IRAQ WAR CLINICIAN GUIDE 

2nd EDITION 

Written and Compiled by 

National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

Contributing authors include (in alphabetical order): Eve B. Carlson, Ph.D., Erika Curran, L.C.S.W., 

Matthew J. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., Fred Gusman, M.S.W., Jessica Hamblen, Ph.D., Rachel 

Kimerling, Ph.D., Gregory Leskin, Ph.D., Brett Litz, Ph.D., Barbara L. Niles, Ph.D., Susan 

M. Orsillo, Ph.D., Ilona Pivar, Ph.D., Annabel Prins, Ph.D., Robert Rosenheck, M.D., Josef I. 

Ruzek, Ph.D., Paula P. Schnurr, Ph.D., Steve Southwick, M.D., Jane Stafford, Ph.D., Amy Street, 

Ph.D., Pamela J. Swales, Ph.D., Casey T. Taft, Ph.D., Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D., Patricia J. Watson, 

Ph.D., Julia Whealin, Ph.D.; and Harold Kudler, M.D., from the Durham VA Medical Center. 

Editorial Assistant: Sherry E. Wilcox. 

Walter Reed Army Medical Center 

Contributing authors include (in alphabetical order): LTC John C. Bradley, MC, USA, LTC David 

M. Benedek, MC, USA, COL Ryo Sook Chun, MC, USA, COL Dermot M. Cotter, COL Stephen J. 

Cozza, MC, USA, Catherine M. DeBoer, MAJ Geoffrey G. Grammer, CAPT Thomas A. Grieger, 

MC, USN, Rosalie M. Kogan, L.C.S.W., COL (Ret) R. Gregory Lande, DO FACN, Barbara A. Marin, 

Ph.D., COL (Ret) Patricia E. Martinez, MAJ Erin C. McLaughlin, Corina M. Miller, L.C.S.W., COL 

Theodore S. Nam, MC, USA, COL (Ret) Marvin A. Oleshansky, M.D., MAJ Mark F. Owens, LTC 

(Ret) Harold J. Wain, Ph.D., COL Douglas A. Waldrep, MC, USA. 

June 2004 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide ii	 Table of Contents 

IRAQ WAR CLINICIAN GUIDE 

Table of Contents 

I.	 Executive Summary ........................................................................................1


Key Topics 

II.	 Topics Specific to the Psychiatric Treatment of Military Personnel ....................4


III.	 The Returning Veteran of the Iraq War: Background Issues and


Assessment Guidelines.................................................................................21


IV.	 Treatment of the Returning Iraq War Veteran.................................................33


Special Topics 

V.	 Treatment of Medical Casualty Evacuees.......................................................46


VI.	 Treating the Traumatized Amputee ...............................................................50


VII.	 PTSD in Iraq War Veterans: Implications for Primary Care..............................58


VIII.	 Caring for the Clinicians Who Care for Traumatically Injured Patients ............62


IX.	 Military Sexual Trauma: Issues in Caring for Veterans.....................................66


X.	 Assessment and Treatment of Anger in Combat-Related PTSD........................70


XI.	 Traumatic Grief: Symptomatology and Treatment for the


Iraq War Veteran..........................................................................................75


XII.	 Substance Abuse in the Deployment Environment .........................................79


XIII.	 The Impact of Deployment on the Military Family .........................................83


Appendices 

A.	 Case Examples from Operation Iraqi Freedom ...............................................87


B.	 VA/DoD PTSD Practice Guideline ................................................................92


C.	 VA Documents on Service Provision .............................................................93


D.	 Assessment of Iraq War Veterans: Selecting Assessment Instruments


and Interpreting Results ..............................................................................108


E.	 Program Evaluation ....................................................................................126


F.	 Litz, B. T., Gray, M. J., Bryant, R. A., & Adler, A. B. (2002). Early


interventions for trauma: Current status and future directions. Clinical


Psychology: Science and Practice, 9, 112-134. ............................................128


G.	 Keane, T. M., Street, A. E., & Orcutt, H. K. (2000). Posttraumatic stress


disorder. In M. Hersen & M. Biaggio (Eds.), Effective brief therapies: A


clinician’s guide (pp. 140-155). New York: Academic Press..........................151


H.	 Friedman, M. J., Donnelly, C. L., & Mellman, T. A. (2003).


Pharmacotherapy for PTSD. Psychiatric Annals, 33, 57-62. ..........................169


I.	 Friedman, M. J., Schnurr, P. P., & McDonagh-Coyle, A. (1994). Post­


traumatic stress disorder in the military veteran. Psychiatric Clinics of


North America, 17, 265-277.......................................................................175


J.	 Educational Handouts for Iraq War Veterans and Their Families...................188


DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 1 Executive Summary 

I. Executive Summary
 

The medical, surgical, and psychiatric casualties of Operation Iraqi Freedom will receive care from 

a broad group of clinicians working in diverse clinical settings. Although most service members 

will initially be treated in military treatment facilities, many may find themselves returning to the 

United States with conditions that are treated in military facilities, VA Hospitals, civilian treatment 

centers, or all of these as they move through their recovery. As a result, some clinicians involved 

in treating casualties returning from Iraq may not have an understanding of the experiences of the 

military patient, the military system in which he or she serves, the military medical services 

available, or the potential impact of medical decisions on the service member's future military 

career. It is essential that all health care professionals—civilian or military—who care for 

casualties from Operation Iraqi Freedom have at least rudimentary and relevant military 

knowledge. 

A variety of factors including personal and cultural characteristics, orientation toward coping with 

stressors and painful emotions, pre-deployment training, military-related experiences, and postdeployment environment will shape responses to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Furthermore, 

psychological responses to deployment experiences can be expected to change over time. The 

absence of immediate symptoms following exposure to a traumatic event is not necessarily 

predictive of a long-term positive adjustment. Depending on a variety of factors, veterans may 

appear to be functioning at a reasonable level immediately upon their return home particularly 

given their relief at having survived the war-zone and returned to family and friends. However, as 

life circumstances change, symptoms of distress may increase to a level worthy of clinical 

intervention. 

Even among those veterans who will need psychological services post-deployment, acute stress 

disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represent only two of a myriad of psychological 

presentations that are likely. Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom are likely to have been exposed 

to a wide variety of war-zone related stressors that can impact psychological functioning in a 

number of ways. It is important for clinicians to recognize that the skills and experience that they 

have developed in working with veterans with chronic PTSD will serve them well with service 

members returning from Iraq. Clinicians’ experience in talking about trauma, educating patients 

and families about traumatic stress reactions, teaching skills of anxiety and anger management, 

facilitating mutual support among groups of veterans, and working with trauma-related guilt, will 

all be useful and applicable. 

Chapter II provides an overview of several military-specific topics. First, a brief history of the 

evolution and change in the size and components of the military force is discussed, highlighting 

the challenges of a highly deployed force that relies on National Guard and Reserve members. 

Next, the various types and stages of military conflict are described, with a focus on the specific 

stressors that each of these stages might engender. This is followed by an explanation of the 

military medical services delivery system, including the different echelons of care of the military 

evacuation system. The subsequent section provides a review of psychiatric disorders that often 

present during military conflicts. Available psychiatric services are outlined next. Finally, a section 

on military decision-making processes focuses on important administrative and medical 

procedures that are used to facilitate the evaluation, treatment and management of military 

patients with medical and psychiatric conditions. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 2 Executive Summary 

Chapter III provides information that is useful for addressing the following questions: 

What are the features of the Iraq War that may significantly impact the quality of life, wellbeing, and mental health of returning veterans? 

What are important areas of functioning to evaluate in returning veterans? 

What might be beneficial for veterans of the Iraq War who request clinical services? 

Chapter IV provides information about treatment of veterans recently evacuated due to combat or 

war stress who are brought to the VA for mental health care, and Iraq War veterans seeking mental 

health care at VA medical centers and Vet Centers. This chapter complements discussion of 

special topics (e.g., treatment of medical casualties, identification and management of PTSD in the 

primary care setting, issues in caring for veterans who have been sexually assaulted, traumatic 

bereavement) that are addressed in other sections of this Guide. The authors highlight some 

challenges for clinicians, discuss ways in which care of these veterans may differ from our usual 

contexts of care, and direct attention to particular methods and materials that may be relevant to 

the care of the veteran recently traumatized in war. 

Chapters V-VII address medical issues. In Chapter V, the authors outline some considerations 

related to the integration of mental health care with physical care of recently evacuated veterans of 

Operation Iraqi Freedom. This kind of activity represents a challenge for VA mental health 

professionals. Although VA PTSD, behavioral medicine, and other mental health practitioners are 

familiar with delivery of traumatic stress assessment and treatment to help-seeking veterans with 

chronic PTSD or general health problems, they are less likely to have delivered such services to 

individuals who have been injured during very recent exposure to traumas of war. Chapter VI 

focuses on the unique psychological needs of the amputee patient. The authors describe the 

amputee population treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center Psychiatry Consultation Liaison 

Service and the therapeutic practices that have appeared to be most successfully implemented 

there. Chapter VII provides information about PTSD for primary care providers, who may see an 

increased number of veterans or active duty military personnel returning from the war. There also 

may be increased contact with family members of active duty personnel, including family 

members who have lost a loved one in the war or family members of individuals missing in action 

or taken prisoner of war. In addition, there may be increased distress in veterans of other wars, 

conflicts, and peacekeeping missions. 

Chapter VIII discusses how clinicians treating trauma patients are at risk for emotional reactions 

that, if left unattended, can lead to psychological stress, burnout, and reduction in clinical 

efficiency and effectiveness. The authors recommend a combination of approaches that serve to 

develop and sustain liaison relationships with all members of the treatment team. 

Military sexual trauma refers to both sexual harassment and sexual assault that occurs in military 

settings. Both men and women can experience military sexual trauma and the perpetrator can be 

of the same or of the opposite gender. Chapter IX provides an overview of definitional issues and 

epidemiology and discusses the types of psychological responses that are associated with military 

sexual trauma. The authors also discuss screening, assessment, and treatment issues regarding 

sexual assault and harassment. 

Chapter X focuses on grief reactions. Although research into the prevalence and intensity of grief 

symptoms in war veterans is limited, clinicians recognize the importance for veterans of grieving 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
��

Iraq War Clinician Guide 3 Executive Summary 

the loss of comrades. The existence of a distinct and intense set of grief symptoms indicates the 

need for clinical attention to grief in the treatment plan. 

Chapter XI proposes a simple process to screen individuals for substance abuse. The authors 

suggest that care providers employ the screen in the three phases of pre-deployment, in the 

combat zone, and upon evacuation. The data gained at each juncture will help the clinician’s 

decision-making process in clarifying the contribution of substance use to a muddled clinical 

picture, taking appropriate treatment steps, forestalling some unnecessary evacuations, and 

prompting the best match between the individual’s needs and the military mission. 

The frequency of deployment of military service members has increased in the past ten years. 

Chapter XII addresses issues involving the families of military personnel. Clinicians need to be 

aware of these issues when working with families of deployed soldiers in order to identify those 

families that may need additional services. 

Appendices provide a range of reference materials, including case studies, VA/DoD Practice 

Guidelines for PTSD, published articles, and handouts for patients and their family members. 

Although focused specifically on veterans of the war in Iraq, the material presented in this Guide 

also applies to veterans of the war in Afghanistan or other recent warzone deployments. 

Dedicated to the men and women who have served in
 

Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom
 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 4 Military Personnel 

II. Topics Specific to the Psychiatric Treatment of Military Personnel 

COL Stephen J. Cozza, MC, USA, LTC David M. Benedek, MC, USA, LTC John C. Bradley, MC, USA, CAPT 

Thomas A. Grieger, MC, USN, COL Theodore S. Nam, MC, USA, and COL Douglas A. Waldrep, MC, USA 

The medical, surgical, and psychiatric casualties of Operation Iraqi Freedom will receive care from 

a broad group of clinicians working in diverse clinical settings. Although most service members 

will initially be treated in military treatment facilities (MTFs), many may find themselves returning 

to the Continental United States (CONUS) with conditions that are treated in MTFs, VA Hospitals, 

civilian treatment centers, or all of these as they move through their recovery. As a result, some 

clinicians involved in treating casualties returning from Iraq may not have an understanding of the 

experiences of the military patient, the military system in which he or she serves, the military 

medical services available, or the potential impact of medical decisions on the service member's 

future military career. It is essential that all health care professionals—civilian or military—who 

care for casualties from Operation Iraqi Freedom have at least rudimentary and relevant military 

knowledge. 

In this chapter, we provide an overview of several military-specific topics. First, a brief history of 

the evolution and change in the size and components of the military force is discussed, 

highlighting the challenges of a highly deployed force that relies on National Guard and Reserve 

members. Next, the various types and stages of military conflict are described, with a focus on the 

specific stressors that each of these stages might engender. This is followed by an explanation of 

the military medical services delivery system, including the different echelons of care of the 

military evacuation system. The subsequent section provides a review of psychiatric disorders that 

often present during military conflicts. Available psychiatric services are outlined next. Finally, a 

section on military decision-making processes focuses on important administrative and medical 

procedures that are used to facilitate the evaluation, treatment and management of military 

patients with medical and psychiatric conditions. 

A Brief Description of The History and Current Structure of US Military Forces 

The size and configuration of the US military force have changed continuously throughout history, 

reflecting the defense needs of the country. Early in US history, the concept of a standing army was 

less popular due to concerns about incurred costs and the fears of the impact of military power on 

the political process. The Second Continental Congress created the first regular active US fighting 

force on June 14, 1775 and named it the Continental Army. Its purpose was to supplement local 

militia in fighting the British during the American Revolution. Upon the conclusion of that war the 

Continental Army was disbanded. Militia forces returned to their homes as well, available for call 

up only during times when national or state security required. 

By early in the 19th century the need for a Regular Army was clear as militia forces could not be 

routinely relied upon for rapid and professional response to national crises. Since that time, the 

end strength of the Army has varied, typically rising during periods of war and decreasing during 

peacetime. The size of the combined US Armed Forces reached an all time high of 8.3 million 

during World War II. Through the Vietnam War, military members were conscripted in order to 

achieve necessary force strength. In 1973 at the end of the Vietnam War, the all male draft that 

was initiated as a Selective Service Act of 1948 was terminated. Since that time the military has 

been comprised of an all-volunteer force. During the period of Operation Desert Storm, the US 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 5 Military Personnel 

Army totaled approximately 750,000 service members. This number decreased to its current 

number of just fewer than 500,000 personnel by the mid 1990s, its smallest size since the 

beginning of World War II. 

Today the military has become a more diverse and complex population than ever in its history. 

Ethnic minorities make up significant portions of the Armed Forces, ranging from 24% in the Air 

Force to 40% in the Army (Source: Defense Department's Defense Link). Since the American 

Revolution, about 2,000,000 women have served in the military. Today, about 16% of the active 

US Armed Forces are women. In addition, over 50% of service members are married and about 

11% of the marriages are to other service members. Although educational levels vary somewhat 

between branches of service, over 95% of the military has either a high school diploma or has 

passed the General Educational Development high school equivalency test. All four military 

branches have active, as well as reserve components. Additionally, the Air Force and the Army 

also have National Guard components. These components are discussed below. As outlined in the 

Constitution, the US Congress sets the end-strength for all services. These current totals are 

provided in Tables 1 and 2. 

Table 1. Armed Service Strength as of December 31, 2003 

Marine Air 

Army Navy Corps Force Total 

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 

Total Officer 79,954 55,044 18,714 73,157 226,869 

Total Enlisted 406,074 320,457 158,316 299,224 1,184,071 

Cadets-Midshipmen 4,146 4,241 0 4,021 12,408 

Total 490,174 379,742 177,030 376,402 1,423,348 

Source: www.defenselink.mil 

Table 2. Armed Forces: Active and Reserve by Service 

Marine Air Coast 

Army Navy Corps Force Guard Total 

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 

Active 499,000 371,000 377,000 177,000 37,000 1,461,000 

Reserve 577,000 182,000 153,000 40,000 7,800 959,800 

Total 1,070,000 553,000 465,000 217,000 44,800 2,355,800 

Source: www.defenselink.mil 

National Guard and Reserve Components. The National Guard was formed from the earlier state 

militias. Congress officially designated the National Guard in 1916, establishing procedures for 

training and equipping these units to active duty military standards. In so doing, the Congress 

made these state defense National Guard units available in times of national crisis or war. In times 

other than Congressional or Presidential call-up, the National Guard falls under the Governor of 

the State to which it is assigned with the Adjutant General acting as the Commander. Neither 

active nor reserve component service members may serve within the National Guard. National 

Guard duties are under the auspices of the USC Title 32, working in state level jobs. 

The Army Reserve contains four elements – the Selected Reserve, the Individual Ready Reserve 

(IRR), the Standby Reserve, and the Retired Reserve (See Figure 1). The Selected Reserve and the 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 6 Military Personnel 

IRR are referred to as the Ready Reserve. In total, there are more than one million Army Reserve 

soldiers. Of these, 211,577 belong to the Selected Reserve, 120,721 to the IRR, 725 to the Standby 

Reserve and 727,239 to the Retired Reserve (See Figure 1). 

Figure 1. Total Army Reserve Force 

Total US Army Reserve 

1,060,262 

Enlisted: 796,744 

Officers: 263,518 

Ready Reserve 

332,298 

Enlisted: 271,633 

Officers: 39,794 

Selected Reserve 

211,577 

Enlisted: 171,783 

Officers: 39,794 

TPU 

192,355 

Enlisted: 160,704 

Officers: 

31,651 

Troop 

Program 

Unit 

AGR 

13,391 

Enlisted: 10,058 

Officers: 3,883 

Active 

Guard 

Reserve 

IMA 

5,291 

Enlisted: 1,021 

Officers: 

4,270 

Individual 

Mobilization 

Augmentee 

IRR 

120,721 

Enlisted: 

99,850 

Officers: 

20,871 

Individual 

Ready 

Reserve 

Standby 

Reserve 

725 

Enlisted: 

261 

Officers: 

464 

Individual 

Ready 

Reserve 

Retired 

Reserve 

727,239 

Enlisted: 

524,850 

Officers: 

202,389 

Source: 31 Jan 04 RCCPDS Strength Summary Report, www4.army.mil/USAR/organization/force.php 

Within the Selected Reserve, Active Guard Reserve (AGR) soldiers serve full-time on active duty in 

units and organizations that are either within the Army Reserve or that directly support it. AGR 

duties are under the auspices of the USC Title 10, working in federal level jobs. Also within the 

Selected Reserve, the Individual Mobilization Augmentees (IMAs) are assigned to high-level 

headquarters where they would serve if mobilized. Most IMA positions generally require two 

weeks of annual training. 

IRR soldiers are primarily prior-service members with two or more years of Active Duty who may 

be called upon to replace service members in Active and Reserve units. IRR are neither assigned to 

a unit nor part of the IMA. The Retired Reserves are former Army National Guard, Reserve, and 

Active soldiers who remain part of the Army Reserve, but in a retired status. 

As of February 18, 2004, 184,132 National Guardsmen and Reservists on active duty support the 

Global War on Terror and other missions in 120 countries. The Army National Guard and Reserve 

activation total 155,838, Naval Reserve 2,238, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 19,820, 

Marine Corps Reserve, 5,614 and the Coast Guard Reserve, 1,162. The Army inclusive of the 

active, Guard, and Reserve as of February 6, 2004 has 368,000 service members overseas with 

approximately 215,000 of these on unaccompanied (no spouse or family) tours. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 7 Military Personnel 

Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) and Operation Iraqi Freedom 

Military members are currently deployed to the following places: Iraq and Kuwait, 120,000; 

United States for Operations Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom, 20,000; Afghanistan, Pakistan, and 

Uzbekistan, 11,000; Ft. Polk, LA in preparation for duty in Iraq, 4,200; Kosovo and Macedonia, 

2,000; Horn of Africa, 1,800; Bosnia, Croatia and Hungary, 1,500; Fort Leonard Wood, MO, 

retraining for temporary MP duty. 

Operation Iraqi Freedom has representation from all military components. One hundred seventyfive thousand (175,000) men and women from all five of the active US Armed Forces (as well as 

the Coast Guard) and the seven armed forces reserves (Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Navy 

Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve) 

initially crossed into Iraq. In November 2003, The Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, General John M. 

Keane, identified a total force of 192,800 involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom: 133,000 Army, 

550 Air Force, 1,550 Navy, 8,600 Marine, 12,400 Coalition, 2,400 Army Special Operations, and 

34,000 Army Forces in Kuwait. He described the Army’s rotation plan for the Iraqi theater with a 

2nd cycle of 12-month rotation for the Operation Iraqi Freedom-2. It is unclear, at this time, what 

level of military staffing will be required for the future mission in Iraq. 

As of February 27, 2004, official US casualties in Operation Iraqi Freedom total 501 deaths, 378 

hostile and 169 non-hostile deaths. In this same period 2709 service members have been 

wounded in action and 417 have received wounds from non-hostile causes (Source: 

www.defenselink.mil). 

With the recent decreasing size of the US Armed Forces and increased numbers of assigned 

missions (both war and operations other than war), the tempo of operations (OPTEMPO) for active 

and reserve members has increased in frequency and intensity. It is expected that more military 

members will deploy to unaccompanied overseas assignments repeatedly during their careers. As 

such, many of those deployed to Iraq in the current conflict may have been previously deployed 

and will likely deploy again. For active duty members who deploy with the units with whom they 

train and who leave families behind within established military communities (bases and posts), the 

impact of deployment may be less than for Guard and Reserve members. For those service 

members in the latter groups, deployment may result in loss of civilian employment, financial 

penalty, or separation from family who may be left far from any military base or resources. These 

military members may also be assigned or inserted into units in which they know no personnel, 

leading to added stress and preoccupation. 

Types of Conflict and Associated Stresses 

During missions such as Operation Iraqi Freedom there are multiple stages and types of conflict. 

Throughout an operation, these stages can overlap depending on the location and mission of 

assigned forces. Each form of conflict may contribute to different forms or expressions of stress. It is 

therefore valuable to determine precisely the nature and duration of exposures for returning troops. 

Pre-deployment phase. During pre-deployment phase military members face uncertainty and 

worry. Deployment orders change routinely, sometimes with multiple revisions of deadlines and 

locations. Service members worry about the safety of themselves as well as their family members. 

They struggle to ensure that finances, healthcare, childcare, and pets all will be managed in their 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 8 Military Personnel 

absence. In the current climate, deploying service members may have additional concerns about 

terrorist activities in the United States during the period of deployment. Pre-deployment can be 

extremely stressful on single parents, reserve forces, and military members who have not 

previously deployed. It is often difficult during this phase to determine the difference between 

reasonable anxiety and an excessive reaction or the development or recurrence of psychiatric 

illness. 

Deployment phase. The deployment phase carries many additional pressures. The stress of 

traditional, high-intensity warfare leads to fear and uncertainty. Operational plans change 

constantly; knowledge of enemy capabilities is unclear; equipment breaks down; and logistical 

supply lines are uncertain. Combatants face the threat of their own death or injury and also 

witness the death, wounding, and disfigurement of their companions, enemy forces, and civilians. 

During this heightened physiologic state, the high level of emotion, and the intensity of sensory 

exposure may lead to heightened levels of arousal, attempts to avoid emotion, and intrusive 

recollections of events. The novelty of the situation may also contribute to symptoms of 

dissociation. The severity and duration of symptoms will vary among individuals. This phase of 

combat is highly conducive to acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder in military 

members. 

Types of conflict. Low intensity combat is typical during peacemaking and peacekeeping missions. 

Fear of death or injury is less imminent, but chronically present. Some troops may intermittently 

encounter the exposures found in high intensity combat. The majority will experience chronic 

strain of deployment: family separation, heat, cold, harsh living conditions, extremely long duty 

hours with little respite, minimal communication with the outside world, and boredom. These 

strains can result in the development of adjustment disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, 

and exacerbations of personality disorders. Some members with predisposing factors may develop 

psychotic disorders. Depending on the availability of substances of abuse, abuse or dependence 

disorders may develop, recur, or worsen (Jones, 1995a). 

