am confused by this one....sorry all!