Terrorist activities and guerilla warfare tactics, such as car bombings, remotely detonated 

explosives, and mortar attacks lead to chronic strain and anxiety. Psychologically this can 

contribute to service members questioning their purpose, as well as negative attributions about the 

importance and need for the sacrifices encountered. Coupled with other exposures, exposure 

during this phase may exacerbate illness or delay recovery. Many of the veterans from prior wars 

have focused on their discontent associated with sacrifice and loss in a mission viewed as 

unpopular and unsuccessful. 

In a highly armed nation such as Iraq, US troops cannot be certain whether an innocent appearing 

civilian may be carrying a firearm, an explosive, or a remote detonation device. Rules of 

engagement are altered regularly by command in response to political and tactical requirements. 

When an individual or a vehicle challenges a roadblock or security checkpoint, a delay in the use 

of force may result in friendly forces injuries. A premature response may result in the unnecessary 

death of civilians. Such conditions create chronic strain, particularly when split second decisions 

may undergo retrospective analyses to determine their appropriateness (Jones, 1995b). 

Friendly fire events are among the most tragic. In the current military environment of high 

technology communication, command, and control, there is a much lower risk of such 

occurrences. When they take place it is usually when there are failures of communication between 

allied forces. To date, no major events have occurred during this campaign, but have occurred 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 9 Military Personnel 

during Operation Enduring Freedom, the war in Afghanistan. Similar to terrorist and guerilla acts, 

friendly fire incidents (either by those responsible for or those who experienced the act) also lead 

to negative attributions about purpose of mission and specifically about the failure of leadership in 

preventing such outcomes. Friendly fire incidents can be more difficult for service members to 

cognitively reconstruct, leading to less opportunity for integration and potential greater traumatic 

impact. 

Clinical assessment must not assume that the experiences of all service members coming out of 

Iraq are identical. As illustrated above, exposure to military conflict can be of a variety of types 

and intensities. A careful assessment should ensure that there is a complete understanding of all 

pre-deployment and deployment happenings. As a military patient may be reluctant to share 

details of his or her experiences early on with an unfamiliar provider, a thoughtful and detailed 

accounting of experiences will likely require the time to develop a trusting therapeutic 

relationship. As is clear from the information presented above, a service member's emotional 

response to wartime exposures is determined by the specific experiences, but equally important is 

the context in which these experiences are encountered and the meanings they hold. 

Military Medical Evacuation and Service Delivery 

It is important to understand the echelons of medical care and evacuation when treating the 

combat veteran to understand the early interventions available and the limitations of far-forward 

treatments. Medical care is provided through the continuum of up to five echelons of care. 

Combat Stress Control doctrine promotes the “PIES” principle in the management of battle fatigue 

casualties: Proximity of treatment close to the front; Immediacy of treatment; Expectancy of Return 

to Duty (RTD); and Simplicity of intervention. Those who do not respond to early interventions are 

evacuated to the next echelon based on the capabilities and evacuation policy established by the 

Command Surgeon. 

Echelons of care. Echelon I care is the treatment provided by the medical assets organic to the 

combat unit. Veterans who experience combat trauma will likely be attended by members of their 

own battalion. A veteran who has sustained a physical “Battle Injury” will receive first aid by his or 

her buddy and the unit medic. Initial care will focus on maintaining an airway, controlling 

bleeding, and preventing shock with intravenous fluids and field dressing. The veteran will be 

transported by air or ground ambulance to the Battalion Aid Station to be stabilized for further 

evacuation. 

Echelon II care is provided at the brigade and division level. Emergency medical treatment, 

including resuscitation, is continued and the patient is stabilized for further transport. This level 

includes the farthest forward Combat Stress Control (CSC) elements available to address combat 

stress issues. Resources in the Division Support Area include the Division Mental Health Section 

(DMHS), consisting of a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Social Worker and enlisted Behavioral Science 

Specialists; and a CSC Detachment with additional providers, nurses, and enlisted staff. The 

DMHS role is to provide command-consultation, preventive services, treatment and screening 

while the CSC augments treatment and screening and provides and holding capacity for respite 

and reconstitution. Brief supportive therapy and pharmacologic intervention are doctrinally 

available at this level. In practice, these treatments are variably present depending upon 

geographic, personnel, and logistical limitations. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 10 Military Personnel 

Echelon III care is provided at the forward deployed Combat Support Hospitals (CSH) located in 

the Corps Support Area. These hospitals are staffed and equipped to provide resuscitation, initial 

wound surgery, and post-operative treatment. Inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care is available 

in the CSH, but the extent of available medical and psychiatric staffing may vary depending upon 

the organization of each CSH. As this is the first echelon of care where a fully staffed pharmacy 

exists, antipsychotic, anxiolytic and antidepressant medications are usually obtainable. Patients are 

treated at this level to the extent they can be managed within the guidelines of the theater aero 

medical evacuation policy. Recent policy in Iraq has been that patients who are not expected to 

respond to treatment and return to duty within seven days are to be evacuated out of theater. 

Psychiatrists at the CSHs in Iraq and Kuwait report that more than 90 percent of service members 

are treated and returned to duty. 

Echelon IV consists of hospitals staffed and equipped for general and specialized medical and 

surgical care as well as reconditioning and rehabilitation for return to duty (RTD). These facilities 

are generally located outside the combat zone. Iraq veterans are evacuated to Landstuhl Regional 

Medical Center in Germany or US Naval Hospital, Rota Spain. Service members evacuated to this 

echelon are rarely returned to duty. 

Echelon V is the definitive medical care provided in continental US Military and Veterans Affairs 

Medical Centers. Experience shows that the RTD rate for troops evacuated to the CONUS with 

disorders ranging from adjustment disorders, depression, anxiety, acute stress disorder (ASD) and 

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is extremely low. Aggressive treatment of symptoms seeks to 

induce remission with the goal of retaining the military member in the military through 

stabilization at the unit’s rear detachment, a demobilization station, or the medical center. Military 

patients whose symptoms cannot be resolved must be considered for referral to a Medical 

Evaluation Board (discussed later in this chapter). 

Medical evacuation. At each echelon, the veteran is evaluated for ability to RTD. The mobility of 

units on the modern battlefield and the need for service members to be able to sustain the 

extraordinary demands of high OPTEMPO diminish the likelihood of returning someone to his or 

her unit. Commanders require military members to perform at full capacity; as such they are 

frequently reticent to re-integrate a combat stress casualty to the unit. This preference often is 

balanced by a commander's need to maintain sufficient manpower for combat readiness. As 

insomnia is the most common initial complaint of a military member referred to mental health 

providers, commanders will often allow a time-limited medication trial to determine if the 

individual will rapidly respond and be available for missions. Contemporary battlefield realities, 

however, create an environment in which the validity and feasibility of the PIES concept must be 

seriously rethought. 

Reports from psychiatrists deployed to Iraq suggest that when a psychiatrically distressed service 

member is able to stay with his or her unit and is afforded modified duty for a limited time PIES 

remains effective. With each level of evacuation, the military patient becomes more removed from 

the unit. Experience demonstrates that once evacuated from the CSH a soldier is unlikely to be 

returned to combat. Combat stress casualties often begin to experience relief of some acute 

symptoms when removed from the combat trauma. This relief is a potent re-enforcer, serving to 

make the soldier apprehensive about his or her ability to tolerate re-exposure. This confluence of 

factors creates powerful forces in the direction of evacuation and diminishes the likelihood of 

returning the military member to combat duty. 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 11	 Military Personnel 

Military patients processed through the evacuation system will have various modalities of 

treatment, ranging from supportive measures to fairly intensive treatment. It will vary in 

accordance with the patient, the diagnosis, disposition, and the availability of treatment at the 

various locations. By the time the patient has arrived in CONUS he or she will have had several 

screens and some level of specialized care throughout the evacuation and disposition process. 

Psychiatric Disorders Seen during Wartime 

The destructive force of war creates an atmosphere of chaos and compels service members to face 

the terror of unexpected injury, loss, and death. The combat environment (austere living 

conditions, heavy physical demands, sleep deprivation, periods of intense violence followed by 

unpredictable periods of relative inactivity, separation from loved ones, etc.) is itself a 

psychological stressor that may precipitate a wide range of emotional distress and/or psychiatric 

disorders. Psychological injury may occur as a consequence of physical injury, disruption of the 

environment, fear, rage, or helplessness produced by combat, or a combination of these factors. 

The psychiatric differential diagnosis for military patients at war is quite broad. The clinical picture 

will vary over the course of a war depending on individual characteristics (e.g., personality traits, 

coping skills, prior illness) available social supports, and the amount of time that has passed 

between clinical presentation and the precipitating event(s). Thus, it is useful to consider the range 

of emotional responses in the context of the multi-phasic traumatic stress response (Table 3): 

•	 an immediate phase characterized by strong emotions, disbelief, numbness, fear, and 

confusion accompanied symptoms of autonomic arousal and anxiety; 

•	 a delayed phase characterized by persistence of autonomic arousal, intrusive recollections, 

somatic symptoms, and combinations of anger, mourning, apathy, and social withdrawal, then 

finally; 

•	 a chronic phase including continued intrusive symptoms and arousal for some, disappointment 

or resentment or sadness for others, and for the majority a re-focus on new challenges and the 

rebuilding of lives (Benedek et al., 2001; Ursano et al., 1994). 

Within this three-phase framework of traumatic response, symptoms noted in the immediate phase 

of combat generally reflect either predictable “normal” individual response to extreme stressors 

(e.g., psychic distress not meeting threshold criteria for DSM-IV-TR psychiatric disorders; “battle 

fatigue” or “combat stress” in military parlance), exacerbations of pre-existing conditions, or the 

neuropsychiatric effects insults. These insults might include exposure to trauma, the central 

nervous system (CNS) effects (e.g., delirium) of chemical, biological (Franz et al., 1997; 

DiGiovanni, 1999), or other naturally occurring infectious agents, head or internal injury from 

missiles, blast effects, or other projectiles. ASD or adjustment disorders may manifest themselves in 

the immediacy of combat and, as with other forms of trauma or disaster, exacerbations of 

substance abuse, depression, or pre-existing PTSD (Schlenger et al., 2002; Shuster et al., 2001; 

Vlahov et al., 2002) may also occur. As personality disorders are, by definition, pervasive patterns 

of maladaptive response to stress, the stress of war can certainly precipitate exacerbations of 

previously sub-clinical personality disorders or maladaptive traits. 

In the delayed phase following intense operational stressors, PTSD, Substance Abuse, and 

Somatization Disorder (or Multiple Unexplained Physical Symptoms) may be observed, and 

persistent anger, irritability or sadness may signal Major Depressive Disorder or other mood 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 12 Military Personnel 

disorders. Symptoms of bereavement or traumatic grief may also occur as service members reflect 

on the loss of brothers-in-arms. Troops provide significant support to one another during war, so 

such losses may have as much emotional impact as the loss of a close relative and may be 

accompanied by feelings of guilt—particularly if the lost service member was a “battle buddy.” 

While a “fight or flight” instinct may pre-empt self-injurious behavior during the height of battle, 

anxiety symptoms, social withdrawal, and depressed mood may occur during the delayed phase 

and increase the risk for self-injury or suicide during this phase. To the extent that the military 

member received psychological support from comrades before and during battle, medical 

evacuation (due to physical injury or neuropsychiatric symptoms) may disrupt the support of the 

service member compounding the risk of self-injury. 

During the chronic phase some service members will experience persistent PTSD symptoms or the 

more subtle secondary effect of exposure to chemical or biological agents (or their antidotes). 

These secondary effects include depression, personality changes, or cognitive dysfunction 

(DiGiovanni, 1999). Dysthymic disorder, mixed sub-syndromal depression/anxiety or sub-clinical 

PTSD may evolve and substance use disorders may become more firmly entrenched. For some 

military patients with PTSD, the pervasive distrust, the irritability, and the sense of foreshortened 

future may have more debilitating effects on social and occupational function than intrusive 

symptoms. Indeed the avoidance of reminders of the trauma (a symptom of PTSD) may result in 

affected individuals declining exposure-based therapy, or any treatment whatsoever, thus 

compounding not only the impact of war-related pathology but any pre-existent illness as well. 

Table 3. Psychiatric Disorders and War over the course of the Multi-Phasic Traumatic Stress Response 

Phase Description Diagnostic Considerations 

Immediate During or immediately after traumatic 

event(s): Strong emotions, disbelief, 

numbness, fear, confusion, anxiety, 

autonomic arousal 

Battle Fatigue, Delirium (from toxic exposures, head 

injury), Acute Stress Disorder, Adjustment Disorders, 

Brief Psychotic Disorder, exacerbation of Substance 

Abuse, Personality disorders or traits, or premorbid 

mood, anxiety, or thought disorders 

Delayed Approximately one week after trauma or in 

the aftermath of combat: Intrusive thoughts, 

autonomic arousal (startle, insomnia, 

nightmares, irritability), somatic symptoms, 

grief/mourning, apathy, social withdrawal 

PTSD, Substance Abuse, Somatoform disorders, 

Depression, other mood and anxiety disorder, 

Bereavement 

Chronic Months to years after: Disappointment or 

resentment, sadness, persistent intrusive 

symptoms, re-focus on new life events 

PTSD, Chronic effects of toxic exposure, Dysthymic 

Disorder, other mood disorders, Substance Abuse 

Disorders, Emotional Recovery – perspective 

In summary, no single psychiatric diagnosis characterizes the service member’s response to war. 

For many, the training, comradery, unity of purpose, individual coping skills, and mutual support 

provided by comrades may protect against the development of severe psychiatric disorders as a 

consequence of war. However, even individuals that do not develop symptoms meeting criteria for 

DSM-IV disorders may react with transient changes in mood, affect, cognition, or combinations of 

these and somatic symptoms typically termed “battle fatigue.” They may require psychological 

support at one point or intermittently during a campaign as result of their individual response to 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 13 Military Personnel 

particular events or their operational environment. For others, ASD or the neuropsychiatric 

sequelae of head trauma or exposure to toxic agents may occur. Major depressive disorder and 

other affective disorders, bereavement, substance abuse disorders, and somatoform disorders may 

also occur over time (see Table 3). Although PTSD may not be the most common emotional 

response to war, symptoms such as dissociation and avoidance of reminders of trauma (which may 

be adaptive; or may occur as associated features of other war-related illnesses) may impede 

treatment efforts of PTSD or other syndromes. Given the wide range of potential disorders or 

symptoms of distress that may evolve over time, the difficulty in distinguishing acute adaptive 

responses from psychopathology, and our inability to predict who may be most severely affected 

over time initial interventions should be aimed at insuring safety to self and others and developing 

mechanisms to monitor symptoms over time and encourage access to care. 

Psychiatric Care in the Military Treatment System 

After first being air evacuated (AE) from the theater of war to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in 

Germany, Operation Iraqi Freedom patients may be sent to one of four stateside medical center 

regions. These include Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), Washington DC, Dwight D. 

Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, GA, Madigan Army Medical Center Fort Lewis, 

WA, and Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston Texas. With some exceptions, this 

process is the same for Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel being air-evacuated from the war 

zone. 

Patients who are AE but only require routine outpatient care are sent to the medical center closest 

to the site from which they were initially mobilized. On arrival at the medical center, patients are 

triaged to ensure that outpatient care is, in fact, appropriate. They are then processed through the 

region’s Deployment Health Clinical Center (DHCC) for further medical screening, and referred for 

treatment near their mobilization sites. While at the demobilization site, they continue to receive 

treatment and are evaluated for appropriate disposition. Veterans who require more intensive 

services are assigned to the medical center’s Medical Holding Company and treated there. 

Veterans that do not meet medical fitness standards are referred to a Medical Evaluation Board 

(MEB). Those that are determined unsuitable either because of pre-existing condition or personality 

disorder are administratively separated. Those that are fit for duty with minor limitations are 

retained at the demobilization site for the remainder of their current term of service (reserve 

component) or released to their home duty station (active component). A veteran requiring routine 

outpatient care usually remains at each echelon level hospital for 7-10 days until reaching his or 

her final destination. Due to time constraints, treatment is generally focused on acute symptom 

relief and supportive therapy. Case management serves to identify appropriate resources to provide 

definitive treatments, when required. 

Treatment availability varies from one site to the next. If a treatment modality is required and it is 

not offered at the final destination consideration is given to the potential benefit of keeping a 

patient at the medical center for a longer period. More often than not, the military patient wishes 

to return home and does not want to delay the process any more than is necessary. In these cases, 

psychoeducation focuses on the early identification of symptoms and the importance of selfreferral for rapid mental health intervention. (Typical service member and family responses are 

discussed in Chapter 12.) 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 14 Military Personnel 

Any military patients requiring a MEB or who may require intensive outpatient care or inpatient 

care are air-evacuated to a medical center. While programs vary with respect to available services, 

the process at WRAMC serves as an example of treatment practices at the medical center level. 

WRAMC offers several levels of mental health treatment. Upon arrival the on-call psychiatrist 

screens all air-evacuated patients for acute symptoms that might necessitate hospitalization. Any 

patient air-evacuated as an inpatient is admitted to the hospital and is continued in inpatient care 

until clinical safety is determined. During the course of the inpatient admission a comprehensive 

assessment is performed and treatment initiated. 

Army personnel requiring a medical evaluation board remain at Walter Reed and are assigned to 

the Medical Holding Company. Air Force and Navy personnel undergoing a MEB may be followed 

in the WRAMC Continuity Service within the partial hospitalization program until stabilized and 

ready for further disposition. Navy personnel undergoing a MEB are usually assigned to a medical 

holding unit near their home of record. Air Force personnel undergoing a medical evaluation 

board typically are returned to their unit. Inpatients with more severe illnesses and who are 

refractory to treatment may be discharged directly from the service to a VA inpatient ward near 

their home. 

Outpatient follow-up is variable at all locations. Most if not all locations will have some form of 

treatment available. The WRAMC mental health services are presented as a model of the process 

most mental health patients may experience in one form or another. 

The WRAMC Continuity Service offers several levels of care to include intensive outpatient 

services (defined as patients who require more than once weekly therapy) and partial 

hospitalization (defined as daily treatment of at least 3 hours each day). Partial hospitalization 

serves as a step-down unit for inpatients transitioning to outpatient care or a step-up unit for 

outpatients who need more care than can be given in a routine outpatient setting. Treatment 

modalities include group, individual, medication management, family and couples therapies as 

well as command consultations. Services are geared towards the needs of the patient. Daily war 

zone stress related groups and individual therapies are available. Continuity Service also provides 

ongoing mental health treatment and case management for patients assigned to the Medical 

Holding Company to ensure effective psychiatric monitoring through the MEB process. 

All Army mental health outpatients, whether they arrive as outpatients or are subsequently 

discharged from the inpatient service, are case managed by the Continuity Service until they leave 

WRAMC. This ensures continuity of care and provides a resource that the patient can use during 

the time spent at WRAMC. Those identified as primary mental health patients are monitored by the 

Continuity Service even if they are getting treatment on a different clinical service at WRAMC. 

The Behavioral Health Service is an outpatient treatment resource for “routine” ambulatory care, 

acute assessments, and liaison with military patients’ units in the region. Treatments offered 

include individual and group therapies and medication management. Patient referrals come from 

the air-evacuation system, local units, and other medical specialties. The patient completes a 

comprehensive work-up and an appropriate treatment plan is generated. Like the Inpatient and 

Continuity Service this can include return to duty, administrative separations or referral to a MEB. 

Psychiatry Consultation and Liaison Service (PCLS) screens all hospitalized Wounded In Action 

(WIA) service members and most Non-Battle Injury (NBI). Disease Non-Battle Injury (DNBI) 

patients are also regularly evaluated by PCLS when requested through routine consultation. A 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 15 Military Personnel 

mental health screening is performed on every patient admitted from the war zone and consists of 

a diagnostic interview, and psycho-education about Combat Stress, ASD and PTSD. Service 

members needing further psychiatric care are referred for treatment with PCLS, Continuity 

Services, or Behavioral Health as needed. 

Patients requiring administrative separation or a medical evaluation board may be delayed in 

separation from the service for several months. The types of treatments available throughout the 

DoD vary depending upon location and available resources. The patients may receive therapy 

from any of the modalities discussed above and may be involved in various treatment modalities 

while awaiting their final separation. 

Military Medical and Administrative Decision Making 

Military Mental Health Officers are charged with the responsibility to evaluate service members at 

several points in the deployment process to ensure that these service members are psychiatrically 

fit to fulfill mission requirements. As the Medical Corps mission is to “Conserve the Fighting 

Strength” of the deploying forces, clinicians must carefully weigh medical decisions that keep 

service members from deploying. The impact of deploying military members with psychiatric 

conditions to combat also needs to be weighed. Psychiatrically vulnerable individuals who are 

deployed to a theater of operations create serious distractions for their commanders and their 

units. An individual who becomes unfit during a deployment will require special attention and 

resources. If evacuation is required, a replacement will not be forthcoming. Therefore, one must 

use common sense to screen out individuals who are ill or are likely become ill. As anxiety is a 

normal response prior to deployment, normal fear and apprehension should not be pathologized. 

Clinicians must always maintain a keen eye for potential malingerers, as well. 

Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) & pre-deployment screening. The DoD has developed 

extensive screening as part of the Pre-Deployment Health Assessment performed for all service 

members regardless of service or active/reserve status. All soldiers should receive SRP screening 

annually by their command to identify the presence of conditions that may make them unfit for 

deployment. This screening typically includes review of any medical “profiles” or limitations to 

duty determined by physicians, or due to dental status, HIV status, or other administrative reasons. 

Unfortunately, this screening is often not completed appropriately for National Guard and Reserve 

soldiers. Without routine SRP screening, soldiers with unfitting conditions are not recognized until 

they are called to Active Duty for deployment, creating serious concerns for unit readiness. 

All soldiers, whether active, guard, or reserve, when notified for deployment, are processed 

through one of several mobilization (MOB) sites. An SRP screening is performed with the addition 

of a DOD-mandated Pre-Deployment Health Assessment (DD Form 2795) to gather baseline 

health information and screen for potentially unfitting conditions. This assessment screens for 

general medical and psychiatric conditions and is a source for comparison if the soldier develops 

any health concerns related to the deployment. With this in mind, soldiers may have a tendency to 

under-report any symptomatology or evidence of pre-existing conditions for various reasons to 

include a desire to deploy without limitations, fear of being charged with fraudulent enlistment for 

concealing a prior psychiatric treatment, concern about future disability claims, or other fears 

about the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. When under-reporting exists, vulnerable 

soldiers are deployed with an increased risk of developing combat stress-related symptoms to 

include ASD and PTSD. Additionally, even when the soldier discloses a psychiatric history during 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 16 Military Personnel 

pre-deployment screening, commanders may determine that the soldier will deploy because of 

unit readiness requirements, despite the recommendations of the medical staff. 

All screening forms are reviewed and soldiers are referred for more specific examinations when 

indicated. Soldiers with preexisting psychiatric conditions (e.g., psychotic, mood, or anxiety 

disorders), current symptoms of illness, substance use disorders, or personality disorders are 

evaluated to determine if these problems are unfitting or may predispose to combat stress-related 

illness. If an unfitting condition exists, the soldier is immediately demobilized and a 

recommendation is made for administrative separation for the condition that existed prior to 

service. 

Pre-deployment screening for psychopathology has certain drawbacks. There are no accepted 

screening standards to inform how to exclude vulnerable individuals. Additionally, the risk factors 

for combat stress reactions, apart from a history of prior trauma, are unclear. When the threshold is 

set to eliminate vulnerable soldiers, one might ask who will pass muster to deploy. If screening is 

too permissive, high rates of combat stress symptoms can be expected. Pre-deployment level of 

social and occupational functioning, regardless of diagnosis, is an important indicator of functional 

capacity on the battlefield. Nevertheless, the function of the pre-deployment screening serves to 

identify most soldiers who are evidencing present or past psychopathology that could likely 

interfere with their functioning. Anecdotally, military psychiatrists serving in Iraq note that a 

soldier's level of pre-deployment social and occupational functioning often is the best predictor of 

outcome, regardless of diagnosis. 

Mental health support during deployment – self- vs. command-referral. Once deployed, soldiers 

may access mental health services to continue previous treatment or to initiate treatment for new 

symptoms. Service members may self-refer at any time. They may present directly to Division 

Mental Health, or Psychiatric Services at the supporting Combat Stress Control Detachment or 

Combat Support Hospital. Military members often struggle with ambivalence about accessing 

mental health services. Additionally, in a war zone where Commanders must have constant 

updated accountability for their troops, and where travel is often limited to military convoys, it is 

difficult for military patients to access mental health services unnoticed. Despite frequent 

command-level briefings about combat stress and suicide prevention, the stigma of mental illness 

prevails. Service members also are concerned about the perceived limitations to their career if they 

access mental health. Frequently, they fear loss of opportunity for promotion, loss of security 

clearance, or elimination from the service. This ambivalence can lead to unnecessary suffering. 

Equally problematic are service members who actively seek mental health care as a means of 

avoiding duty. Suspicions require close consultation with commanders to ensure proper diagnosis 

and disposition. Although successful return to duty may be the most adaptive disposition for such 

individuals, it must also be recognized that many are at increased risk of harm to self or others if 

acting out behaviors escalate. If the tactical environment does not allow the commander to 

commit the necessary resources to ensure short-term safety, evacuation from the combat zone with 

a recommendation for administrative discharge may be necessary. 

When military commanders identify a military member who is at-risk or symptomatic, they may 

“Command-Direct” the individual for a mental health evaluation in accordance with DOD 

Directive 6490.1. These evaluations lack confidentiality as the results are uniformly released to the 

commander. As with self-referrals, the mental health officer may recommend treatment of the 

condition with retention in the military, limitations to duty, or evacuation from the combat zone. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 17 Military Personnel 

The service member may also receive a recommendation for an administrative discharge, or 

referral to a Medical Evaluation Board. The disposition is determined by the nature and severity of 

symptoms, as well as the treatment resources available in theater. Combat psychiatrists work with 

commanders to encourage return to duty and provide treatment while remaining at duty. Currently 

deployed psychiatrists report good success in treating ASD, PTSD, and depressive disorders with 

SSRIs and short-term benzodiazepines. Only those military patients with psychotic symptoms, 

bipolar disorders and suicide risk are evacuated to a higher echelon of care. 

Demobilization—post-deployment screening. When service members return from deployment, 

regardless of whether due to normal troop rotation, medical evacuation, or for administrative 

reasons, they receive a comprehensive screening evaluation for presence of medical and 

psychiatric illness. This DOD-mandated Post-Deployment Health Assessment (DD Form 2796) is 

performed either at the demobilization (DEMOB) site, or if a patient has been medically 

evacuated, at the Military Medical Center. This screening includes questions about depression, 

PTSD, and substance abuse. Individuals who screen positive are referred within 72 hours for a 

definitive mental health evaluation. 

Service members with identified disorders are offered treatment and are evaluated for appropriate 

disposition. In the absence of non-psychiatric conditions, aggressive treatment continues with the 

goal of retaining the individual and returning him or her to full duty. Service members are given an 

adequate trial of treatment before a decision is made to refer to the disability system through a 

MEB unless other conditions mandate referral to MEB. 

Medical Evaluation Board. If a service member requires evacuation from the combat zone for 

combat stress symptoms, the psychiatrist must decide whether the symptoms are due to a 

psychiatric condition, situational problem, or personality disorder. The psychiatrist must also 

determine the prognosis and likelihood of response to treatment. Generally, in the absence of a 

personality disorder or other confounding variables, aggressive treatment of combat stress 

reactions is indicated. If the symptoms cannot be stabilized within a reasonable amount of time, 

then referral to a MEB is indicated for disability retirement. 

In deciding whether and when to initiate a MEB, the treating psychiatrist must consider the military 

patient’s length of service, previous history, current symptoms, prognosis, as well as the time 

remaining on active duty for activated reservists. Junior ranking military members in their first 

enlistment with no prior deployment experience are likely to be referred to MEB. More seasoned 

military members are more likely to be monitored for up to one year with some duty limitations in 

an effort to retain them. Reservists who are nearing the end of their term of activation are likely to 

be allowed to be released from active duty (REFRAD) and referred for continued care and 

monitoring. 

A service member may require referral to a MEB by virtue of his or her other medical conditions. 

When this is the case, a psychiatric addendum is performed to establish a service-connected 

condition, and to identify if the condition meets or does not meet medical retention standards. 

One has to remain cognizant of the individual who may be attempting to manipulate the disability 

system in his or her favor by exaggerating symptoms, or seeking disability for conditions that are 

not medically unfitting. The psychiatrist must be mindful of all motivating factors and the potential 

for the influence of a disability seeking culture. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 18 Military Personnel 

Administrative discharges. When the emotional condition is obscured or confounded by the 

presence of a personality disorder, primary substance abuse problem, or other situational issues, 

an administrative separation is indicated instead of a referral to MEB. Conditions such as unstable 

family situations, chronic suicide threats, substance abuse disorders, acting-out behaviors and 

malingering are best managed with an expeditious administrative discharge to minimize the 

negative effects these behaviors may have on the unit or rear-detachment. The Commander may 

punish service members who malinger with Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) actions 

prior to discharge. 

While the service member is pending separation from the service, treatment and monitoring by 

mental health is often beneficial. 

Limits of medical authority. It is important to be aware of the limitations physicians have when 

treating the military patient. The military physician’s role is to treat the patient, determine if the 

patient is medically fit to fight, and make recommendations to the patient’s commander about 

appropriate disposition. The only area where the physician has full authority is when a condition is 

life threatening, requires hospitalization, or does not meet retention standards and referral to MEB 

is indicated. In all other situations, the physician is a consultant to the system and can make 

recommendations only. Recommendations may include: Return to Duty (RTD) without any 

limitations, RTD with some limitations or changes in environment, or administrative 

recommendations about rehabilitative or compassionate transfers, or discharge from the service. 

Commanders have ultimate authority and bear ultimate responsibility for acting on 

recommendations. They may decide to attempt to rehabilitate a service member in his or her 

command despite recommendations for administrative discharge. A commander who chooses to 

ignore medical recommendations must review this decision with his or her higher commander. If 

the restrictions placed on a military member cannot be accommodated either by the nature of the 

mission or the individual's military occupational specialty (MOS), the commander may request a 

“Fitness for Duty Board” from the supporting hospital. If the service member is found fit with some 

limitations that constrain his or her duty performance, the commander may request evaluation by 

a MOS Medical Retention Board (MMRB). The MMRB can return the soldier to duty, change the 

soldier’s MOS, or refer the soldier to the disability system. 

Ethics of military psychiatry. Military mental health officers must struggle with the ethical issues 

and duties to the individual and the military. They should always be the “honest broker” in caring 

for military patients and making tough decisions about treatment, referral to the disability system, 

administrative discharges, and limitations to duty. They must balance the mission requirements 

with the best interest of the patient and attempt to make the recommendation that will afford the 

service member the best outcome and opportunity for retention. Additionally, military mental 

health providers have got to recognize when the demands of service cannot afford the luxury of a 

prolonged rehabilitative period. They are also obligated to serve the interests of the service by 

remaining alert to secondary gain and malingering. 

Military clinicians must understand that combat is one of life’s most significant traumatic events. 

They have to allow some vulnerable individuals to deploy and must recognize that some will 

become symptomatic. Ultimately, military mental health providers are required to remain 

empathic to the military patient as well as the needs of the service by providing compassionate 

treatment for combat veterans and referring service members who cannot be rehabilitated quickly 

to the disability system. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 19 Military Personnel 

Conclusions 

Clinicians involved in the treatment of casualties returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom require 

an understanding of the military system in which these service members work and receive their 

medical care. Unlike prior conflicts, casualties from this war will likely receive treatment services 

in a variety of settings by providers from non-military professional backgrounds. 

Diversity within the military populations suggests that evacuated military patients are likely to 

come from different areas of the country and vary in terms of ethnic and cultural heritage. There is 

an increasing number of women as well. Patients’ military experience may vary considerably 

depending upon the military component (e.g. active, reserve or National Guard) to which these 

service members are assigned. They may have been exposed to a variety of different combat 

stressors, depending upon their site of duty, the nature of conflict to which they have been 

exposed, and the roles in which they have served. The literature is clear that certain psychiatric 

conditions, including acute stress disorders and PTSD, are not uncommon responses to individuals 

exposed to combat. Clinicians must be aware of other psychiatric and organic disorders that might 

also contribute to their presentation, however. 

The military system is designed to minimize psychiatric disorders on the battlefield through 

predeployment screening and by providing mental health services in the combat setting. When 

evacuation is required, service members may be treated within several echelons of care that are 

established. Additionally, military regulation guides the appropriate evaluation of psychiatrically ill 

military patients. Service members with behavioral or emotional disorders may require discharge 

from service through the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) process or through command 

determined administrative separation. 

All of these factors can contribute to the clinical condition of an evacuated soldier, airman, or 

sailor. An appreciation of these complex issues will serve the clinician well in evaluating and 

treating service members psychiatrically evacuated from theater. 

References 

Benedek, D.M., Ursano, R.J., Holloway, H.C., Norwood, A.E., Grieger, T.A., Engel, C.C., et al. (2001). 

Military and disaster psychiatry. In N.J. Smelser & P.B. Baltes (Eds.), International encyclopedia of the 

social and behavioral sciences, Vol. 14 (pp. 9850-9857). Oxford, England: Elsevier Science. 

DiGiovanni, C., Jr. (1999). Domestic terrorism with chemical or biological agents: Psychiatric aspects. 

American Journal of Psychiatry, 156, 1500-1505. 

Franz, D.R., Jahrling, P.B., Friedlander, A.M., McClain, D.J., Hoover, D.L., Bryne, W.R., et al. (1997). 

Clinical recognition and management of patients exposed to biological warfare agents. Journal of the 

American Medical Association, 278, 399-411. 

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Rothberg, & J.W. Stokes (Eds.), War psychiatry (pp. 63-83). Washington, DC: Borden Institute. 

Jones, F.D. (1995b). Psychiatric principles of future warfare. In F.D. Jones, L.R. Sparacino, V.L. Wilcox, J.M. 

Rothberg, & J.W. Stokes (Eds.), War psychiatry (pp. 113-132). Washington, DC: Borden Institute. 

Schlenger, W.E., Caddell, J.M., Ebert, L., Jordan, B.K., Rourke, K.M., Wilson, D., et al. (2002). Psychological 

reactions to terrorist attacks. Findings from the National Study of Americans’ Reactions to September 11. 

Journal of the American Medical Association, 288, 581-588. 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 20 Military Personnel 

Shuster, M.A., Stein, B.D., Jaycox, L.H., Collins, R.L., Marshall, G.N., Elliott, M.N., et al. (2001). A national 

survey of stress reactions after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack. New England Journal of 

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Ursano, R.J., McCaughey, B.G., & Fullerton, C.S. (Eds.). (1994). Individual and community responses to 

trauma and disaster: The structure of human chaos. New York: Cambridge University Press. 

Vlahov, D., Galea, S., Resnick, H., Boscarino, J.A., Bucuvalas, M., Gold, J., et al. (2002). Increased use of 

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terrorist attacks. American Journal of Epidemiology, 155, 988-996. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 21 Background and Assessment 

III. The Returning Veteran of the Iraq War:
 

Background Issues and Assessment Guidelines
 

Brett Litz, Ph.D. and Susan M. Orsillo, Ph.D. 

It is safe to assume that all soldiers are impacted by their experiences in war. For many, surviving 

the challenges of war can be rewarding, maturing, and growth-promoting (e.g., greater selfefficacy, enhanced identity and sense of purposefulness, pride, camaraderie, etc.). The demands, 

stressors, and conflicts of participation in war can also be traumatizing, spiritually and morally 

devastating, and transformative in potentially damaging ways, the impact of which can be manifest 

across the lifespan. 

This section of the Iraq War Clinician Guide provides information that is useful for addressing the 

following questions: 

What are the features of the Iraq War that may significantly impact the quality of life, wellbeing, and mental health of returning veterans? 

What are important areas of functioning to evaluate in returning veterans? 

What might be beneficial for veterans of the Iraq War who request clinical services? 

The material below provides an initial schematic so that clinicians in the Department of Veterans 

Affairs (VA) can begin to appreciate the experience of soldiers returning from the Iraq War. It is 

offered as a starting place rather than a definitive roadmap. Needless to say, each veteran will 

have a highly individualized and personal account of what happened, to them and what he or she 

experienced or witnessed, in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Each veteran will also reveal a unique set 

of social, psychological, and psychiatric issues and problems. At the end of the day, the most 

important initial needs of returning veterans are to be heard, understood, validated, and comforted 

in a way that matches their personal style. Every war is unique in ways that cannot be anticipated. 

There is much to be learned by listening carefully and intently. 

The Form and Course of Adaptation to War-Zone Stressors 

The psychological, social, and psychiatric toll of war can be immediate, acute, and chronic. These 

time intervals reflect periods of adaptation to severe war-zone stressors that are framed by different 

individual, contextual, and cultural features (and unique additional demands), which are important 

to appreciate whenever a veteran of war presents clinically. 

The immediate interval refers to psychological reactions and functional impairment that occur in 

the war-zone during battle or while exposed to other severe stressors during the war. The 

immediate response to severe stressors in the war-zone has had many different labels over many 

centuries (e.g., combat fatigue); the label combat stress reaction is used most often currently. 

However, this is somewhat a misnomer. As we discuss below, direct combat exposure is not the 

only source of severe stress in a war-zone such as Iraq. The term war-zone stress reaction carries 

more meaning and is less stigmatizing to soldiers who have difficulties as a result of experiences 

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other than direct life-threat from combat. Generally, we also want to underscore to clinicians that 

being fired upon is only one of the many different severe stressors of the war-zone. 

In the war-zone, soldiers are taxed physically and emotionally in ways that are unprecedented for 

them. Although soldiers are trained and prepared through physical conditioning, practice, and 

various methods of building crucial unit cohesion and buddy-based support, inevitably, war-zone 

experiences create demands and tax soldiers and unit morale in shocking ways. In addition, the 

pure physical demands of war-zone activities should not be underestimated, especially the 

behavioral and emotional effects of circulating norepinephrine, epinephrine and cortisol (stress 

hormones), which sustain the body’s alarm reaction (jitteriness, hypervigilance, sleep disruption, 

appetite suppression, etc.). In battle, soldiers are taxed purposely so that they can retain their 

fighting edge. In addition, alertness, hypervigilance, narrowed attention span, and so forth, are 

features that have obvious survival value. Enlisted soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and 

officers are trained to identify the signs of normal “battle fatigue” as well as the signs of severe 

war-zone stress reactions that may incapacitate military personnel. However, the boundary line 

between “normal” and “pathological” response to the extreme demands of battle is fuzzy at best. 

Officers routinely use post-battle “debriefing” to allow soldiers to vent and share their emotional 

reactions. The theory is that this will enhance morale and cohesion and reduce “battle fatigue.” 

Even if soldiers manifest clear and unequivocal signs of severe war-zone stress reactions that affect 

their capacity to carry out their responsibilities, attempts are made to restore the soldier to duty as 

quickly as possible by providing rest, nourishment, and opportunities to share their experiences, as 

close to their units as possible. The guiding principal is known as Proximity - Immediacy ­

Expectancy - Simplicity (“PIES”). Early intervention is provided close to a soldier’s unit, as soon as 

possible. Soldiers are told that their experience is normal and they can expect to return to their 

unit shortly. They are also provided simple interventions to counteract “fatigue” (e.g., “three hots 

and a cot”). The point here is that soldiers who experience severe war-zone stress reactions likely 

will have received some sort of special care. On the other hand, it is without question stigmatizing 

for soldiers to share fear and doubt and to reveal signs of reduced capacity. This is especially true 

in the modern, all volunteer, military with many soldiers looking to advance their careers. Thus, it 

is entirely possible that some veterans who present at VA Medical Centers will have suffered 

silently and may still feel a great need not to not show vulnerability because of shame. 

It should be noted that a very small percentage of soldiers actually become what are known as 

combat fatigue casualties. Research on Israeli soldiers has revealed that severe war-zone stress 

reactions are characterized by variability between soldiers and lability of presentation within 

soldiers. The formal features of severe incapacitating war-zone stress reactions are restlessness, 

psychomotor deficiencies, withdrawal, increased sympathetic nervous system activity, stuttering, 

confusion, nausea, vomiting, and severe suspiciousness and distrust. However, because soldiers 

will vary considerably in the form and course of their decompensation as a result of exposure to 

extreme stress, military personnel are prone to use a functional definition of combat fatigue 

casualty. For commanders, the defining feature is that the soldier ceases to function militarily as a 

combatant, and acts in a manner that endangers himself or herself and his or her fellow soldiers. If 

this kind of severe response occurs, soldiers may be evacuated from the battle area. Finally, 

clinicians should keep in mind that most combatants are young and that it is during the late teens 

and early twenties is a time when vulnerable individuals with family histories of psychopathology 

(or other diatheses) are at greatest risk for psychological decompensation prompted caused by the 

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stress of war. As a result, a very small number of veterans of the Iraq War may present with stressinduced severe mental illness. 

For soldiers who may be in a war-zone for protracted periods of time, with ongoing risks and 

hazards, the acute adaptation interval spans the period from the point at which the soldier is 

objectively safe and free from exposure to severe stressors to approximately one month after return 

to the US, which corresponds to the one-month interval during which Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) 

may be diagnosed according to DSM-IV. This distinction is made so that a period of adaptation 

can be identified that allows clinicians to discern how a soldier is doing psychologically when 

they he or she gets a chance to recover naturally and receive rest and respite from severe stressors. 

Otherwise, diagnostic labels used to identify transient distress or impairment may be unnecessarily 

pathologizing and stigmatizing and inappropriate because they are confounded by ongoing 

exposure to war-zone demands and ongoing immediate stress reactions. Typically, in the acute 

phase, soldiers are in their garrison (in the US or overseas) or serving a security or infrastructurebuilding role after hostilities have ceased. 

The symptoms of ASD include three dissociative symptoms (Cluster B), one reexperiencing 

symptom (Cluster C), marked avoidance (Cluster D), marked anxiety or increased arousal (Cluster 

E), and evidence of significant distress or impairment (Cluster F). The diagnosis of ASD requires 

that the individual has experienced at least three of the following: (a) a subjective sense of 

numbing or detachment, (b) reduced awareness of one’s surroundings, (c) derealization, (d) 

depersonalization, or (e) dissociative amnesia. The disturbance must last for a minimum of two 

days and a maximum of four weeks (Cluster G), after which time a diagnosis of posttraumatic 

stress disorder (PTSD) should be considered (see below). 

Research has shown that that there is little empirical justification for the requirement of three 

dissociation symptoms. Accordingly, experts in the field advocate for consistency between the 

diagnostic criteria for ASD and PTSD because many individuals fail to meet diagnostic criteria for 

ASD but ultimately meet criteria for PTSD despite the fact that their symptoms remain unchanged. 

Unfortunately, there have been insufficient longitudinal studies of adaptation to severe war-zone 

stressors. On the other hand, there is a wealth of research on the temporal course of post-traumatic 

reactions in a variety of other traumatic contexts (e.g., sexual assault, motor vehicle accidents). 

These studies have revealed that the normative response to trauma is to experience a range of ASD 

symptoms initially with the majority of these reactions remitting in the following months. 

Generalizing from this literature, it is safe to assume that although acute stress reactions are very 

common after exposure to severe trauma in war, the majority of soldiers who initially display 

distress will naturally adapt and recover normal functioning during in the following months. Thus, 

it is particularly important not to not be unduly pathologizing about initial distress or even the 

presence of ASD. 

The chronic phase of adjustment to war is well known to VA clinicians; it is the burden of war 

manifested across the life-span. It is important to note that psychosocial adaptation to war, over 

time, is not linear and continuous. For example, most soldiers are not debilitated in the immediate 

impact phase, but they are nevertheless at risk for chronic mental health problems implicated by 

experiences during battle. Also, although ASD is an excellent predictor of chronic PTSD, it is not a 

necessary precondition for chronic impairment - there is sufficient evidence to support the notion 

of delayed PTSD. Furthermore, the majority of people who develop PTSD did not meet the full 

diagnostic criteria for ASD beforehand. It is also important to appreciate that psychosocial and 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 24 Background and Assessment 

psychiatric disturbance implicated by war-zone exposure waxes and wanes across the life-span 

(e.g., relative to life-demands, exposure to critical reminders of war experiences, etc.). 

Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of many different ways a veteran can manifest chronic postwar adjustment difficulties. Veterans are also at risk for depression, substance abuse, aggressive 

behavior problems, and the spectrum of severe mental illnesses precipitated by the stress of war. 

Generally, the psychological risks from exposure to trauma are proportional to the magnitude or 

severity of exposure and the degree of life-threat and perceived life-threat. The latter is particularly 

pertinent to the war in Iraq, where the possibility of exposure to chemical or biological threats is a 

genuine concern. Exposure to chemical or biological toxins can be obscure, yet severely alarming 

before, during, and after battle. 

A number of individual vulnerabilities have been shown to moderate risk for PTSD. For example, 

history of psychiatric problems (in particular, depression), poor coping resources or capacities, and 

past history of trauma and mistreatment increases risk for posttraumatic pathology. Individuals 

who show particularly intense and frequent symptoms of ASD (particularly, severe hyperarousal) 

in the weeks following trauma are particularly at risk for chronic PTSD. In addition, the quality and 

breadth of supports in both the military and civilian recovery contexts (in the military and outside 

the military) and beyond (e.g., in the home) can impact risk for PTSD. People who need 

intervention most are the ones that are isolated and cannot get the respite from work, family, and 

social demands that they may need (or who have additional family or financial stressors and 

burdens), have few secure and reliable outlets for unburdening their experiences, and receive little 

or no validation, in the weeks, months, and years following exposure to war trauma. 

Most VA clinicians will interact with veterans of the new Iraq War during the chronic phase of 

adjustment. Nevertheless, early assessment of PTSD and other comorbid conditions implicated 

from exposure to the Iraq War is crucial and providing effective treatment as soon as possible is 

critical. Although technically chronic with respect to time since hostilities ceased, soldiers’ mental 

health status will be relatively new with respect to their extra-war roles and social context. For 

example, a soldier might be newly reunited with family and friends, which may tax coping 

resources and produce shame and lead to withdrawal. In this context, interventions provided as 

early as possible will still provide secondary prevention of very chronic maladaptive behavior and 

adaptation. 

On the other hand, it is important to appreciate that many things may have happened to a veteran 

with steady difficulties through the immediate and acute phases that color the person’s clinical 

presentation. For example, a soldier may have been provided multiple interventions in the warzone and in the acute phase, such as critical incident stress debriefing (CISD), or pastoral 

counseling, or formal psychiatric care. It is important to assess and appreciate the course of care 

provided and not to not assume that the veteran is first now presenting with problems. It could be 

that some veterans experienced their attempts to get help and guidance or respite as personal 

failure and they may have been stigmatized, ostracized, or subtly punished for doing so. 

What Kinds of War-Zone Stressors Did Soldiers in the Iraq War Confront? 

It is important to appreciate the various types of demands, stressors, and potentially traumatizing 

events that veterans of the Iraq War may have experienced. This will serve to facilitate 

communication between clinician and patient and enhance understanding and empathy. Although 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 25 Background and Assessment 

there may be one or two specific traumatic events burned into the consciousness of returning 

soldiers that plague them psychologically, traumatic events need to be seen in the context of the 

totality of roles and experiences in the war-zone. In addition, research has shown convincingly 

that while exposure to trauma is a prerequisite for the development of significantly impairing 

PTSD, it is necessary but not sufficient. For veterans, there are a host of causes of chronic PTSD. In 

terms of war-zone experiences, perceived threat, low-magnitude stressors, exposure to suffering 

civilians suffering, and exposure to death and destruction, have each been found to contribute to 

risk for chronic PTSD. It should also be emphasized that the trauma of war is colored by a variety 

of emotional experiences, not just horror, terror, and fear. Candidate emotions are sadness about 

losses, or frustration about bearing witnessing to suffering, guilt about personal actions or 

inactions, and anger or rage about any number facets of the war (e.g., command decisions, the 

behavior of the enemy). 

We describe below the types of stressful war-zone experiences that veterans of the first Persian 

Gulf War reported as well as the psychological issues and problems that may arise as a result. We 

assume that many of these categories or themes will apply to returnees from the War with Iraq. 

Preparedness. Some veterans may report anger about perceiving that they were not sufficiently 

prepared or trained for what they experienced in the war. They may believe that they did not have 

equipment and supplies they needed or that they were insufficiently trained to perform necessary 

procedures and tasks using equipment and supplies. Some soldiers may feel that they were ill 

prepared for what to expect in terms of their role in the deployment and what it would be like in 

the region (e.g., the desert). Some veterans may have felt that they did not sufficiently know what 

to do in case of a nuclear, biological, or chemical attack. Clinically, veterans who report feeling 

angry about these issues may have felt relatively more helplessness and unpredictability in the warzone, factors which that have been shown to increase risk for PTSD. 

Combat exposure. It appears that the new Iraq War entails more stereotypical exposure to warfare 

experiences such as firing a weapon, being fired on (by enemy or potential friendly fire), 

witnessing injury and death, and going on special missions and patrols that involve such 

experiences, than the ground war offensive of the Persian Gulf War, which lasted three days. 

Clinicians who have extensive experience treating veterans of other wars, particularly Vietnam, 

Korea, and WWII should be aware of the bias this may bring to bear when evaluating the 

significance or impact of experiences in modern warfare. Namely, clinicians need to be careful 

not to minimize reports of light or minimal exposure to combat. They should bear in mind that in 

civilian life, for example, a person could suffer from chronic PTSD as a result of a single, isolated 

life-threat experience (such as a physical assault or motor vehicle accident). 

Aftermath of battle. Veterans of the new Iraq War will no doubt report exposure to the 

consequences of combat, including observing or handling the remains of civilians, enemy soldiers, 

US and allied personnel, or animals, dealing with prisoners of war, and observing other 

consequences of combat such as devastated communities and homeless refugees. Veterans may 

have been involved in removing dead bodies after battle. They may have seen homes or villages 

destroyed or they may have been exposed to the sight, sound, or smell of dying men and women. 

These experiences may be intensely demoralizing for some. It also is likely that memories of the 

aftermath of war (e.g., civilians dead or suffering) are particularly disturbing and salient. 

Perceived threat. Veterans may report acute terror and panic and sustained anticipatory anxiety 

about potential exposure to circumstances of combat, including nuclear (e.g., via the use of 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 26 Background and Assessment 

depleted uranium in certain bombs), biological, or chemical agents, missiles (e.g., SCUD attacks), 

and friendly fire incidents. Research has shown that perceptions of life-threat are powerful 

predictors of post-war mental health outcomes. 

Difficult living and working environment. These low-magnitude stressors are events or 

circumstances representing repeated or day-to-day irritations and pressures related to life in the 

war zone. These personal discomforts or deprivations may include the lack of desirable food, lack 

of privacy, poor living arrangements, uncomfortable climate, cultural difficulties, boredom, 

inadequate equipment, and long workdays. These conditions are obviously non-traumatizing but 

they tax available coping resources, which may contribute to post-traumatic outcomes. 

Concerns about life and family disruptions. Soldiers may worry or ruminate about how their 

deployment might negatively affect other important life-domains. For National Guard and Reserve 

troops, this might include career-related concerns (e.g., losing a job or missing out on a 

promotion). For all soldiers, there may be family-related concerns (e.g., damaging relationships 

with spouse or children or missing significant events such as birthdays, weddings, and deaths). The 

replacement of the draft with an all-volunteer military force and the broadening inclusion of 

women in a wide variety of positions (increasing their potential exposure to combat) significantly 

change the face of this new generation of veterans. Single parent and dual-career couples are 

increasingly common in the military, which highlights the importance developing a strong working 

relationship between the clinician, the veteran and his or her family. As is the case with difficult 

living and working conditions, concerns about life and family disruptions can tax coping resources 

and affect performance in the war-zone. 

Sexual or gender harassment. Some soldiers may experience unwanted sexual touching or verbal 

conduct of a sexual nature from other unit members, commanding officers, or civilians in the war 

zone that creates a hostile working environment. Alternatively, exposure to harassment that is nonsexual may occur on the basis of gender, minority, or other social status. This kind of harassment 

may be used to enforce traditional roles, or in response to the violation of these roles. Categories 

of harassment include indirect resistance to authority, deliberate sabotage, indirect threats, 

constant scrutiny, and gossip and rumors directed toward individuals. In peacetime, these types of 

experiences are devastating for victims and create helplessness, powerlessness, rage, and great 

stress. In the war-zone, they are of no less impact. 

Ethnocultural stressors. Minority soldiers may in some cases be subject to various stressors related 

to their ethnicity (e.g., racist remarks). Some service members who may appear to be of Arab 

background may experience added racial prejudice/stigmatization, such as threatening comments 

or accusations directed to their similarity in appearance to the enemy. Also, some Americans 

actually of Arab descent may experience conflict between their American identity and identity 

related to their heritage. Such individuals may have encountered pejorative statements about 

Arabs and Islam as well as devaluation of the significance of loss of life among the enemy. 

Perceived radiological, biological, and chemical weapons exposure. Some veterans of the Iraq 

War will report personal exposures to an array of radiological, nuclear, biological, and chemical 

agents that the veteran believes he/she encountered while serving in the war-zone. Given the 

extensive general knowledge of Persian Gulf War Illnesses among soldiers (and the public), there 

is no doubt that veterans of the new Iraq War will experience concerns about potential unknown 

low-level exposure that may affect their health chronically. For some, these perceptions may 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 27 Background and Assessment 

produce a hypervigilant internal focus of attention on subtle bodily reactions and sensations, 

which may lead to a variety of somatic complaints. 

Assessment 

New veterans of the war with Iraq will present initially in a myriad of different ways. Some may be 

very frail, labile, emotional, and needing to share their story. The modal presentation is likely to be 

defended, formal, respectful, laconic, and cautious (as if they were talking to an officer). 

Generally, it is safe to assume that it will be difficult for new veterans of the Iraq War to share their 

thoughts and feelings about what happened during the war and the toll those experiences have 

taken on their mental health. It is important not to press any survivor of trauma too soon or too 

intensely and respect the person’s need not to feel vulnerable and exposed. Clinical contacts 

should proceed from triage (e.g., suicidality/homicidality, acute medical problems, and severe 

family problems may require immediate attention), screening, formal assessment, to case 

formulation / treatment planning, with an emphasis on prioritizing targets for intervention. In all 

contacts, the clinician should meet the veteran where he or she is with respect to immediate 

needs, communication style, and emotional state. Also, the clinician should provide the veteran a 

plan for how the interactions may proceed over time and how they might be useful. The goal in 

each interaction is to make sure the veteran feels heard, understood, respected, and cared for. 

Comprehensive assessment will inform case formulation and treatment planning. There are many 

potentially important variables to assess when working with a veteran of the Iraq War: 

• Work functioning • Psychological symptoms 

• Interpersonal functioning • Past distress and coping 

• Recreation and self-care • Previous traumatic events 

• Physical functioning • Deployment-related experiences 

Often, when working with individuals who have been exposed to potentially traumatic 

experiences, there is pressure to begin with an assessment of traumatic exposure and to encourage 

the veteran to immediately talk about his or her experiences. However, our recommendation is 

that it is most useful to begin the assessment process by focusing on current psychosocial 

functioning and the immediate needs of the veteran and to assess trauma exposure, as necessary, 

later in the assessment process. While we discuss assessment of trauma history more fully below, it 

is important to note here that the best rule of thumb is to follow the patient’s lead in approaching a 

discussion of trauma exposure. Clinicians should verbally and non-verbally convey to their 

patients a sense of safety, security and openness to hearing about painful experiences. However, it 

is also equally important that clinicians do not urge their patients to talk about traumatic 

experiences before they are ready to do so. 

Work functioning. Work-related difficulties can have a significant impact on self-efficacy, selfworth and financial stability and thus deserve immediate attention, assessment, and referral. They 

are likely to be a major focus among veterans of the Iraq War. Part-time military employees or 

reservists (who make up a significant proportion of the military presence in Iraq) face unique 

employment challenges post-deployment. Employers vary significantly in the amount of emotional 

and financial support they offer their reservist employees. Some veterans will inevitably have to 

confront the advancement of their co-workers while their own civilian career has stalled during 

their military service. While some supportive employers supplement reservist’s reduced military 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 28 Background and Assessment 

salaries for longer than required, the majority does not, leaving many returning soldiers in dire 

financial situations. 

Employment issues can be a factor even among reservists who work for supportive employers. 

Often, the challenges inherent in military duty can impact a soldier’s satisfaction with his or her 

civilian position. Thus, some returning veterans may benefit from a re-assessment of vocational 

interest and aptitude. 

Clinicians will also encounter veterans who have voluntarily and/or involuntarily ended their 

military service following their deployment to Iraq. Issues related to this separation may include 

the full-range of emotional responses including relief, anger, sadness, confusion and despair. 

Veterans in this position might benefit from employment related assessment and rehabilitation 

services including an exploration of career interests and aptitudes, counseling in resume building 

and job interviewing, vocational retraining, and emotional processing of psychological difficulties 

impeding work success and satisfaction. 

Interpersonal functioning. Another important area of assessment involves interpersonal 

functioning. Veterans of the Iraq war hold a number of interpersonal roles including son/daughter, 

husband/wife/partner, parent, and friend and all of these roles may be affected by the 

psychological consequences of their military service. A number of factors can affect interpersonal 

functioning including the quality of the relationship pre-deployment, the level of contact between 

the veteran and his or her social network during deployment, and the expectations and reality of 

the homecoming experience. 

The military offers some support mechanisms for the families of soldiers, which are aimed at 

shoring up these supportive relationships and smoothing the soldier’s readjustment upon return 

from Iraq. It can be useful to assess the extent to which a veteran and his or her family has used 

these services and how much they did or did not benefit from such services. It is important to note 

that these services do not always extend to non-married partners (of the same or different gender), 

sometimes leading to a more difficult and challenging homecoming experience. 

As with all areas of post-deployment adjustment, veterans may experience changes in their 

interpersonal functioning over time. It is not uncommon for families to first experience a 

“honeymoon” phase of reconnection marked by euphoria, excitement, and relief. However, a 

period of discomfort, role confusion, and renegotiating of relationship and roles can follow this 

initial phase. Thus, repeated assessment of interpersonal functioning over time can ensure that any 

relational difficulties that threaten the well-being of the veteran are detected and addressed. 

Depending on specific personal characteristics of the veteran, certain interpersonal challenges 

may be more or less relevant to assessment and treatment. For instance, younger veterans, 

particularly those who live with their family of origin, may have a particularly difficult time 

returning to their role as adult children. The process of serving active duty in a war-zone is a 

maturing one, and younger veterans may feel as if they have made a significant transition to 

adulthood that may conflict with parental expectations and demands over time. 

Veterans who are parents may feel somewhat displaced by the caretaker who played a primary 

role in their child’s life during deployment. Depending on their age, the children of veterans may 

exhibit a wide range of regressive and/or challenging behaviors that may surprise and tax their 

returning parent. This normal, expected adjustment can become problematic and prolonged if the 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 29 Background and Assessment 

veteran is struggling with his or her own psychological distress post-deployment. Thus, early (and 

repeated) assessment and early family oriented intervention may be indicated. 

Finally, homecoming and subsequent interpersonal functioning can be compounded if the veteran 

was physically wounded during deployment. Younger families may be particularly less prepared to 

deal with the added stress of recovery, rehabilitation and/or adjustment to a chronic physical 

disability. 

Recreation and self-care. Participation in recreational activities and engaging in good self-care are 

foundational aspects of positive psychological functioning. However, they are often overlooked in 

the assessment process. Some veterans who appear to be functioning well in other domains may 

be attending less to these areas of their lives, particularly if they are attempting to appear “stoic” 

and to keep busy in order to control any painful thoughts, feelings or images they may be 

struggling with. Thus, a brief assessment of engagement in and enjoyment of recreational and selfcare activities may provide some important information about how well the veteran is coping postdeployment. 

Physical functioning. Early assessment of the physical well being of veterans is critical. Sleep, 

appetite, energy level, and concentration can be impaired in the post-deployment phase as a result 

of exposure to potentially traumatizing experiences, the development of any of a number of 

physical disease processes and/or the sheer fatigue associated with military duty. Clinicians are 

again charged with the complex task of balancing the normalization of transient symptoms with 

the careful assessment of symptoms that could indicate more significant psychological or physical 

impairment. Consistent with good clinical practices, it is important to ensure that a veteran 

complaining of these and other somatic/psychological symptoms be referred for a complete 

physical examination to investigate any potential underlying physical pathology and to provide 

adequate interdisciplinary treatment planning. 

Psychological symptoms. Once the clinician gains an overall sense of the veteran’s level of 

psychosocial functioning, a broader assessment of psychological symptoms, and responses to 

those symptoms that may be impairing can be useful. However, this process can also be difficult 

and confusing since a wide range of emotional and cognitive responses to deployment and postdeployment stressors including increased fear and anxiety, sadness and grief, anger or rage, guilt, 

shame and disgust, ruminations and intrusive thoughts about past experiences, and worries and 

fears about future functioning may be expected. Often a good clinical interview can elicit some 

information about the most salient symptoms for a particular veteran, which can be supplemented 

with more structured assessment using diagnostic interviews and/or questionnaires. 

Again, clinicians must use their judgment in responding to transient normal responses to 

potentially traumatizing events versus symptoms that may reflect the development and/or 

exacerbation of a psychological disorder. Sometimes assessing both psychological responses and 

responses to those responses can help determine whether or not some form of treatment is 

indicated. For instance, veterans may appropriately respond to the presence of painful thoughts 

and feelings by crying, talking with others about their experiences, and engaging in other 

potentially valued activities such as spending time with friends and family. However, others may 

attempts to suppress, diminish or avoid their internal experiences of pain by using alcohol and/or 

drugs, disordered eating, self-injurious behaviors (such as cutting), dissociation and behavioral 

avoidance of external reminders or triggers of trauma-related stimuli. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide	 30 Background and Assessment 

Given that a full-range of psychological responses may be seen, and given that multiple symptoms 

(and comorbid disorders) may be present, one challenge to the clinician during the assessment 

process is to prioritize targets of potential treatment. A few general rules of thumb can be helpful: 

•	 First, one must immediately attend to symptoms that may require emergency intervention such 

as significant suicidal or homicidal ideation, hopelessness, self-injurious behavior and/or acute 

psychotic symptoms. 

•	 Second, it is useful to address symptoms that are most disruptive to the veteran (which should 

be evidenced by a careful assessment of psychosocial functioning). 

•	 Finally, the best way to develop a treatment plan for a veteran with diverse complaints is to 

develop a case formulation to functionally explain the potential relationship between the 

symptoms in order to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Substance abuse, disordered 

eating, and avoidance of trauma-related cues may all represent attempts to avoid thoughts, 

feelings and images of trauma-related experiences. Thus, developing an intervention that 

focuses on avoidance behavior per se, rather than on specific and diverse symptoms of 

avoidance, may be a more effective treatment strategy. 

Past distress and coping. In determining the extent of treatment needed for a particular presenting 

problem, an assessment of the history of the problem and the veteran’s previous responses to 

similar stressful experiences is useful. A general sense of pre-deployment work and interpersonal 

functioning, along with any significant psychological history can place current distress in context. 

A diathesis-stress model suggests that veterans with a history of mental health difficulties can be at 

increased risk for psychological problems following a stressful event such as deployment to a warzone, although this relationship is not absolute. 

Another area worth assessing, that can provide a wealth of pertinent information, is the veteran’s 

general orientation toward coping with difficult life events and its potential relationship to current 

painful thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations. Many veterans will enter into their military 

experience with a flexible and adaptive array of coping skills that they can easily bring to bear on 

their current symptoms. In other cases, veterans may have successfully used coping strategies in 

the past that are no longer useful in the face of the current magnitude of their symptoms. Coping 

styles can be assessed with one of a number of self-report measures. However, through a sensitive 

clinical interview, one can also get a general sense of how often the veteran generally uses 

common coping styles such as stoicism, social support, suppression and avoidance, and active 

problem solving. 

Previous traumatic events. While there is evidence in the literature for a relationship between 

repeated lifetime exposure to traumatic events and compromised post-event functioning, this 

relationship may be less evident among veterans who are seen in the months following their return 

from Iraq. However, there may still be important clinical information to be gained from assessing a 

veteran’s lifetime experience with such traumatic events such as childhood and adult sexual and 

physical abuse, domestic violence, involvement in motor vehicle or industrial accidents, and 

experience with natural disasters, as well as their immediate and long-term adjustment following 

those experiences. 

Deployment-related experiences. Obviously, the assessment of potentially traumatizing events 

that occurred during deployment will be an important precursor to treatment for many veterans of 

the Iraq War, particularly for those who struggle with symptoms of reexperiencing, avoidance/ 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 31 Background and Assessment 

numbing, dissociation, and/or increased arousal. VA clinicians are highly skilled in many of the 

clinical subtleties involved in this assessment such as the importance of providing a safe and 

nonjudgmental environment, allowing the veteran to set the pace and tone of the assessment, and 

understanding the myriad of issues that involve the disclosure of traumatic experiences such as 

shame, guilt, confusion, and the need by some soldiers to appear resilient and unaffected by their 

experiences. However, unique deployment stressors accompany involvement in each 

contemporary military action that may be important to assess. Thus, clinicians need to balance 

their use of current exposure assessment methods with openness to hearing and learning from 

each new veterans personal experience. 

Section 1 of the Deployment Risk and Resiliency Inventory, developed by Daniel and Lynda King 

and colleagues at the National Center for PTSD, can provide an excellent starting point for the 

assessment of deployment related stressors and buffers. Items on this measure were derived from 

focus groups with Persian Gulf veterans and they provide useful information about some of the 

newer stressors associated with contemporary deployments. 

The inventory is provided in Appendix D. Section 1 describes 9 domains of war-zone stressors that 

Iraq veterans may have experienced: preparedness, combat exposure, aftermath of battle, 

perceived threat, difficult living and working environment, concerns about life and family 

disruptions, ethnocultural stressors, perceived radiological, biological and chemical weapons 

exposure. A careful assessment of each of these domains can be useful both as a starting point for 

assessing any potential ASD and/or PTSD and more generally to establish a sense of the potential 

risk and resiliency factors that may bear on the veteran’s current and future functioning. 

Summary and Final Remarks 

Individuals join the military for a variety of reasons, from noble to mundane. Regardless, over 

time, soldiers develop a belief system (schema) about themselves, their role in the military, the 

military culture, etc. War can be traumatizing not only because of specific terrorizing or grotesque 

war-zone experiences but also due to dashed or painfully shattered expectations and beliefs about 

perceived coping capacities, military identity, and so forth. As a result, soldiers who present for 

care in VA Medical Centers may be disillusioned in one way or another. The clinician’s job is to 

gain an appreciation of the veteran’s prior schema about their role in the military (and society) and 

the trouble the person is having assimilating (incorporating) war-zone experiences into that 

existing belief system. Typically, in traumatized veterans, assimilation is impossible because of the 

contradictory nature of painful war-zone events. The resulting conflict is unsettling and disturbing. 

Any form of early intervention or treatment for chronic PTSD entails providing experiences and 

new knowledge so that accommodation of a new set of ideas about the self and the future can 

occur. 

A variety of factors including personal and cultural characteristics, orientation toward coping with 

stressors and painful emotions, pre-deployment training, military-related experiences, and postdeployment environment will shape responses to the Iraq War. Further, psychological responses to 

deployment experiences can be expected to change over time. While mental health professionals 

within the VA are among the most experienced and accomplished in assessing and treating 

chronic combat-related PTSD, veterans of the Iraq war can be expected to present unique clinical 

challenges. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 32 Background and Assessment 

The absence of immediate symptoms following exposure to a traumatic event is not necessarily 

predictive of a long-term positive adjustment. Depending on a variety of factors, veterans may 

appear to be functioning at a reasonable level immediately upon their return home particularly 

given their relief at having survived the war-zone and returned to family and friends. However, as 

life circumstances change, symptoms of distress may increase to a level worthy of clinical 

intervention. 

Even among those veterans who will need psychological services post-deployment, ASD and 

PTSD represent only two of a myriad of psychological presentations that are likely. Veterans of the 

Iraq war are likely to have been exposed to a wide variety of war-zone related stressors that can 

impact psychological functioning in a number of ways. 

The psychological assessment of veterans returning from Iraq is likely to be complicated and 

clinically challenging. We must enter into the assessment process informed about the possible 

stressors and difficulties that may be associated with service in Iraq and open to suspending any 

preconceived notions about how any given individual might react to their personal experience 

during war. It will be important for us to broadly assess functioning over a variety of domains, to 

provide referrals for acute needs, and to provide some normalizing, psychoeducational 

information to veterans and their families in an attempt to facilitate existing support networks and 

naturally occurring healing processes. Repeated assessment over time will best serve our veterans 

who may experience changing needs over the months and years following their wartime exposure. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 33 Treatment 

IV. Treatment of the Returning Iraq War Veteran
 

Josef I. Ruzek, Ph.D., Erika Curran, M.S.W., Matthew J. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., Fred D. Gusman, M.S.W.,
 

Steven M. Southwick, M.D., Pamela Swales, Ph.D., Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D., Patrician J. Watson, Ph.D., and
 

Julia Whealin, Ph.D.
 

In this section of the Iraq War Clinician Guide, we discuss treatment of veterans recently evacuated 

due to combat or war stress who are brought to the VA for mental health care, and Iraq War 

veterans seeking mental health care at VA medical centers and Vet Centers. This section 

complements discussion of special topics (e.g., treatment of medical casualties, identification and 

management of PTSD in the primary care setting, issues in caring for veterans who have been 

sexually assaulted, traumatic bereavement) that are addressed in other sections of this Guide. 

It is important that VA and Vet Center clinicians recognize that the skills and experience that they 

have developed in working with veterans with chronic PTSD will serve them well with those 

returning from the Iraq War. Their experience in talking about trauma, educating patients and 

families about traumatic stress reactions, teaching skills of anxiety and anger management, 

facilitating mutual support among groups of veterans, and working with trauma-related guilt, will 

all be useful and applicable. Here, we highlight some challenges for clinicians, discuss ways in 

which care of these veterans may differ from our usual contexts of care, and direct attention to 

particular methods and materials that may be relevant to the care of the veteran recently 

traumatized in war. 

The Helping Context: Active Duty vs. Veterans Seeking Health Care 

There are a variety of differences between the contexts of care for active duty military personnel 

and veterans normally being served in VA that may affect the way practitioners go about their 

business. First, many Iraq War patients will not be seeking mental health treatment. Some will 

have been evacuated for mental health or medical reasons and brought to VA, perhaps reluctant to 

acknowledge their emotional distress and almost certainly reluctant to consider themselves as 

having a mental health disorder (e.g., PTSD). Second, emphasis on diagnosis as an organizing 

principle of mental health care is common in VA. Patients are given DSM-IV diagnoses, and 

diagnoses drive treatment. This approach may be contrasted with that of frontline psychiatry, in 

which pathologization of combat stress reactions is strenuously avoided. The strong assumption is 

that most soldiers will recover, and that their responses represent a severe reaction to the traumatic 

stress of war rather than a mental illness or disorder. According to this thinking, the “labeling” 

process may be counterproductive in the context of early care for Iraq War veterans. As Koshes 

(1996) noted, “labeling a person with an illness can reinforce the “sick” role and delay or prevent 

the soldier’s return to the unit or to a useful role in military or civilian life” (p. 401). 

Patients themselves may have a number of incentives to minimize their distress: to hasten 

discharge, to accelerate a return to the family, to avoid compromising their military career or 

retirement. Fears about possible impact on career prospects are based in reality; indeed, some will 

be judged medically unfit to return to duty. Veterans may be concerned that a diagnosis of PTSD, 

or even Acute Stress Disorder, in their medical record may harm their chances of future 

promotion, lead to a decision to not be retained, or affect type of discharge received. Some may 

think that the information obtained if they receive mental health treatment will be shared with 

their unit commanders, as is sometimes the case in the military. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 34 Treatment 

To avoid legitimate concerns about possible pathologization of common traumatic stress reactions, 

clinicians may wish to consider avoiding, where possible, the assignment of diagnostic labels such 

as ASD or PTSD, and instead focus on assessing and documenting symptoms and behaviors. 

Diagnoses of acute or adjustment disorders may apply if symptoms warrant labeling. Concerns 

about confidentiality must be acknowledged and steps taken to create the conditions in which 

patients will feel able to talk openly about their experiences, which may include difficulties with 

commanders, misgivings about military operations or policies, or possible moral concerns about 

having participated in the war. It will be helpful for clinicians to know who will be privy to 

information obtained in an assessment. The role of the assessment and who will have access to 

what information should be discussed with concerned patients. 

Active duty service members may have the option to remain on active duty or to return to the war 

zone. Some evidence suggests that returning to work with one’s cohort group during wartime can 

facilitate improvement of symptoms. Although their wishes may or may not be granted, service 

members often have strong feelings about wanting or not wanting to return to war. For recently 

activated National Guard and Reservists, issues may be somewhat different (Dunning, 1996). 

Many in this population never planned to go to war and so may be faced with obstacles to picking 

up the life they “left.” Whether active duty, National Guard, or Reservist, listening to and 

acknowledging their concerns will help empower them and inform treatment planning. 

Iraq War patients entering residential mental health care will have come to the VA through a 

process different from that experienced by “traditional” patients. If they have been evacuated from 

the war zone, they will have been rapidly moved through several levels of medical triage and 

treatment, and treated by a variety of health care providers (Scurfield & Tice, 1991). Many will 

have received some mental health care in the war zone (e.g., stress debriefing) that will have been 

judged unsuccessful. Some veterans will perceive their need for continuing care as a sign of 

personal failure. Understanding their path to the VA will help the building of a relationship and the 

design of care. 

More generally, the returning soldier is in a state of transition from war zone to home, and 

clinicians must seek to understand the expectations and consequences of returning home for the 

veteran. Is the veteran returning to an established place in society, to an economically deprived 

community, to a supportive spouse or cohesive military unit, to a large impersonal city, to 

unemployment, to financial stress, to an American public thankful for his or her sacrifice? 

Whatever the circumstances, things are unlikely to be as they were: 

The deployment of the family member creates a painful void within the family system that is 

eventually filled (or denied) so that life can go on...The family assumes that their 

experiences at home and the soldier’s activities on the battlefield will be easily assimilated 

by each other at the time of reunion and that the pre-war roles will be resumed. The fact that 

new roles and responsibilities may not be given up quickly upon homecoming is not 

anticipated (Yerkes & Holloway, 1996, p. 31). 

Learning from Vietnam Veterans with Chronic PTSD 

From the perspective of work with Vietnam veterans whose lives have been greatly disrupted by 

their disorder, the chance to work with combat veterans soon after their war experiences 

represents a real opportunity to prevent the development of a disastrous life course. We have the 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 35 Treatment 

opportunity to directly focus on traumatic stress reactions and PTSD symptom reduction (e.g., by 

helping veterans process their traumatic experiences, by prescribing medications) and thereby 

reduce the degree to which PTSD, depression, alcohol/substance misuse, or other psychological 

problems interfere with quality of life. We also have the opportunity to intervene directly in key 

areas of life functioning, to reduce the harm associated with continuing post-traumatic stress 

symptoms and depression if those prove resistant to treatment. The latter may possibly be 

accomplished via interventions focused on actively supporting family functioning in order to 

minimize family problems, reducing social alienation and isolation, supporting workplace 

functioning, and preventing use of alcohol and drugs as self-medication (a different focus than 

addressing chronic alcohol or drug problems). 

Prevent family breakdown. At time of return to civilian life, soldiers can face a variety of 

challenges in re-entering their families, and the contrast between the fantasies and realities of 

homecoming (Yerkes & Holloway, 1996) can be distressing. Families themselves have been 

stressed and experienced problems as a result of the deployment (Norwood, Fullerton, & Hagen, 

1996; Jensen & Shaw, 1996). Partners have made role adjustments while the soldier was away, 

and these need to be renegotiated, especially given the possible irritability and tension of the 

veteran (Kirkland, 1995). The possibility exists that mental health providers can reduce long term 

family problems by helping veterans and their families anticipate and prepare for family 

challenges, involving families in treatment, providing skills training for patients (and where 

possible, their families) in family-relevant skills (e.g., communication, anger management, conflict 

resolution, parenting), providing short-term support for family members, and linking families 

together for mutual support. 

Prevent social withdrawal and isolation. PTSD also interferes with social functioning. Here the 

challenge is to help the veteran avoid withdrawal from others by supporting re-entry into existing 

relationships with friends, work colleagues, and relatives, or where appropriate, assisting in 

development of new social relationships. The latter may be especially relevant with individuals 

who leave military service and transition back into civilian life. Social functioning should be 

routinely discussed with patients and made a target for intervention. Skills training focusing on the 

concrete management of specific difficult social situations may be very helpful. Also, as indicated 

below, clinicians should try to connect veterans with other veterans in order to facilitate the 

development of social networks. 

Prevent problems with employment. Associated with chronic combat-related PTSD have been 

high rates of job turnover and general difficulty in maintaining employment, often attributed by 

veterans themselves to anger and irritability, difficulties with authority, PTSD symptoms, and 

substance abuse. Steady employment, however, is likely to be one predictor of better long term 

functioning, as it can reduce financial stresses, provide a source of meaningful activity and selfesteem, and give opportunities for companionship and friendship. In some cases, clinicians can 

provide valuable help by supporting the military or civilian work functioning of veterans, by 

teaching skills of maintaining or, in the case of those leaving the military, finding of employment, 

or facilitating job-related support groups. 

Prevent alcohol and drug abuse. The comorbidity of PTSD with alcohol and drug problems in 

veterans is well established (Ruzek, 2003). Substance abuse adds to the problems caused by PTSD 

and interferes with key roles and relationships, impairs coping, and impairs entry into and ongoing 

participation in treatment. PTSD providers are aware of the need to routinely screen and assess for 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 36 Treatment 

alcohol and drug use, and are knowledgeable about alcohol and drug (especially 12-Step) 

treatment. Many are learning, as well, about the potential usefulness of integrated PTSD-substance 

abuse treatment, and the availability of manualized treatments for this dual disorder. “Seeking 

Safety,” a structured group protocol for trauma-relevant coping skills training (Najavits, 2002), is 

seeing increased use in VA and should be considered as a treatment option for Iraq War veterans 

who have substance use disorders along with problematic traumatic stress responses. In addition, 

for many newly returning Iraq War veterans, it will be important to supplement traditional 

abstinence-oriented treatments with attention to milder alcohol problems, and in particular to 

initiate preventive interventions to reduce drinking or prevent acceleration of alcohol consumption 

as a response to PTSD symptoms (Bien, Miller, & Tonigan, 1993). For all returning veterans, it will 

be useful to provide education about safe drinking practices and the relationship between 

traumatic stress reactions and substance abuse. 

General Considerations in Care 

Connect with the returning veteran. As with all mental health counseling, the relationship 

between veteran and helper will be the starting point for care. Forming a working alliance with 

some returnees may be challenging, however, because most newly-returned veterans may be, as 

Litz (this Guide) notes, “defended, formal, respectful, laconic, and cautious” and reluctant to work 

with the mental health professional. Especially in the context of recent exposure to war, validation 

(Kirkland, 1995) of the veteran’s experiences and concerns will be crucial. Discussion of “war 

zone”, not “combat,” stress may be warranted because some traumatic stressors (e.g., body 

handling, sexual assault) may not involve war fighting as such. Thought needs to be given to 

making the male-centric hospital system hospitable for women, especially for women who have 

experienced sexual assault in the war zone (see Special Topic VI, this Guide), for whom simply 

walking onto the grounds of a VA hospital with the ubiquitous presence of men may create 

feelings of vulnerability and anxiety. 

Practitioners should work from a patient-centered perspective, and take care to find out the current 

concerns of the patient (e.g., fear of returning to the war zone, concerns about having been 

evacuated and what this means, worries about reactions of unit, fear of career ramifications, 

concern about reactions of family, concerns about returning to active duty). One advantage of 

such an orientation is that it will assist with the development of a helping relationship. 

Connect veterans with each other. In treatment of chronic PTSD, veterans often report that 

perhaps their most valued experience was the opportunity to connect in friendship and support 

with other vets. This is unlikely to be different for returning Iraq War veterans, who may benefit 

greatly from connection both with each other and with veterans of other conflicts. Fortunately, this 

is a strength of VA and Vet Center clinicians, who routinely and skillfully bring veterans together. 

Offer practical help with specific problems. Returning veterans are likely to feel overwhelmed 

with problems, related to workplace, family and friends, finances, physical health, and so on. 

These problems will be drawing much of their attention away from the tasks of therapy, and may 

create a climate of continuing stress that interferes with resolution of symptoms. The presence of 

continuing negative consequences of war deployment may help maintain post-traumatic stress 

reactions. Rather than treating these issues as distractions from the task at hand, clinicians can 

provide a valuable service by helping veterans identify, prioritize, and execute action steps to 

address their specific problems. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 37 Treatment 

Attend to broad needs of the person. Wolfe, Keane, and Young (1996) put forward several 

suggestions for clinicians serving Persian Gulf War veterans that are also important in the context 

of the Iraq War. They recommended attention to the broad range of traumatic experience (e.g., as 

discussed in Chapter III). They similarly recommended broad clinical attention to the impact of 

both pre-military and post-military stressors on adjustment. For example, history of trauma places 

those exposed to trauma in the war zone at risk for development of PTSD, and in some cases war 

experiences will activate emotions experienced during earlier events. Finally, recognition and 

referral for assessment of the broad range of physical health concerns and complaints that may be 

reported by returning veterans is important. Mental health providers must remember that increased 

health symptom reporting is unlikely to be exclusively psychogenic in origin (Proctor et al., 1998). 

Methods of Care: Overview 

Management of acute stress reactions and problems faced by recently returned veterans are 

highlighted below. Methods of care for the Iraq War veteran with PTSD will be similar to those 

provided to veterans with chronic PTSD. 

Education about post-traumatic stress reactions. Education is a key component of care for the 

veteran returning from war experience and is intended to improve understanding and recognition 

of symptoms, reduce fear and shame about symptoms, and, generally, “normalize” his or her 

experience. It should also provide the veteran with a clear understanding of how recovery is 

thought to take place, what will happen in treatment, and, as appropriate, the role of medication. 

With such understanding, stress reactions may seem more predictable and fears about long-term 

effects can be reduced. Education in the context of relatively recent traumatization (weeks or 

months) should include the conception that many symptoms are the result of psychobiological 

reactions to extreme stress and that, with time, these reactions, in most cases, will diminish. 

Reactions should be interpreted as responses to overwhelming stress rather than as personal 

weakness or inadequacy. In fact, some recent research (e.g., Steil & Ehlers, 2000) suggests that 

survivors’ own responses to their stress symptoms will in part determine the degree of distress 

associated with those symptoms and whether they will remit. Whether, for example, post-trauma 

intrusions cause distress may depend in part on their meaning for the person (e.g., “I’m going 

crazy”). 

Training in coping skills. Returning veterans experiencing recurrent intrusive thoughts and images, 

anxiety and panic in response to trauma cues, and feelings of guilt or intense anger are likely to 

feel relatively powerless to control their emotions and thoughts. This helpless feeling is in itself a 

trauma reminder. Because loss of control is so central to trauma and its attendant emotions, 

interventions that restore self-efficacy are especially useful. 

Coping skills training is a core element in the repertoire of many VA and Vet Center mental health 

providers. Some skills that may be effective in treating Iraq War veterans include: anxiety 

management (breathing retraining and relaxation), emotional “grounding,” anger management, 

and communication. However, the days, weeks, and months following return home may pose 

specific situational challenges; therefore, a careful assessment of the veteran’s current experience 

must guide selection of skills. For example, training in communication skills might focus on the 

problem experienced by a veteran in expressing positive feelings towards a partner (often 

associated with emotional numbing); anger management could help the veteran better respond to 

others in the immediate environment who do not support the war. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 38 Treatment 

Whereas education helps survivors understand their experience and know what to do about it, 

coping skills training should focus on helping them know how to do the things that will support 

recovery. It relies on a cycle of instruction that includes education, demonstration, rehearsal with 

feedback and coaching, and repeated practice. It includes regular between-session task 

assignments with diary self-monitoring and real-world practice of skills. It is this repeated practice 

and real world experience that begins to empower the veteran to better manage his or her 

challenges (see Najavits, 2002, for a useful manual of trauma-related coping skills). 

Exposure therapy. Exposure therapy is among the best-supported treatments for PTSD (Foa et al., 

2000). It is designed to help veterans effectively confront their trauma-related emotions and painful 

memories, and can be distinguished from simple discussion of traumatic experience in that it 

emphasizes repeated verbalization of traumatic memories (see Foa & Rothbaum, 1998, for a 

detailed exposition of the treatment). Patients are exposed to their own individualized fear stimuli 

repetitively, until fear responses are consistently diminished. Often, in-session exposure is 

supplemented by therapist-assigned and monitored self-exposure to the memories or situations 

associated with traumatization. In most treatment settings, exposure is delivered as part of a more 

comprehensive “package” treatment; it is usually combined with traumatic stress education, 

coping skills training, and, especially, cognitive restructuring (see below). Exposure therapy can 

help correct faulty perceptions of danger, improve perceived self-control of memories and 

accompanying negative emotions, and strengthen adaptive coping responses under conditions of 

distress. 

Cognitive restructuring. Cognitive therapy or restructuring, one of the best-validated PTSD 

treatments (Foa et al., 2000), is designed to help the patient review and challenge distressing 

trauma-related beliefs. It focuses on educating participants about the relationships between 

thoughts and emotions, exploring common negative thoughts held by trauma survivors, identifying 

personal negative beliefs, developing alternative interpretations or judgments, and practicing new 

thinking. This is a systematic approach that goes well beyond simple discussion of beliefs to 

include individual assessment, self-monitoring of thoughts, homework assignments, and real-world 

practice. In particular, it may be a most helpful approach to a range of emotions other than fear – 

guilt, shame, anger, depression – that may trouble veterans. For example, anger may be fueled by 

negative beliefs (e.g., about perceived lack of preparation or training for war experiences, about 

harm done to their civilian career, about perceived lack of support from civilians). Cognitive 

therapy may also be helpful in helping veterans cope with distressing changed perceptions of 

personal identity that may be associated with participation in war or loss of wartime identity upon 

return (Yerkes & Holloway, 1996). 

A useful resource is the Cognitive Processing Therapy manual developed by Resick and Schnicke 

(1993), which incorporates extensive cognitive restructuring and limited exposure. Although 

designed for application to rape-related PTSD, the methods can be easily adapted for use with 

veterans. Kubany’s (1998) work on trauma-related guilt may be helpful in addressing veterans’ 

concerns about harming or causing death to civilians. 

Family counseling. Mental health professionals within VA and Vet Centers have a long tradition of 

working with family members of veterans with PTSD. This same work, including family education, 

weekend family workshops, couples counseling, family therapy, parenting classes, or training in 

conflict resolution, will be very important with Iraq War veterans. Some issues in family work are 

discussed in more detail below. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 39 Treatment 

Early Interventions for ASD or PTSD 

If Iraq War veterans arrive at VA Medical Centers very soon (i.e., within several days or several 

weeks) following their trauma exposure, it is possible to use an early intervention to try to prevent 

development of PTSD. Although cognitive-behavioral early interventions have only been 

developed recently and have not yet been tried with war-related ASD, they should be considered 

as a treatment option for some returning veterans, given their impact with other traumas and 

consistency with what is known about treatment of more chronic PTSD. In civilian populations, 

several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that brief (i.e., 4-5 session) individuallyadministered cognitive-behavioral treatment, delivered around two weeks after a trauma, can 

prevent PTSD in some survivors of motor vehicle accidents, industrial accidents, and assault 

(Bryant et al., 1998, 1999) who meet criteria for ASD. 

This treatment is comprised of education, breathing training/relaxation, imaginal and in vivo 

exposure, and cognitive restructuring. The exposure and cognitive restructuring elements of the 

treatment are thought to be most helpful. A recent unpublished trial conducted by the same team 

compared cognitive therapy and exposure in early treatment of those with ASD, with results 

indicating that both treatments were effective with fewer patients dropping out of cognitive 

therapy. Bryant and Harvey (2000) noted that prolonged exposure is not appropriate for everyone 

(e.g., those experiencing acute bereavement, extreme anxiety, severe depression, those 

experiencing marked ongoing stressors or at-risk for suicide). Cognitive restructuring may have 

wider applicability in that it may be expected to produce less distress than exposure. 

Toxic Exposure, Physical Health Concerns, and Mental Health 

War syndromes have involved fundamental, unanswered questions about chronic somatic 

symptoms in armed conflicts since the U.S. civil war (Hyams et al., 1996). In recent history, 

unexplained symptoms have been reported by Dutch peacekeepers in Lebanon, Bosnia, and 

Cambodia, Russian soldiers in Afghanistan and Chechnya, Canadian peacekeepers in Croatia, 

soldiers in the Balkan war, individuals exposed to the El Al airliner crash, individuals given the 

anthrax vaccine, individuals exposed to the World Trade Center following 9/11, and soldiers in the 

Gulf War. Seventeen percent of Gulf War veterans believe they have “Gulf War Syndrome” 

(Chalder et al., 2001). 

Besides PTSD, modern veterans may experience a range of “amorphous stress outcomes” (Engel, 

2001). Factors contributing to these more amorphous syndromes include suspected toxic 

exposures, and ongoing chronic exhaustion and uncertainty. Belief in exposure to toxic 

contaminants has a strong effect on symptoms. Added to this, mistrust of military and industry, 

intense and contradictory media focus, confusing scientific debates, and stigma and 

medicalization can contribute to increased anxiety and symptoms. 

When working with a recent veteran, the clinician needs to address a full range of potentially 

disabling factors: harmful illness beliefs, weight and conditioning, diagnostic labeling, unnecessary 

testing, misinformation, over-medication, all or nothing rehabilitation approaches, medical system 

rejection, social support, and workplace competition. The provider needs to be familiar with side 

effects of suspected toxins so that he or she can educate the veteran, as well as being familiar with 

the potential somatic symptoms that are related to prolonged exposure to combat stressors, and the 

side effects of common medications. The provider should take a collaborative approach with the 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 40 Treatment 

patient, identifying the full range of contributing problems, patient goals and motivation, social 

support, and self-management strategies. A sustained follow-up is recommended. 

For those with inexplicable health problems, Fischoff and Wessely (2003) outlined some simple 

principles of patient management that may be useful in the context of veteran care: 

• Focus communication around patients’ concerns 

• Organize information coherently 

• Give risks as numbers 

• Acknowledge scientific uncertainty 

• Use universally understood language 

• Focus on relieving symptoms 

There is evidence that both cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) and exercise are effective 

for treating Gulf War illness. In a recent clinical trial, Donata et al. (2003) reported that CBGT 

improved physical function whereas exercise led to improvement in many of the symptoms of Gulf 

War veterans’ illnesses. Both treatments improved cognitive symptoms and mental health 

functioning, but neither improved pain. In this study, CBGT was specifically targeted at physical 

functioning, and included time-contingent activity pacing, pleasant activity scheduling, sleep 

hygiene, assertiveness skills, confrontation of negative thinking and affect, and structured problem 

solving skills. The low-intensity aerobic exercise intervention was designed to increase activity 

level by having veterans exercise once per week for one hour in the presence of an exercise 

therapist, and independently 2-3 times per week. These findings are important because they 

demonstrate that such treatments can be feasibly and successfully implemented in the VA health 

care system, and thus should be considered for the treatment of Iraq War veterans who present 

with unexplained physical symptoms. 

Family Involvement in Care 

The primary source of support for the returning soldier is likely to be his or her family. We know 

from veterans of the Vietnam War that there can be a risk of disengagement from family at the time 

of return from a war zone. We also know that emerging problems with ASD and PTSD can wreak 

havoc with the competency and comfort the returning soldier experiences as a partner and parent. 

While the returning soldier clearly needs the clinician’s attention and concern, that help can be 

extended to include his or her family as well. Support for the veteran and family can increase the 

potential for the veteran’s smooth immediate or eventual reintegration back into family life, and 

reduce the likelihood of future more damaging problems. 

Outpatient treatment. If the veteran is living at home, the clinician can meet with the family and 

assess with them their strengths and challenges and identify any potential risks. Family and 

clinician can work together to identify goals and develop a treatment plan to support the family’s 

reorganization and return to stability in coordination with the veteran’s work on his or her own 

personal treatment goals. 

If one or both partners are identifying high tension or levels of disagreement, or the clinician is 

observing that their goals are markedly incompatible, then issues related to safety need to be 

assessed and plans might need to be made that support safety for all family members. Couples 

who have experienced domestic violence and/or infidelity are at particularly high risk and in need 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 41 Treatment 

of more immediate support. When couples can be offered a safe forum for discussing, negotiating, 

and possibly resolving conflicts, that kind of clinical support can potentially help to reduce the 

intensity of the feelings that can become dangerous for a family. Even support for issues to be 

addressed by separating couples can be critically valuable, especially if children are involved and 

the parents anticipate future co-parenting. 

Residential rehabilitation treatment. Inpatient hospitalization could lengthen the time returning 

personnel are away from their families, or it could be an additional absence from the family for the 

veteran who has recently returned home. It is important to the ongoing support of the reuniting 

family that clinicians remain aware that their patient is a partner and/or parent. Family therapy 

sessions, in person or by phone if geographical distance is too great, can offer the family a forum 

for working toward meeting their goals. The potential for involving the patient’s family in treatment 

will depend on their geographic proximity to the treatment facility. Distance can be a barrier, but 

the family can still be engaged through conference phone calls, or visits as can be arranged. 

Pharmacotherapy 

Pharmacologic treatment of acute stress reactions. Pharmacological treatment for acute stress 

reactions (within one month of the trauma) is generally reserved for individuals who remain 

symptomatic after having already received brief crisis-oriented psychotherapy. This approach is in 

line with the deliberate attempt by military professionals to avoid medicalizing stress-related 

symptoms and to adhere to a strategy of immediacy, proximity, and positive expectancy. 

Prior to receiving medication for stress-related symptoms, the war zone survivor should have a 

thorough psychiatric and medical examination, with special emphasis on medical disorders that 

can manifest with psychiatric symptoms (e.g., subdural hematoma, hyperthyroidism), potential 

psychiatric disorders (e.g., acute stress disorder, depression, psychotic disorders, panic disorder), 

use of alcohol and substances of abuse, use of prescribed and over-the-counter medication, and 

possible drug allergies. It is important to assess the full range of potential psychiatric disorders, and 

not just PTSD, since many symptomatic soldiers will be at an age when first episodes of 

schizophrenia, mania, depression, and panic disorder are often seen. 

In some cases a clinician may need to prescribe psychotropic medications even before completing 

the medical or psychiatric examination. The acute use of medications may be necessary when the 

patient is dangerous, extremely agitated, or psychotic. In such circumstances the patient should be 

taken to an emergency room; short acting benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam) or high potency 

neuroleptics (e.g., Haldol) with minimal sedative, anticholinergic, and orthostatic side effects may 

prove effective. Atypical neuroleptics (e.g., risperidone) may also be useful for treating aggression. 

When a decision has been made to use medication for acute stress reactions, rational choices may 

include benzodiazepines, antiadrenergics, or antidepressants. Shortly after traumatic exposure, the 

brief prescription of benzodiazepines (4 days or less) has been shown to reduce extreme arousal 

and anxiety and to improve sleep. However, early and prolonged use of benzodiazepines is 

contraindicated, since benzodiazepine use for two weeks or longer has actually has been 

associated with a higher rate of subsequent PTSD. 

Although antiadrenergic agents including clonidine, guanfacine, prazosin, and propranolol have 

been recommended (primarily through open non-placebo controlled treatment trials) for the 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 42 Treatment 

treatment of hyperarousal, irritable aggression, intrusive memories, nightmares, and insomnia in 

survivors with chronic PTSD, there is only suggestive preliminary evidence of their efficacy as an 

acute treatment. Of importance, antiadrenergic agents should be prescribed judiciously for trauma 

survivors with cardiovascular disease due to potential hypotensive effects and these agents should 

also be tapered, rather than discontinued abruptly, in order to avoid rebound hypertension. 

Further, because antiadrenergic agents might interfere with counterregulatory hormone responses 

to hypoglycemia, they should not be prescribed to survivors with diabetes. 

Finally, the use of antidepressants may make sense within four weeks of war, particularly when 

trauma-related depressive symptoms are prominent and debilitating. To date, there has been one 

published report on the use of antidepressants for the treatment of Acute Stress Disorder. Recentlytraumatized children meeting criteria for Acute Stress Disorder, who were treated with imipramine 

for two weeks, experienced significantly greater symptom reduction than children who were 

prescribed chloral hydrate. 

Pharmacologic treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Pharmacotherapy is rarely used as a 

stand-alone treatment for PTSD and is usually combined with psychological treatment. The 

following text briefly presents recommendations for the pharmaco-therapeutic treatment of PTSD, 

and then the article by Friedman, Donnelly, and Mellman (2003) in Appendix H provides more 

detailed information. Findings from subsequent large-scale trials with paroxetine have 

demonstrated that SSRI treatment is clearly effective both for men in general and for combat 

veterans suffering with PTSD. 

We recommend SSRIs as first line medications for PTSD pharmacotherapy in men and women 

with military-related PTSD. SSRIs appear to be effective for all three PTSD symptom clusters in 

both men and women who have experienced a variety of severe traumas and they are also 

effective in treating a variety of co-morbid psychiatric disorders, such as major depression and 

panic disorder, which are commonly seen in individuals suffering with PTSD. Additionally, the 

side effect profile with SSRIs is relatively benign (compared to most psychotropic medications) 

although arousal and insomnia may be experienced early on for some patients with PTSD. 

Second line medications include nefazadone, TCAs, and MAOIs. Evidence favoring the use of 

these agents is not as compelling as for SSRIs because many fewer subjects have been tested at this 

point. The best evidence from open trials supports the use of nefazadone, which like SSRIs 

promotes serotonergic actions and is less likely than SSRIs to cause insomnia or sexual 

dysfunction. Trazadone, which has limited efficacy as a stand-alone treatment, has proven very 

useful as augmentation therapy with SSRIs; its sedating properties make it a useful bedtime 

medication that can antagonize SSRI-induced insomnia. Despite some favorable evidence of the 

efficacy of MAOIs, these compounds have received little experimental attention since 1990. 

Venlafaxine and buproprion cannot be recommended because they have not been tested 

systematically in clinical trials. 

There is a strong rationale from laboratory research to consider antiadrenergic agents. Iit is hoped 

that more extensive testing will establish their usefulness for PTSD patients. The best research on 

this class of agents has focused on prazosin, which has produced marked reduction in traumatic 

nightmares, improved sleep, and global improvement in veterans with PTSD. Hypotension and 

sedation need to be monitored. Patients should not be abruptly discontinued from antiadrenergics. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 43	 Treatment 

Despite suggestive theoretical considerations and clinical findings, there is only a small amount of 

evidence to support the use of carbamazepine or valproate with PTSD patients. Further, the 

complexities of clinical management with these effective anticonvulsants have shifted current 

attention to newer agents (e.g., gabapentin, lamotrigine, and topirimate), which have yet to be 

tested systematically with PTSD patients. 

Benzodiazepines cannot be recommended for patients with PTSD. They do not appear to have 

efficacy against core PTSD patients. No studies have demonstrated efficacy for PTSD-specific 

symptoms. 

Conventional antipsychotics cannot be recommended for PTSD patients. Preliminary results 

suggest, however, that atypical antipsychotics may be useful, especially to augment treatment with 

first or second line medications, especially for patients with intense hypervigilance or paranoia, 

agitation, dissociation, or brief psychotic reactions associated with their PTSD. As for side effects, 

all atypicals may produce weight gain and olanzapine treatment has been linked to the onset of 

Type II diabetes mellitus. 

General guidelines. Pharmacotherapy should be initiated with SSRI agents. Patients who cannot 

tolerate SSRIs or who show no improvement might benefit from nefazadone, MAOIs, or TCAs. 

For patients who exhibit a partial response to SSRIs, one should consider continuation or 

augmentation. A recent trial with sertraline showed that approximately half of all patients who 

failed to exhibit a successful clinical response after 12 weeks of sertraline treatment, did respond 

when SSRI treatment was extended for another 24 weeks. Practically speaking, clinicians and 

patients usually will be reluctant to stick with an ineffective medication for 36 weeks, as in this 

experiment. Therefore, augmentation strategies seem to make sense. Here are a few suggestions 

based on clinical experience and pharmacological “guesstimates,” rather than on hard evidence: 

•	 Excessively aroused, hyperreactive, or dissociating patients might be helped by augmentation 

with an antiadrenergic agent; 

•	 Labile, impulsive, and/or aggressive patients might benefit from augmentation with an 

anticonvulsant; 

•	 Fearful, hypervigilant, paranoid, and psychotic patients might benefit from an atypical 

antipsychotic. 

Integrating Iraq War Soldiers into Existing Specialized PTSD Services 

Iraq War service members with stress-related problems may need to be integrated into existing VA 

PTSD Residential Rehabilitation Programs or other VA mental health programs. Approaches to this 

integration of psychiatric evacuees will vary and each receiving site will need to determine its own 

“best fit” model for provision of services and integration of veterans. At the National Center’s PTSD 

Residential Rehabilitation Program in the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, it is anticipated that 

Iraq War patients will generally be integrated with the rest of the milieu (e.g., for community 

meetings, affect management classes, conflict resolution, communication skills training), with the 

exception of identified treatment components. The latter elements of treatment, in which Iraq War 

veterans will work together, will include process, case management, and acute stress/PTSD 

education groups (and, if delivered in groups, exposure therapy, cognitive restructuring, and 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 44 Treatment 

family/couples counseling). The thoughtful mixing of returning veterans with veterans from other 

wars/conflicts is likely, in general, to enhance the treatment experience of both groups. 

Practitioner Issues 

Working with Iraq War veterans affected by war zone trauma is likely to be emotionally difficult 

for therapists. It is likely to bring up many feelings and concerns - reactions to stories of death and 

great suffering, judgments about the morality of the war, reactions to patients who have killed, 

feelings of personal vulnerability, feelings of therapeutic inadequacy, perceptions of a lack of 

preparation for acute care - that may affect ability to listen empathically to the patient and 

maintain the therapeutic relationship (Sonnenberg, 1996). Koshes (1996) suggested that those at 

greatest risk for strong personal reactions might be young, inexperienced staff who are close in age 

to patients and more likely to identify with them, and technicians or paraprofessional workers who 

may have less formal education about the challenges associated with treating these patients but 

who actually spend the most time with patients. Regardless of degree of experience, all mental 

health workers must monitor themselves and practice active self-care, and managers must ensure 

that training, support, and supervision are part of the environment in which care is offered. 

References and Additional Resources 

Bien, T.H., Miller, W.R., & Tonigan, J.S. (1993). Brief interventions for alcohol problems: A review. 

Addiction, 88, 315-335. 

Bryant, R.A., & Harvey, A.G. (2000). Acute stress disorder: A handbook of theory, assessment, and 

treatment. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 

Bryant, R.A., Harvey, A.G., Basten, C., Dang, S.T., & Sackville, T. (1998). Treatment of acute stress disorder: 

A comparison of cognitive-behavioral therapy and supportive counseling. Journal of Consulting and 

Clinical Psychology, 66, 862-866. 

Bryant, R.A., Sackville, T., Dang, S.T., Moulds, M., & Guthrie, R. (1999). Treating acute stress disorder: An 

evaluation of cognitive behavior therapy and supportive counseling techniques. American Journal of 

Psychiatry, 156, 1780-1786. 

Catherall, D. R. (1992). Back from the brink: A family guide to overcoming traumatic stress. New York: 

Bantam Books. 

Chalder, T., Hotopf, M., Unwin, C., Hull, L., Ismail, K., David, A., et al. (2001). Prevalence of Gulf war 

veterans who believe they have Gulf war syndrome: questionnaire study. British Medical Journal, 323, 

473-476. 

Curran, E. (1996). Parenting group manual. Menlo Park, CA: National Center for PTSD.
 

Curran, E. (1997). Fathers with war-related PTSD. National Center for PTSD Clinical Quarterly, 7(2), 30-33.
 

Donta, S.T., Clauw, D.J., Engel, C.C., Guarino, P., Peduzzi, P., Williams, D.A., et al. (2003). Cognitive
 

behavioral therapy and aerobic exercise for Gulf War veterans’ illnesses: A randomized controlled trial. 

Journal of the American Medical Association, 289, 1396-1404. 

Dunning, C.M. (1996). From citizen to soldier: Mobilization of reservists. In R.J. Ursano & A.E. Norwood 

(Eds.), Emotional aftermath of the Persian Gulf War: Veterans, families, communities, and nations (pp. 

197-225). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press. 

Engel, C. (2001). Outbreaks of medically unexplained physical symptoms after military action, terrorist 

threat, or technological disaster. Military Medicine, 166(12) Supplement 2, 47-48. 

Figley, C. (1989). Helping traumatized families. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. 

Fischoff, B., & Wessely, S. (2003). Managing patients with inexplicable health problems. British Medical 

Journal, 326, 595-597. 

Foa, E.B., Keane, T.M., & Friedman, M.J. (2000). Effective treatments for PTSD: Practice guidelines from the 

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. New York: Guilford. 

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Foa, E.B., & Rothbaum, B.O. (1998). Treating the trauma of rape: Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD. 

New York: Guilford. 

Gimbel, C., & Booth, A. (1994). Why does military combat experience adversely affect marital relations? 

Journal of Marriage and the Family, 56, 691-703. 

Harkness, L., & Zador, N. (2001). Treatment of PTSD in families and couples. In J. Wilson, M.J. Friedman, & 

J. Lindy (Eds.), Treating psychological trauma and PTSD (pp. 335-353). New York: Guilford. 

Hyams, C., Wignall, S., & Roswell, R. (1996). War syndromes and their evaluation: From the U.S. Civil war 

to the Persian Gulf war. Annals of Internal Medicine, 125, 398-405. 

Jensen, P.S., & Shaw, J.A. (1996). The effects of war and parental deployment upon children and 

adolescents. In R.J. Ursano & A.E. Norwood (Eds.), Emotional aftermath of the Persian Gulf War: 

veterans, families, communities, and nations (pp. 83-109). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press. 

Kirkland, F.R. (1995). Postcombat reentry. In F.D. Jones, L. Sparacino, V.L. Wilcox, J.M. Rothberg, & J.W. 

Stokes (Eds.), War psychiatry (pp. 291-317). Washington, DC: Office of the Surgeon General. 

Koshes, R.J. (1996). The care of those returned: Psychiatric illnesses of war. In R.J. Ursano & A.E. Norwood 

(Eds.), Emotional aftermath of the Persian Gulf War: Veterans, families, communities, and nations (pp. 

393-414). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press. 

Kubany, E.S. (1998). Cognitive therapy for trauma-related guilt. In V.M. Follette, J.I. Ruzek, & F.R. Abueg 

(Eds.), Cognitive-behavioral therapies for trauma (pp. 124-161). New York: Guilford. 

Najavits, L.M. (2002). Seeking safety: A treatment manual for PTSD and substance abuse. New York: 

Guilford. 

Norwood, A.E., Fullerton, C.S., & Hagen, K.P. (1996). Those left behind: Military families. In R.J. Ursano & 

A.E. Norwood (Eds.), Emotional aftermath of the Persian Gulf War: Veterans, families, communities, and 

nations (pp. 163-196). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press. 

Ouimette, P., & Brown, P.J. (2002). Trauma and substance abuse: Causes, consequences, and treatment of 

comorbid disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 

Proctor, S.P., Heeren, T., White, R.F., Wolfe, J., Borgos, M.S., Davis, J.D., et al. (1998). Health status of 

Persian Gulf War veterans: Self-reported symptoms, environmental exposures and the effect of stress. 

International Journal of Epidemiology, 27, 1000-1010. 

Resick, P.S., & Schnicke, M.K. (2002). Cognitive processing therapy for rape victims: A treatment manual. 

Newbury Park, CA: Sage. 

Riggs, D.S. (2000). Marital and family therapy. In E.B. Foa, T.M. Keane, & M.J. Friedman (Eds.), Effective 

treatments for PTSD: Practice guidelines from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (pp. 

280–301). New York: Guilford. 

Ruzek, J.I. (2003). Concurrent posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder among veterans: 

Evidence and treatment issues. In P. Ouimette & P.J. Brown (Eds.), Trauma and substance abuse: 

Causes, consequences, and treatment of comorbid disorders (pp. 191-207). Washington, DC: American 

Psychological Association. 

Scurfield, R.M., & Tice, S. (1991). Acute psycho-social intervention strategies with medical and psychiatric 

evacuees of “Operation Desert Storm” and their families. Operation Desert Storm Clinician Packet. 

White River Junction, VT: National Center for PTSD. 

Sonnenberg, S.M. (1996). The problems of listening. In R.J. Ursano & A.E. Norwood (Eds.), Emotional 

aftermath of the Persian Gulf War: Veterans, families, communities, and nations (pp. 353-367). 

Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press. 

Steil, R., & Ehlers, A. (2000). Dysfunctional meaning of posttraumatic intrusions in chronic PTSD. Behaviour 

Research and Therapy, 38, 537-558. 

Wolfe, J.W., Keane, T.M., & Young, B.L. (1996). From soldier to civilian: Acute adjustment patterns of 

returned Persian Gulf veterans. In R.J. Ursano & A.E. Norwood (Eds.), Emotional aftermath of the Persian 

Gulf War: Veterans, families, communities, and nations (pp. 477-499). Washington, DC: American 

Psychiatric Press. 

Yerkes, S.A., & Holloway, H.C. (1996). War and homecomings: The stressors of war and of returning from 

war. In R.J. Ursano & A.E. Norwood (Eds.), Emotional aftermath of the Persian Gulf War: Veterans, 

families, communities, and nations (pp. 25-42). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 46 Medical Casualty Evacuees 

V. Treatment of Medical Casualty Evacuees 

Josef I. Ruzek, Ph.D. and Harold Kudler, M.D. 

Men and women evacuated from the war zone due to physical injury are at higher-risk than other 

soldiers for development of PTSD and other trauma-related problems. If the VA serves as a care 

facility for Iraq War medical casualties, it will be important that clinical attention be given not just 

to their physical recovery and health, but to their mental health needs. Failure to do so may be to 

lose a significant and unique opportunity for early intervention to prevent development of more 

chronic emotional and behavioral problems. In this section of the Iraq War Clinician Guide we 

outline some considerations related to the integration of mental health care with physical care of 

recently evacuated Iraq War veterans. (See also Chapter IV for general treatment considerations). 

This kind of activity represents a challenge for VA mental health professionals. While VA PTSD, 

behavioral medicine, and other mental health practitioners are familiar with delivery of traumatic 

stress assessment and treatment to help-seeking veterans with chronic PTSD or general health 

problems, they are less likely to have delivered such services to individuals who have been injured 

during very recent exposure to traumas of war. More generally, focus on treatment of physical 

problems is often accompanied by a strong desire on the part of both patient and provider to avoid 

discussing emotional issues (Scurfield & Tice, 1991). 

Offering Comprehensive Care 

Traumatic stress-related interventions should be presented as part of routine care given to all 

patients, and framed as a component of a comprehensive response to the needs of the veteran, in 

which the whole person is treated. Stress-related education will be helpful for all patients, 

including those not showing traumatic stress reactions, because health problems inevitably bring 

stress and challenges in coping. 

Most medical casualties will not be seeking mental health care. Many can be expected to be 

reluctant to acknowledge their emotional distress and some will be concerned that a mental health 

diagnosis (e.g., PTSD) in their medical record may harm their chances of future promotion. 

Therefore, clinicians need to minimize mental health jargon, avoid pathologizing common stress 

reactions, and be thoughtful about assignment of DSM-IV diagnoses. 

Helping Services 

In civilian work with patients receiving hospital care for traumatic injury, mental health services 

are not routinely delivered. However, the VA service delivery context has a number of potential 

advantages compared with other post-trauma intervention settings (e.g., disaster mental health 

services, hospital trauma centers). These advantages are based on the availability of experienced 

mental health professionals with expertise in traumatic stress care, and include opportunities for: 

routine screening, routine patient education, careful individual assessment, psychiatric 

consultation, individualized mental health treatment with multi-session contact, family 

involvement in care, and mobilization of group support from other hospitalized Iraq War veterans 

and veterans of other wars. In other words, there is the opportunity to deliver a level of intensity of 

care that is matched to the veteran, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all, brief intervention. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 47 Medical Casualty Evacuees 

Routine screening. Proactive care of returning veterans will require that they be routinely screened 

for post-traumatic distress and mental health problems. In the absence of direct enquiry about 

distress and symptoms, it is likely that many individuals with significant problems will be missed. 

Iraq War veterans, like other populations, cannot be expected to spontaneously disclose their 

distressing war experiences and associated problems. Several paper-and-pencil screens are 

available (see Assessment and Primary Care sections). It is important for mental health 

professionals to become a routine presence on medical and surgical settings. Rather than appear 

with a series of medical questions, it is more helpful to present as a member of the team who 

would like to be helpful and who has time to listen, answer questions, or help with a problem. 

This approach, sometimes referred to as “therapy by walking around,” is consistent with the 

importance of not pathologizing reactions to overwhelming stress. It fosters trust and openness and 

still offers opportunities, if needed, for further assessment, triage, and treatment. 

Routine patient education. A good way to present services is to frame them as patient education in 

stress management. Patient education will offer a primary means of initiating proactive mental 

health care. Patients may differ greatly in their receptiveness to such discussions, and staff must 

remain sensitive to the state of readiness of each individual patient, and vary their approach and 

degree of discussion accordingly. However, it is important to initiate some discussion; failure to do 

so may encourage emotional avoidance and miss a significant and perhaps unique opportunity to 

offer preventive care. Group education “classes” can be helpful in making such discussions more 

acceptable to patients. They also provide opportunities for more receptive patients to model open 

communication and disclosure of personal stress reactions, thoughts, and feelings. 

Assessment. Administration of screening tools and patient education activities offer chances to 

determine which veterans will benefit from a more detailed assessment. Suggestions for the 

conduct of individual assessment are outlined in the Assessment section of this Guide, and the 

Instrumentation section draws attention to some useful assessment tools. In assessing stressors 

experienced in the war zone, clinicians should also take care to actively inquire about experiences 

associated with medical care and evacuation. Those being evacuated are often exposed to the 

suffering and death of other wounded vets. Preliminary work in the civilian sector suggests that the 

majority of injured patients values the opportunity to undergo a comprehensive psychosocial 

assessment during hospitalization, despite any inconvenience or distress caused by the process 

(Ruzek & Zatzick, 2000). 

Psychiatric consultation. In addition to their role in providing the various helping services listed in 

this section, consultation with psychiatry is especially important given the wide range of possible 

patient presentations and possible usefulness of psychotropic medications. In addition to 

ASD/PTSD, depression, and substance abuse, a large variety of mental health disorders (including 

other anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, somatoform disorders, psychosomatic disorders, 

conversion disorders, dissociative amnesia disorder, and dissociative identity disorder) may be 

associated with exposure to combat and other war zone stressors. Medications may be useful in 

treating traumatic stress symptoms, associated disorders, and associated problems (e.g., sleep, 

nightmares). Mental health staff need to partner with Med/Surg nursing staff because these are the 

people who will know which patients are sleeping well, crying out in their dreams, having 

problems before or after family meetings, etc. Chaplain service is another valuable partner as they 

are a regular presence on Med/Surg units and because military personnel are used to sharing 

stress-related issues with military chaplains. It is essential to promote a team approach in which 

mental health can be a full partner in the response to medical and/or surgical patients. 

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Individualized treatment. The Treatment section of this Guide outlines a variety of considerations 

related to delivery of services. If treatments involving exploration of traumatic experiences, 

cognitive restructuring, or skills training are delivered, they should include multiple treatment 

sessions. Where patients report symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of Acute Stress Disorder or 

PTSD, cognitive-behavioral treatments, comprised of education, breathing training/relaxation, 

imaginal and in vivo exposure, and cognitive restructuring, should be considered, given the 

evidence for their effectiveness with other trauma populations with ASD (Bryant, Harvey, Dang, 

Sackville, & Basten, 1998; Bryant, Sackville, Dang, Moulds, & Guthrie, 1999) and PTSD (e.g., 

Rothbaum, Meadows, Resick, & Foy, 2000). Existing alcohol and drug problems should be treated, 

and brief preventive alcohol interventions should be routinely administered to all other veterans 

who consume alcohol, given the strong association between PTSD and alcohol problems 

(Ouimette & Brown, 2002). In the civilian sector, a brief alcohol intervention provided to heavy 

drinking hospital trauma center patients resulted in significant decreases in drinking levels 

(Gentilello et al., 1999). 

In addition to such treatment, mental health practitioners can help injured and ill returnees cope 

more effectively with some of the specific challenges associated with their medical condition. 

They can help patients prepare for medical procedures (e.g., surgery) that are often experienced as 

trauma reminders. Such help may be especially important with sexual assault survivors, because 

health care examinations may present powerful triggers for traumatic stress reactions. For example, 

Resnick, Acierno, Holmes, Kilpatrick, and Jager (1999) developed a 17-minute educational 

videotape to prepare sexually-assaulted women to undergo forensic rape examinations. Shown to 

women immediately before the exam, the video provided information about exam procedures, 

showed model victims calmly completing the procedures, and instructed viewers in self-directed 

exposure exercises, ways of reducing avoidance, and ways of improving mood and lowering 

anxiety. Women viewing the video had significantly lower post-exam distress ratings and anxiety 

symptoms than non-viewers. Mental health professionals can also teach ways of managing pain, 

an important goal given that post-trauma pain has sometimes been found to predict PTSD. 

Generally, illness and the patient role are often associated with perceptions of lack of control, and 

providers need to find ways to involve their patients as active participants in their medical care, by 

giving information about medical conditions and procedures and maximizing patient choice 

wherever possible. 

Family involvement in care. One of the primary concerns and tasks facing the veteran is 

reconnection with the family. This may present some challenges for those evacuated due to injury 

or illness. Veterans and family members alike may feel awkward and unsure of how to talk to each 

other about what has happened. Scurfield and Tice (1991) identified a variety of family concerns 

and difficulties, including that families may feel embarrassment or shame about the emotional 

“breakdown” of the veteran, anger at the veteran for abandoning the family or jeopardizing its 

financial security, or guilt about having encouraged or allowed the veteran to go to war. Some 

hospitalized patients may not wish to have immediate contact with their families. Whatever the 

situation, mental health professionals can provide a valuable service in helping prepare patients 

and families alike for their initial reunion, and helping them address their emerging challenges. 

(See Chapter IV for a more detailed discussion of family involvement in treatment). 

Group support. Groups are likely to be helpful for and well received by Iraq War veterans. They 

may create a forum in which stress reactions can be normalized, education delivered, support 

given and received, and skills practiced. Groups can be expected to foster a sense of belonging to 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 49 Medical Casualty Evacuees 

counter the feelings of loneliness and isolation so often experienced by returning veterans (Wain & 

Jaccard, 1996). Providers may wish to consider integrating Iraq War soldiers into existing 

specialized PTSD group services, to help the younger veterans connect with veterans of other 

conflicts, and to provide them with a valuable perspective on their problems. 

Support for health care providers. In addition to consulting with the medical care team and 

providing direct education, assessment, treatment, and group therapy services, mental health 

workers can offer a valuable service in training, and providing structured emotional support for 

health care workers serving casualties. Experience in military medical programs and in postdisaster situations such as the aftermath of the attacks of September 11th clearly point to the 

importance of taking good care of your staff. This is primarily accomplished by making sure that 

they take good care of themselves. Extended tours of duty are common in emergency situations 

but individual staff can only function under such conditions for so long. It is important to cultivate 

a professional culture in which people take regular breaks, get reasonable sleep and food, and 

have regular contact with their own colleagues, friends and family in order to support their 

continued work with casualties and their families. 

References 

Bryant, R.A., Harvey, A.G., Dang, S.T., Sackville, T., & Basten, C. (1998). Treatment of acute stress disorder: 

A comparison of cognitive-behavioral therapy and supportive counseling. Journal of Consulting and 

Clinical Psychology, 66, 862-866. 

Bryant, R.A., Sackville, T., Dang, S.T., Moulds, M., & Guthrie, R. (1999). Treating acute stress disorder: An 

evaluation of cognitive behavior therapy and supportive counseling techniques. American Journal of 

Psychiatry, 156, 1780-1786. 

Gentilello, L.M., Rivara, F.P., Donovan, D.M., Jurkovich, G.J., Daranciang, E., Dunn, C. W., et al. (1999). 

Alcohol interventions in a trauma center as a means of reducing the risk of injury recurrence. Annals of 

Surgery, 230, 473-483. 

Resnick, H., Acierno, R., Holmes, M., Kilpatrick, D.G., & Jager, N. (1999). Prevention of post-rape 

psychopathology: Preliminary findings of a controlled acute rape treatment study. Journal of Anxiety 

Disorders, 13, 359-370. 

Rothbaum, B.O., Meadows, E.A., Resick, P., & Foy, D.W. (2000). Cognitive-behavioral therapy. In E.B. Foa, 

T.M. Keane, & M.J. Friedman (Eds.), Effective treatments for PTSD: Practice guidelines from the 

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (pp. 60–83). New York: Guilford. 

Ruzek, J.I. & Zatzick, D.F. (2000). Ethical considerations in research participation among acutely injured 

trauma survivors: An empirical investigation. General Hospital Psychiatry, 22, 27-36. 

Ruzek, J.I. (2002). Concurrent posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder among veterans: 

Evidence and treatment issues. In P. Ouimette & P.J. Brown (Eds.), Trauma and substance abuse: 

Causes, consequences, and treatment of comorbid disorders (pp. 191-207). Washington, DC: American 

Psychological Association. 

Scurfield, R.M., & Tice, S. (1991). Acute psycho-social intervention strategies with medical and psychiatric 

evacuees of “Operation Desert Storm” and their families. Operation Desert Storm Clinician Packet. 

White River Junction, VT: National Center for PTSD. 

Wain, H.J., & Jaccard, J.T. (1996). Psychiatric intervention with medical and surgical patients of war. In R.J. 

Ursano & A.E. Norwood (Eds.), Emotional aftermath of the Persian Gulf War: Veterans, families, 

communities, and nations (pp. 415-442). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 50 Traumatized Amputee 

VI. Treating the Traumatized Amputee
 

Harold J. Wain, Ph.D, COL Stephen J. Cozza, MAJ Geoffrey G. Grammer, Marvin A. Oleshansky, M.D, COL
 

Dermot M. Cotter, MAJ Mark F. Owens, Catherine M. DeBoer, MAJ Erin C. McLaughlin, Corina M. Miller,
 

L.C.S.W., and Rosalie M. Kogan, L.C.S.W.
 

Although injuries resulting from war produce many turbulent and confused emotions, the needs of 

those who suffer amputations are unique. Amputation or blindness results in a loss of body 

function and is an insult to the patient's psychological sense of body integrity and competence. In 

addition to the loss of body parts, service members often must endure other injuries, as well as 

psychological traumas. Fear of persistent threats, anxiety related to military career curtailment, and 

reactions to other past overwhelming experiences may all contribute to the complex turmoil with 

which they struggle. Any of the above by itself is enough to overwhelm one’s psychological 

equilibrium. Combined with the loss of a limb, eye, or other body part, additional trauma can be 

exceptionally devastating. 

Caring for the amputee patient requires a biopsychosocial approach. The initial clinical focus is 

rightly on medical stabilization. Follow-on rehabilitation focuses on restoring the individual to the 

greatest physical, psychological, social and economic functioning possible (Haslam et al., 1960; 

Mendelson, Burech, Phillips, & Kappel, 1986). A successful team approach to rehabilitation 

includes the patient, physicians, nurses, therapists, and family members working together to create 

short and long term goals for the patient’s rehabilitation. As the medical injury stabilizes, attention 

must shift to ensure the psychological well being of the patient and the support of his/her confident 

reintegration into society. 

This chapter focuses on the unique psychological needs of the amputee patient. A brief review of 

the literature on treatment of amputee patients is provided. As members of the Walter Reed Army 

Medical Center Psychiatry Consultation Liaison Service (WRAMC PCLS) at the military medical 

center receiving the majority of amputees from Operation Iraqi Freedom, we provide a description 

of the amputee population treated and the therapeutic practices that have appeared to be most 

successfully implemented. 

A Brief Review of the Literature Regarding Treatment of Amputees 

The literature reports a variety of emotions that occur in the amputee after the initial trauma and 

throughout the rehabilitation process. Depression, anxiety, resentment, anger, fear, helplessness, 

hopelessness, as well as loss of body integrity have all been described in this population (Brown, 

1990; Caine, 1973; Olson, 2002). Amputees may also develop grief responses (Olson, 2002), 

relationship difficulties (Mendelson et al., 1986), body image problems (Ronaldson, 2000), or 

phantom limb pain (Murray & Fox, 2002). Changes in physical appearance may complicate 

interpersonal relationships (Hanna, 1996) or create discomfort with sexual intimacy (Ronaldson, 

2002). Murray and Fox (2002) reported that patients with fewer emotional problems and good 

social support had better outcomes in adjusting to prostheses. Therefore, treatment of the 

amputee’s psychiatric symptoms may also help restore function. 

Brown (1990) highlighted the positive impact of social support during the rehabilitation process. 

He discussed the benefit of directing psychological interventions toward helping the amputee 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 51 Traumatized Amputee 

regain independence and reinforcing his/her strengths. Staff from surgical, medical, nursing, and 

psychiatry services as well as physical and occupational therapists play an important role in the 

psychological rehabilitation of the amputee. Mendelson et al. (1986) described how all staff 

members may need to be prepared for the sometimes draining job of providing emotional support 

to amputee patients. He stressed the importance of medical staff recognizing that patients who are 

highly anxious and fearful prior to surgery are more likely to be angry and resentful toward their 

surgeon later on. The medical staff may be able to alleviate some of this anxiety by taking the time 

to listen and validate patient fears (Mendelson et al., 1986). 

Gerhards, Florin, and Theodore (1984) emphasized the necessity of establishing a safe place in 

which patients can discuss their anxieties and concerns. These authors proposed that allowing the 

patient to discuss personal problems in confidence possibly will facilitate positive rehabilitation 

outcomes. Therapeutic groups may serve this purpose well. Such amputee groups provide patients 

with social support as well as a safe environment in which to discuss the details surrounding their 

amputation and any perceived problems with rehabilitation. Patients are able to gain support from 

other patients in similar situations. Fisher and Samelson (1971) found that holding group 

discussions for amputees facilitated patient’s acceptance of the amputation. Caine (1973) reported 

similar findings. The WRAMC PCLS service has published reports regarding the benefit of group 

therapy with injured military members (to include some amputees) during Operation Desert Storm 

(Wain & Jacaard, 1996), following the embassy bombing in Nairobi (Wain & Stasinos, 1999), and 

during the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (Wain, Grammer, Stasinos et al., 2004). 

Depending upon the particular psychiatric symptoms or diagnoses that present as a result of an 

amputation trauma, a variety of specific treatments may be appropriate. The authors will not 

review this wide-ranging literature. Of course, the treatments of choice for patients suffering from 

mood or anxiety disorders (the more likely diagnoses in amputee patients) include 

pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Pharmacological treatment of insomnia is also indicated. 

Those patients specifically suffering from PTSD may additionally benefit from cognitive behavioral 

approaches that include some elements of exposure as well as cognitive restructuring. 

The WRAMC Amputee Population 

Since the onset of Operation Iraqi Freedom more than 75 amputee patients have been treated at 

WRAMC. This number reflects approximately one-quarter of the total returning battle-injured 

patients. Within this amputee group, just over half were lower limb amputations (either unilateral 

or bilateral above or below knee amputations). Sixteen percent were categorized as eye injuries or 

enucleations that resulted in blindness. The remainder related to arm, hand, finger, or foot 

amputations. The psychological impact of the amputation varied, depending upon the loss of body 

part and the resultant functional loss, the disfigurement, the impact on sense of body integrity and 

the psychological resilience of the individual. 

WRAMC PCLS Approach to the Amputee Patient 

Members of the WRAMC PCLS team developed a plan of action prior to the arrival of battle 

casualties. As a well-known and well-integrated clinical service among medical and surgical teams 

in the hospital, WRAMC PCLS was well situated to play a major role in the medical response to all 

battle casualties. The plan was informed by a review of the literature and by prior team member 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 52 Traumatized Amputee 

experiences in treating injured patients in previous wars (Wain & Jacaard, 1996), as well as the 

recent attack on the Pentagon (Wain et al., 2002). 

Preventive Medical Psychiatry (PMP). The PCLS team members came to appreciate their need to 

be immediately and universally available to returning injured patients while team members 

minimized perceived stigma related to psychiatric consultation. This understanding significantly 

shaped the response plan. The team determined that these requirements would be best 

accomplished by redefining WRAMC PCLS as an intrinsic part of the trauma team. All injured 

service members, including amputees, were always seen. There was no requirement for traditional 

consultation from the primary treatment team. The medical and surgical teams valued the regular 

and intensive involvement of WRAMC PCLS. Because patients were told that members of the PCLS 

service routinely saw all those who were injured, little resistance developed. 

In an additional effort to decrease patient stigma PCLS renamed itself (for the purposes of trauma 

consultation) as the Preventive Medical Psychiatry Service. All chart notes were written under the 

title of PMP and professional cards were distributed to the patients with the same name. The 

purpose of this renaming was to communicate to patients that mental health clinicians were 

available to help them with what were explained as normal, expected responses to the trauma, 

rather than pathological states. The use of the name PMP appeared to debunk myths among 

patients about psychiatry as an intrusive and “labeling” specialty, facilitating the mental health 

clinician being seen more as an ally and an advocate. 

Therapeutic Intervention for the Prevention of Psychiatric Stress Disorders (TIPPS). Wain, 

Grammer, and DeBoer (2004) described their program Therapeutic Intervention for the Prevention 

of Psychiatric Stress Disorders. The fundamental tenet of TIPPS is its emphasis on normalizing 

psychological experiences, supporting healthy defenses, and monitoring for the development of 

psychiatric disorders both while in the hospital as well as upon discharge. While primary 

prevention was a goal of implementation, TIPPS also focuses on secondary and tertiary prevention 

models through post-hospitalization identification of at-risk or symptomatic service members and 

their referral for intervention. 

Upon initial introduction to the patient, the clinician psychiatrically screens all patients in a safe 

and private environment. The interview is conducted in a noninvasive and nonconfrontational 

manner. The patient verbally recounts the trauma experiences with the ultimate goal of 

consciously weaving and integrating the experience into a cohesive narrative. The patient is 

allowed to relate memories, thoughts and feelings about the trauma, at his/her own pace. Early on, 

the clinician supports the patient's defensive style and normalizes these responses and cognitions. 

An example of a comment supporting the patient’s defensive style might be: “It is amazing that 

despite how hurt you were and how much pain you were in you still were able to climb out from 

under the rubble to get help.” An example of a normalizing comment is: “It is hard to imagine that 

anyone could not feel scared given what you went through.” This process is regularly repeated in 

individual and group sessions. The patient’s effective use of defenses and healthy behavioral 

reactions are underlined and reinforced as appropriate. 

Applying TIPPS principles, the mental health clinician must allow patients to maintain appropriate 

defenses while offering them sufficient hope if their treatment is to be effective. Attacking defenses, 

as in breaking through normal denial, will likely cause the patient to view the clinician as caustic 

and intrusive rather than as helpful. During the initial stages of treatment it is vital to avoid 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 53 Traumatized Amputee 

confrontation and irrelevant insights. Focusing initially on concrete discussions related to the 

physical injuries, treatments and the healing process appears to be beneficial. 

The Therapeutic Alliance and Therapeutic Interactions 

The therapeutic alliance with the patient is key to successful treatment response. Anecdotally, 

clinicians observe that the better the relationship between the PMP clinician and the patient, the 

more helpful the intervention seems to be. The importance of developing a positive therapeutic 

relationship may be even greater in medical-surgical patients given their natural tendency to be 

skeptical of psychiatric involvement. As a good relationship develops, the patient begins to see the 

clinician more as an advocate who can be helpful. PMP team members have suggested that 

patients who develop good therapeutic relationships with providers are more likely to seek 

assistance both during hospitalization and after discharge when problems arise. This undoubtedly 

would contribute to the success of any secondary or tertiary illness prevention plan. 

Following the development of good therapeutic relationships with their assigned clinicians, 

patients are then asked to recount their trauma in greater detail. They continue to be positively 

reinforced for their participation, their ability to describe their experiences and for the healthy 

behavioral choices that were made both during and after the trauma. As the patient is able to 

tolerate greater interest in and discussion of the traumatic events, he/she is helped to cognitively 

reframe distortions. Emotional conflicts are acknowledged in a supportive and compassionate 

manner; with the particular goal of helping build a more reality based appreciation of the 

traumatic events. All therapeutic involvement encourages the patient's positive acceptance of 

rehabilitation as well as an appreciation of his/her clinical progress. 

As the treatment continues, therapeutic issues may arise in a number of areas. Amputees often 

have questions about whether and how relationships with friends and family members will 

change. Anger resulting from a variety of sources is not uncommon and will be expressed in many 

different forms. Clinicians must be able to tolerate and accept patient anger, recognizing it as a 

normal expression. Patients must be allowed to find effective and healthy ways of communicating 

their own frustrations so as to have their needs met, not letting these frustrations interfere with the 

treatment process. 

Later in treatment amputees may become more comfortable in addressing fears about the impact 

of the amputation on sexual functioning. Such worries are particularly understandable given that 

most of these amputees are young and many have yet to establish long-term intimate relationships. 

Of course every amputee faces the task of integrating a new sense of his or her body and its 

wholeness. The lack of confidence in body image, either due to amputation or disfigurement, is 

likely to have an impact on the amputee's sense of attractiveness and possibly his/her sense of 

sexual competence. The ability to address these issues openly and honestly reassures these 

patients that such concerns can be discussed and that valuable information is available. 

Mental health liaison with orthopedics, physical medicine, and occupational therapy becomes 

increasingly crucial as amputees work through rehabilitation, regain strength, and are fitted for 

prostheses. Liaison work with prosthetists focuses on helping amputees effectively accept and 

integrate the prosthesis into their new body image. For those who harbor resentment and anger 

about amputations, the transition to effective prosthetic use may be more difficult. Members of the 

PMP team have been impressed with the emotional resilience of many amputees who actively 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 54 Traumatized Amputee 

incorporate prosthetic use. This is a healthy response in which patients put themselves back 

together, both physically and psychologically. Many such motivated service members have 

demonstrated incredible physical feats using their prostheses in large part due to their 

psychological striving for health. Nevertheless, the therapeutic road may not always be smooth. 

Having regular contact with amputees allows them to share their concerns, both individually and 

in groups. Patients develop strong attachments to and reliances on their new artificial limbs, 

sometimes worrying about breaking them. Practically speaking, just having the contact numbers of 

the prosthetists, should any problems arise, generally decreases their apprehension and separation 

anxiety when they leave the hospital. 

Working with Families 

No amputee patient can be effectively treated without understanding and addressing the needs of 

the patient’s family. Loved ones understandably want to spend time with their injured family 

member and some families remain in hospital rooms throughout the day, evenings, and even 

nights. WRAMC nurses have recognized the importance of family member involvement and work 

to incorporate families into the overall treatment plan. Family members who have feelings of anger 

or frustration related to the injury may direct those emotions toward the treatment team. Under 

such circumstances its important to recognize and address such emotions in ways that the feelings 

do not become destructive to the effective treatment of the patient. WRAMC PCLS team members 

become actively involved to assist family members and health care providers in addressing any 

conflicts and finding effective resolutions. All families have a PCLS team member assigned to 

provide support and address any concerns that might arise during the hospitalization or after 

discharge. 

As the amputee program has evolved it has become clearer that families are not always prepared 

to meet their loved ones and face the injuries of the amputee when he or she returns stateside. This 

is particularly true of the children of the injured. In the flurry of activity involved in treating 

amputee patients, the vulnerability of these smaller and more psychologically fragile family 

members can be missed. Just as in other upsetting or frightening circumstances, adults should 

prepare children for what they will witness and observe. Oftentimes, children’s fantasies about 

injuries may be worse than reality. Discussing the nature of the injury, what the hospital room will 

look like, what medical equipment is present, what bandages, tubes and other paraphernalia will 

be attached to the patient can all help children understand and integrate the experience in a less 

traumatic fashion. Many amputee or otherwise disfigured patients recognize their potential impact 

on their own children and are interested in discussing the best ways to interact with these younger 

family members, particularly at the first meeting. Mental health clinicians, in conjunction with 

nurses and other health care providers, should discuss these concerns openly and build practical 

plans with the amputees to avoid discomfort on the part of either the patient or the small child. 

Other Modalities of Treatment 

Other clinical treatments are integrated into the therapeutic plan, as appropriate. PCLS team 

members have found the use of hypnosis to be extremely effective. Clinicians teach patients to use 

hypnotic-relaxation techniques so that they might be able to control their emotional responses and 

recede into quiet contemplative states when desired. Patients are taught that such approaches can 

be used to modulate their emotional reactions to the trauma, moving closer at times and more 

distant at other times. Such control facilitates eventual integration of the experience and promotes 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 55 Traumatized Amputee 

the overall rehabilitation process. Teaching self hypnotic-relaxation techniques may also help the 

patient sleep, decrease phantom limb sensations and reframe concerns while they are “working 

through” the trauma. Amputees can also use imagery as a way of visualizing success in their 

rehabilitation. Wain (1979) described a formal procedure for helping patients learn to use their 

individual self-hypnotic capability. 

Psychoeducational approaches are extremely valuable in helping patients identify the emotional 

responses that they are experiencing and to recognize warning signs that indicate the need for 

more rapid or intensive treatment. While TIPPS works to normalize rather than pathologize 

emotional responses and symptoms, certain symptoms must be watched for. Patients are instructed 

to identify and report problems with sleep, to include difficulties with sleep onset, nighttime 

awakenings and nightmares. Similarly, while initial anxiety and depressive symptoms are common 

and expected after a traumatic amputation, patients are instructed to watch out for continued or 

worsening symptoms. They should seek out additional help if these occur. 

Pharmacotherapy is a major modality of care in treating trauma patients. WRAMC PCLS clinicians 

have identified the benefit of low dose quetiapine (25-50 mg) as an excellent sedative hypnotic 

that both reduces sleep latency and drastically diminished nightmares. When used, no morning 

sedation was noted. As mentioned previously, standard psychopharmacotherapy is indicated when 

treating diagnosed illnesses. (Please see Chapter IV.) 

Although uncommon, amputees can express suicidal ideation as a result of adjustment problems 

related to the amputation or actual depressive disorders. Of course, when identified, such 

symptoms need to be carefully evaluated. Risk of self-injury must be determined and appropriate 

treatments implemented, when necessary. 

Follow up After Hospitalization 

Amputees receiving these services largely describe satisfaction with the care they receive. They 

value and appreciate the interest of their care providers and they develop healthy and lasting 

therapeutic relationships with WRAMC PCLS team members. While TIPPS was initially designed 

as a primary prevention endeavor, no data have been collected to date that firmly support the 

conclusion that these interventions prevent the future development of psychiatric illness. TIPPS 

impact on secondary and tertiary prevention appears more certain. As part of the TIPPS program 

follow-up telephonic contact is made at three and six months after the initial assessment. Because 

therapeutic relationships were solidified during the hospitalization, service members are generally 

comfortable with post-hospitalization contact and are often grateful for the continued interest on 

the part of the clinical staff. Injured service members suffering from continued medical or 

psychiatric problems are identified. They are encouraged to obtain appropriate resources and 

follow up treatment. Assistance is provided as necessary. The importance of tracking these injured 

who are at-risk and case managing their care cannot be overemphasized. 

Medical Discharge From Military Service 

A discussion regarding therapeutic approaches to amputee patients is not complete without some 

attention given to medical discharge proceedings. While some amputees successfully remain on 

active duty after rehabilitation, many more undergo medical discharge through the Medical 

Evaluation Board process. Medically discharged service members obtain medical retirement pay 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 56 Traumatized Amputee 

and receive disability allowances through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system. 

Questions related to military retirement, monetary compensation and future military benefits are 

understandably concerning to many of these military patients. Different rules apply depending 

upon time in grade and upon the component to which the service member is assigned (e.g., active 

duty, reserve, or National Guard). 

Some service members appeal medical board recommendations for military discharge and they 

request to stay on active duty. For some, patriotism and their military identities drive their 

motivation to remain in service. They don’t want to give up their uniform, positions or benefits for 

their family. Improvements in prosthetic devices have facilitated this process by allowing many 

more amputees to continue to function effectively in the military service, albeit not in a combat 

role. WRAMC PCLS clinicians help amputees develop realistic goals for their futures that may or 

may not include continuation on active duty status. Those military patients who have questions 

related to the medical board process, disability or other retirement benefits are referred to other 

appropriate resources. 

Conclusions 

Taking care of the amputee patient is a challenging, but rewarding process. The WRAMC PCLS 

service has effectively incorporated the principles of PMP and TIPPS in successfully supporting and 

treating service members who have been medically returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Amputee patients, similar to other trauma patients, benefit from active engagement by mental 

health clinicians who assist them in integrating their traumatic experiences and who monitor the 

development of psychiatric symptoms or disorders. Although the primary preventive effect of these 

approaches remains unclear the process of post-discharge tracking of patients seems to be an 

effective secondary and tertiary preventive approach. Such post-discharge follow up identifies 

those patients who develop more serious symptoms or disorders. They then can be referred for 

more intensive treatments. Therapeutic considerations unique to the amputee patient include the 

psychological impact of the trauma on body integrity, apprehension about the impact of the 

amputation on future functioning and the development of intimate relationships, the effective 

incorporation and use of the prosthetic device, and concerns about medical discharge, disability 

and future benefits. The mental health team has a responsibility to support amputees and their 

families as they address all these issues, as well as any others that might develop. 

References 

Brown, L.K. (1990). Traumatic amputation: Mechanisms of injury, treatment, and rehabilitation. AAOHN 

Journal, 38, 483-486. 

Caine, D. (1973). Psychological considerations affecting rehabilitation after amputation. Medical Journal of 

Australia, 2, 818-821. 

Fisher, W.G., & Samelson C.F. (1971). Group psychotherapy for selected patients with lower extremity 

amputations. Archives of Physical Medicine, 52, 79. 

Gerhards, F., Florin, I., & Knapp, T. (1984). The impact of medical, reeducational, and psychological 

variables on rehabilitation outcome in amputees. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 7, 

379-388. 

Hanna, B. (1996). Sexuality, body image, and self-esteem: The future after trauma. Journal of Trauma 

Nursing, 3, 13-17. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 57 Traumatized Amputee 

Haslam, E.T., Risinger, D., Metcalfe, R., & Oswald, R.J. (1960). Rehabilitation of lower extremity amputees. 

The Bulletin of the Tulane University Medical Facility. 20, 23-28 

Mendelson, R.L., Burech, J.G., Polack, E.P., & Kappel, D.A. (1986). The psychological impact of traumatic 

amputations: A team approach: Physician, therapist, and psychologist. Occupational Injuries, 2, 577­

583. 

Murray, C.D., & Fox, J. (2002). Body image and prosthesis satisfaction in the lower limb amputee. Disability 

and Rehabilitation, 24, 925-931. 

Olson, J.K. (2002). Let the healing begin. Contemporary Long Term Care, 25, 23-24. 

Ronaldson, A. (1999). Coping with body image changes after limb loss. Nursing New Zealand, 5(11), 14-16. 

Wain, H.J. (1979). Hypnosis on a consultation-liaison psychiatry service. Psychosomatics, 20, 678-689. 

Wain, H.J., & Jacaard, J.T. (1996). Psychiatric intervention with medical and surgical patients of war. In R.J. 

Ursano & A.R. Norwood, Emotional aftermath of the Persian Gulf War (pp. 415-442). Washington, DC: 

American Psychiatric Press. 

Wain, H.J., Grammer, G., Stasinos, J., & Miller, C.M. (2002) Meeting the patients where they are: 

Consultation-liaison response to trauma victims of the Pentagon attack. Military Medicine, 167, 19-21. 

Wain, H.J., Grammer, G., Stasinos, J., & DeBoer, C. (2004). Psychiatric intervention for medical surgical 

patients following traumatic injuries. Manuscript submitted for publication. 

Wain, H.J., Grammer, G., & DeBoer, C. (2004). Therapeutic intervention and prevention of psychiatric stress 

disorders with medical surgical patients following traumatic injuries. Manuscript submitted for 

publication. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide	 58 Implications for Primary Care 

VII. PTSD in Iraq War Veterans: Implications for Primary Care 

Annabel Prins, Ph.D., Rachel Kimerling, Ph.D., and Gregory Leskin, Ph.D. 

During and after the Iraq War, primary care providers may notice changes in their patient 

population. There may be an increased number of veterans or active duty military personnel 

returning from the war. There also may be increased contact with family members of active duty 

personnel, including family members who have lost a loved one in the war or family members of 

individuals missing in action or taken prisoner of war. In addition, there may be increased distress 

in veterans of other wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions 

All of these patients may be experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): 

•	 Veterans and active duty military personnel may have witnessed or participated in frightening 

and upsetting aspects of combat. 

•	 Veterans and active duty military personnel may have experienced military-related sexual 

trauma during their service. 

•	 Family members may suffer traumatic stress by hearing about frightening or upsetting events 

that happened to loved-ones, or from the loss or fears of loss related to family members 

missing or deceased. 

•	 Other veterans may be reminded of frightening and upsetting experiences from past wars, 

which can exacerbate traumatic stress responses. 

These types of stress reactions often lead people to increase their medical utilization. Because far 

fewer people experiencing traumatic stress reactions seek mental health services, primary care 

providers are the health professionals with whom individuals with PTSD are most likely to come 

into contact. 

What Do Primary Care Practitioners Need To Know About PTSD? 

Patients want primary care providers to acknowledge their traumatic experiences and responses 

•	 Over 90% of patients indicate that traumatic experiences and responses are important and 

relevant to their primary care. 

•	 Over 90% of patients in VA primary care settings will have experienced at least one traumatic 

event in their life. Most will have experienced 4 or more. 

•	 The relationship between trauma exposure and increased health care utilization appears to be 

mediated by the diagnosis of PTSD. 

•	 Thus, primary care practitioners should be aware of the essential features of PTSD: reexperiencing symptoms (e.g., nightmares, intrusive thoughts), avoidance of trauma cues, 

numbing/ detachment from others, and hyperarousal (e.g., increased startle, hypervigilance). 

PTSD can be detected in primary care settings 

•	 The Primary Care PTSD (PC-PTSD) screen can be used to detect PTSD in primary care. 

•	 Endorsement of any three items is associated with a diagnostic accuracy of .85 (sensitivity .78; 

specificity .87) and indicates the need for additional assessment. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide	 59 Implications for Primary Care 

PTSD can be effectively managed in primary care settings 

By recognizing patients with PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms you can: 

•	 Provide patients and their family members with educational materials that help them 

understand that their feelings are connected to the Iraq War and its consequences. 

•	 Validate patients’ distress, and help them know that their feelings are not unusual in these 

circumstances. 

•	 When appropriate, initiate treatment for PTSD or mental health consultation. 

PC-PTSD 

In your life, have you had any experiences that were so frightening, horrible, or upsetting that, in the 

past month, you..... 

1. Have had nightmares about it or thought about it when you did not want to? 

2. Tried hard not to think about it or went out of your way to avoid situations that reminded you of it? 

3. Were constantly on guard, watchful, or easily startled? 

4. Felt numb or detached from others, activities, or your surroundings? 

What Can Primary Care Providers Do For Their Patients?
 

Determine the patient’s status in relationship to the war
 

By assessing the patient’s status in relation to the war, primary care providers acknowledge the 

relevance and importance of this event. Example questions include: 

•	 “Have you recently returned from the Persian Gulf? How has your adjustment been?” 

•	 “Do you have family members or friends who are currently in the Persian Gulf? How are you 

dealing with their absence?” 

•	 “How has the war in Iraq affected your functioning?” 

Acknowledge the patient’s struggles 

Regardless of their specific relationship to the war, primary care providers should recognize and 

normalize distress associated with war. Example statements include: 

•	 “I am so sorry that you are struggling with this.” 

•	 “I can appreciate how difficult this is for you.” 

•	 “You are not the only patient I have who is struggling with this.” 

•	 “It’s not easy, is it?” 

Assess for PTSD symptoms 

The PC-PTSD can be used either as a self-report measure or through interview. It can be a standard 

part of a patient information form or introduced as follows: 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide	 60 Implications for Primary Care 

•	 “I would like to know if you are experiencing any specific symptoms.” 

•	 “It is not uncommon for people to have certain types of reactions. I would like to know if...” 

Be aware of how trauma may impact on medical care 

The specific health problems associated with PTSD are varied and suggest multiple etiologies; 

neurobiological, psychological, and behavioral factors are likely explanations. Research has 

increasingly demonstrated that PTSD can lead to neurobiological dysregulation, altering the 

functioning of catecholamine, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocorticoid, endogenous opioid, 

thyroid, immune, and neurotransmitter systems. 

•	 Exposure to traumatic stress is associated with increased health complaints, health service 

utilization, morbidity, and mortality. 

•	 PTSD appears to be a key mechanism that accounts for the association between trauma and 

poor health. 

•	 PTSD and exposure to traumatic experiences are associated with a variety of healththreatening behaviors, such as alcohol and drug use, risky sexual practices, and suicidal 

ideation and gestures. 

•	 PTSD is associated with an increased number of both lifetime and current physical symptoms, 

and PTSD severity is positively related to self-reports of physical conditions. 

Determine if and how trauma responses can be managed in PC 

The delivery of mental health care is possible in the general or primary care setting. According to 

this approach, brief psychotherapeutic, psychoeducational, and pharmacological services are 

delivered as a “first line” intervention to primary care patients. If a patient fails to respond to this 

level of intervention, or obviously needs specialized treatment (e.g., presence of psychotic 

symptoms or severe dissociative symptoms), the patient is referred to mental health emergency, 

outpatient mental health intake coordinator, or PTSD program. 

Procedures to follow if patient demonstrates PTSD symptoms during medical examination 

Medical examinations or procedures may cause the patient to feel anxious or panicky. The 

following techniques may help in addressing trauma-related symptoms that arise in the medical 

setting: 

•	 Speak in a calm, matter of fact voice. 

•	 Reassure the patient that everything is okay. 

•	 Remind the patient that they are in a safe place and their care and well being are a top priority. 

•	 Explain medical procedures and check with the patient (e.g., “Are you ok?”). 

•	 Ask (or remind) the patient where he or she is right now. 

•	 If the patient is experiencing flashbacks, remind him or her that they are in a doctor’s office at 

a specific time in a specific place (grounding). 

•	 Offer the patient a drink of water, an extra gown, or a warm or cold wash cloth for the face, 

anything that will make the patient feel more like his or her usual self. 

Any assistance and sensitivity on the part of the primary care provider can help reinforce an 

effective and positive alliance with the patient. 

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Additional Resources
 

To learn more about screening and treatment for PTSD in primary care settings, additional
 

educational materials are available at the following websites:
 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Implications for Primary Care Independent Study Course, Veterans
 

Health Initiative: http://vaww.sites.lrn.va.gov/vhi (available through VA intranet only).
 

National Center for PTSD website: http://www.ncptsd.org/topics/health.html
 

National Institute for Mental Health information on PTSD:
 

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/anxiety/ptsdmenu.cfm
 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 62 Caring for the Clinicians 

VIII. Caring for the Clinicians Who Care for Traumatically Injured Patients 

Harold J. Wain, Ph.D., MAJ Erin C. McLaughlin, Catherine M. DeBoer, MAJ Geoffrey G. Grammer, Marvin 

A. Oleshansky M.D., COL Dermot M. Cotter, MAJ Mark F. Owens, Corina M. Miller, L.C.S.W., Rosalie M. 

Kogan, L.C.S.W., and COL Stephen J. Cozza 

The experiences of physically injured patients impact their surgeons, other physicians, therapists, 

nursing staff, and administrators. The intensity of caring for these patients may contribute to the 

treatment team’s own stress and burnout. Enhancing the clinicians’ understanding of how their 

feelings and perceptions contribute to their responses to trauma patients can decrease the amount 

of stress and burnout experienced by both clinician and patients. Clinicians’ responses to their 

patients are often dependent upon the formers’ experiences and coping styles. 

Vicarious Traumatization 

McCann and Pearlman (1990) acknowledged that clinicians who work with trauma victims may 

experience vicarious traumatization. Vicarious or secondary trauma is a countertransference 

reaction experienced by the clinician as a result of the victim’s retelling of the trauma (Benedek, 

1984). Clinicians working with trauma victims often experience a myriad of countertransferential 

feelings. Clinicians’ responses to the trauma endured by their patients may affect therapeutic 

alliances and ultimately the effectiveness of the clinicians (Fischman, 1991; Lyon, 1993). 

Clinicians may be affected by painful or disruptive psychological sequelae in the months or even 

years following their work with trauma victims. The affective reactions of therapists who worked 

with Holocaust survivors and their children included bystander’s guilt, rage, grief and mourning, 

dread, horror, and inability to contain intense emotions (Danieli, 1984). Clinicians working with 

patients who have suffered the extreme trauma of torture may be more vulnerable to intense 

affective reactions themselves (Fischman, 1984; Fischman & Ross, 1990). 

Riba and Reches (2002) conducted a study to understand experiences of nurses caring for victims 

of trauma. Nurse described being anxious and afraid of what they were going to see. Fears about 

not being able to perform their job or function properly were reported more often by younger 

nurses. Nurses described feelings of frustration and guilt, especially if their patient died. Nurses 

experienced restlessness, sleeplessness, and nightmares following the care of trauma patients. 

In another study, nurses working with victims of a bombing reported sadness, grief, depression, 

anxiety, dread and horror, fear, rage, and shame (Collins, 2001). Nurses also reported difficulties 

initiating or maintaining sleep, problems with irritability/outbursts of anger, and difficulty 

concentrating. Interestingly, not only psychological symptoms evolve; nurses involved with trauma 

patients may present with somatic complaints such as persistent headaches, backache, and 

gastrointestinal distress (Collins, 2001; Lyon, 1993). In summary, trauma nurses may experience 

vicarious traumatization leading to such symptoms as depression and suicidal tendencies, panic 

attacks, and alcohol abuse. Others experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (Collins, 2001). 

Alexander (1990) similarly suggested that other hospital staff working with trauma or disaster 

victims might become hidden victims (e.g., dietary, OT, PT, etc.). All of these reports emphasize 

that hospital administration must recognize the stress placed on the hospital staff who closely work 

with these victims and must also provide needed interventions and support to them. 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 63 Caring for the Clinicians 

Burnout 

Taking care of trauma patients for long periods can take a toll on the staff, resulting in “burnout.” 

Solite and Solite (2003) define burnout as “a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion 

that results from intense involvement with people over long periods of time.” Symptoms of burnout 

include feeling strained by having to work with people, increasing difficulty sustaining 

concentration and attention levels throughout prolonged periods of work, decreasing memory for 

work-related details, and reacting to challenges with increasing cognitive rigidity rather than with 

cognitive flexibility. 

Among physicians, surgeons may be at the greatest risk of burnout. In a recent study (Michigan 

Medicine, 2002) graduates of the University of Michigan surgical residency programs were asked 

to rate their level of burnout. One third of the respondents reported “emotional exhaustion” 

indicating that they “had nothing left to give” and one sixth reported “depersonalization," meaning 

they distanced themselves from the experience of taking care of patients. Nursing staff is a group 

that interacts with trauma patients around the clock and may be more vulnerable than other 

clinician groups. 

Strategies for Addressing Vicarious Traumatization at Burnout 

The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) Psychiatry Consultation Liaison Service (PCLS) 

focuses on the following methods for preventing burnout: 

• managing relationships 

• maintaining collaboration and collegiality at work and intimate connections at home 

• making regular adjustments in one’s lifestyle 

• living in harmony with ones innermost values 

• managing one’s attitude 

• developing philosophies that foster hope and reasonable optimism about one’s future. 

A mental health consultant can facilitate the use of these methods. Tips for managing stress that 

can be shared with clinical staff include ensuring one’s own safety, accepting support when 

offered, and making phone calls to speak with helpful family members or friends. These methods 

allow clinicians to distance themselves from the day-to-day emotionally taxing tasks of caring for 

trauma patients. Clinical staff should also be instructed to take time to seek enjoyment from 

outside activities; use deep breathing techniques, muscle contraction or other effective relaxation 

techniques; make good use of humor; avoid becoming absorbed in negative news; and use 

support services as available. Clinicians may also benefit by taking the opportunity to become 

more knowledgeable about other non-trauma care-related subjects, remembering to employ other 

previously successful coping styles, watching for signs of depression or anxiety in themselves and 

co-workers, and contacting local mental health resources for additional options, when necessary. 

WRAMC PCLS has developed ongoing programs to provide support to the hospital staff. 

Attendance at nursing morning reports and shift changes has allowed PCLS staff members to 

provide encouragement and education to the nursing staff. Support groups or venting sessions 

worked initially in the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As nurses became more clinically 

proficient and gained mastery, plans and protocols to take care of injured soldiers were developed 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 64 Caring for the Clinicians 

and with that came greater mastery to meet this clinical challenge. As time passed fewer nurses 

attended these support sessions, suggesting greater self-sufficiency and confidence. 

Another perceived helpful recommendation to the nursing staff was to suggest that they leave their 

assigned clinical environments to see the progress patients were making further into recovery. 

Nurses were encouraged to visit during patient physical therapy (learning to walk with a prosthetic 

limb) or occupational therapy (shaving for the first time with a prosthetic arm) sessions. These visits 

permitted the nursing staff (especially operating room and intensive care units nurses) to see that 

patients were getting better and more capable despite the staff’s initial less hopeful perceptions. 

Other staff members would likely benefit from a similar approach. 

The recent influx of critically injured young men and women with amputations from Iraq has 

posed a new and unusual challenge to the medical treatment teams. The staff has had to rapidly 

assimilate new knowledge in providing clinical treatment to this population, as well as appreciate 

and deal with the emotional impact of the loss of a limb on a service member. The patient or 

his/her family member often go through stages of grieving that can understandably result in anger 

or resentment regarding the injury. Not infrequently, staff members bear the brunt of this ill feeling. 

Often, discussion of the dynamics of patient and family member’s responses can be extremely 

helpful to members of the treatment team in order to put unpleasant interactions into perspective 

and maintain an empathic stance toward the patient. 

Frequently, patients, family members, or staff members benefit from a discussion of their emotional 

responses to the traumatic event or the resulting treatments. This might occur in either individual 

or small group settings. As embedded members of the trauma team, PCLS clinicians facilitate 

patient and staff acceptance of interventions without the fear their responses or “symptoms” are 

going to be labeled as pathological. Offerings of support, encouragement and normalization of 

response are necessary and experienced as helpful. Encouragement of appropriate laughter, use of 

relaxation techniques for staff and patients alike, building of esprit de corps, and the opportunity to 

share food all help. Most important is communicating respect and genuine concern for each other. 

Physicians, particularly surgeons, work extended hours. Their unique burden is best exemplified in 

the words of one WRAMC physician: “How difficult it was for me when I needed to cut off the 

legs of that young boy.” Psychiatrists and other mental health clinicians work side-by-side with the 

surgeons as part of the trauma team. Similar to nursing, physician staff support groups were 

established at the onset of the Operation Iraqi Freedom. These groups were usually scheduled 

prior to their respective clinical rounds. Psychoeducational approaches have also been useful. 

PCLS members have presented at surgical department Grand Rounds or staff forums on topics 

related to stress, burnout and the management of difficult patients. By encouraging availability 

through informal curb siding, frequent phone calls and spontaneous as-needed appointments has 

improved perceived availability and interest on the part of PCLS staff members. Of course, e-mail 

similarly supports such communication and also has the benefit of making additional resources 

quickly available to hospital staff through attached document files or hyperlinks to useful websites. 

Conclusions 

Hospital clinicians treating trauma patients are at risk for emotional reactions that, if left 

unattended, can lead to psychological stress, burnout, and reduction in clinical efficiency and 

effectiveness. The Walter Reed PCLS service recommends a combination of approaches that serve 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 65 Caring for the Clinicians 

to develop and sustain liaison relationships with all members of the treatment team. Techniques 

include attending to the emotional responses of patients and staff members through attentive but 

nonjudgmental listening. This may be accomplished in an individual or group format. 

Psychoeducational approaches can provide information about self-care, stress reduction, and 

burnout recognition in oneself and others. Finally, helping staff members gain perspective 

regarding their participation in the therapeutic process can be extremely helpful. To observe a 

seriously injured patient advance to use a prosthetic device and reestablish preexisting function 

can provide a clinician with a rejuvenated sense of purpose and meaning. 

References 

Alexander, D.A. (1990). Psychological intervention for victims and helpers after disasters (review). British 

Journal of General Practice, 40, 345-348. 

Benedek, E.P. (1984). The silent scream: Countertransference reactions to victims. American Journal of Social 

Psychiatry, 4(3), 48-51. 

Collins, S. (2001). What about us? The psychological implications of dealing with trauma following the 

Omagh bombing. Emergency Nurse, 8(10), 9-13. 

Danieli, Y. (1988). Confronting the unimaginable. Psychotherapists’ reactions to victims of the Nazi 

Holocaust. In J. P. Wilson, Z. Harel, & B. Kahn (Eds.), Human adaptation to extreme stress: From the 

Holocaust to Vietnam (pp. 219-238). New York: Plenun. 

Deahl, M.P., Gillham, A.B., Thomas, J., Searle, M., & Srinivasan, M. (1994). Psychological sequaele 

following the Gulf War: factors associated with subsequent morbidity and the effectiveness of 

psychological debriefing. British Journal of Psychiatry, 265, 60-65. 

Dyergrov, A. (1989). Caring for helpers in disaster situations: psychological debriefing. Disaster 

Management, 2, 25-30. 

Fischman, Y. (1984). Psychotherapy with Latin American survivors of torture. In treating Hispanic victims of 

violent trauma. Symposium conducted at Peninsula Hospital, Burlingame, CA. 

Fischman, Y., & Ross, J. (1990). Group treatment of exiled survivors of torture. American Journal of 

Orthopsychiatry, 60, 135-142. 

Fischman, Y. (1991). Interacting with trauma: Clinicians’ responses to treating psychological after effects of 

political repression. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 61, 179-185. 

Laposa, J.M., Alden, L.E., & Fullerton, L.M. (2003). Work stress and posttraumatic stress disorder in ED 

nurses/personnel. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 29(1), 23-28. 

Lyon, E. (1993). Hospital staff reactions to accounts by survivors of childhood abuse. American Journal of 

Orthopsychiatry, 63, 410-416. 

McCann, L., & Pearlman, L.A. (1990). Vicarious traumatization: A framework for understanding the 

psychological effects of working with victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 3, 131-149. 

Raphael, B., Meldrum, L., & McFarlane, A.C. (1995). Does debriefing after psychological trauma work? 

British Medical Journal, 310, 1479-1480. 

Riba, S., & Reches, H. (2002). When terror is routine: How Israeli nurses cope with multi-casualty terror. 

Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 7, Manuscript 5. Retrieved September 5, 2003, from 

http://nursingworld.org/ojin/topic19/tpc19_5.htm 

Robinson, R., & Mitchell, J.T. (1993). Evaluation of psychological debriefings. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 6, 

367-382. 

Robbins, I. (1995). Treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 8, 172-175. 

Solite, W.M., & Solite, M.O. (2003). Beyond physician burnout: Keys to effective emotional management. 

Journal of Medical Practice Management, 18, 314-318. 

Study reveals levels of burnout among surgeons. (2002). Michigan Medicine, 101, 42-43. 

Wain, H.J., Grammer, G., Stasinos, J., Cozza, S., & DeBoer, C. (2004). From consultation liaison to 

preventive medical psychiatry. Manuscript submitted for publication. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 66 Military Sexual Trauma 

IX. Military Sexual Trauma: Issues in Caring for Veterans 

Amy Street, Ph.D. and Jane Stafford, Ph.D. 

What is Military Sexual Trauma?
 

Military sexual trauma refers to both sexual harassment and sexual assault that occurs in military 

settings. Both men and women can experience military sexual trauma and the perpetrator can be 

of the same or of the opposite gender. A general definition of sexual harassment is unwelcome 

verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that occurs in the workplace or an academic or 

training setting. Sexual harassment includes gender harassment (e.g., put you down because of 

your gender), unwanted sexual attention (e.g., made offensive remarks about your sexual activities 

or your body) and sexual coercion (e.g., implied special treatment if you were sexually 

cooperative). Sexual assault is any sort of sexual activity between at least two people in which one 

of the people is involved against his or her will. Physical force may or may not be used. The sexual 

activity involved can include many different experiences including unwanted touching, grabbing, 

oral sex, anal sex, sexual penetration with an object, and/or sexual intercourse. 

People tend to think that only women experience sexual trauma, however, this is not the case. In 

1995 the Department of Defense conducted a large study of sexual victimization among active 

duty populations and found rates of sexual harassment to be 78% among women and 38% among 

men over a one-year period. Rates of attempted or completed sexual assault were 6% for women 

and 1% for men. Rates of military sexual trauma among veteran users of VA healthcare appear to 

be even higher than in general military populations. In one study, 23% of female users of VA 

healthcare reported experiencing at least one sexual assault while in the military. 

Does Military Sexual Trauma Occur During Wartime? 

Sexual trauma in the military does not occur only during training or peacetime and in fact, the 

stress of war may be associated with increases in rates of sexual harassment and assault. Research 

with Persian Gulf War military personnel conducted by Jessica Wolfe and her colleagues found 

that rates of sexual assault (7%), physical sexual harassment (33%) and verbal sexual harassment 

(66%) were higher than those typically found in peacetime military samples. 

Are There Unique Aspects of Sexual Trauma Associated with Military Service? 

While there is almost no empirical data comparing experiences of military sexual trauma with 

experiences of sexual harassment and assault that occur outside of military service, there is some 

anecdotal evidence that these experiences are unique and may be associated with qualitatively or 

quantitatively different psychological outcomes. 

Sexual trauma that is associated with military service most often occurs in a setting where the 

victim lives and works. In most cases, this means that victims must continue to live and work 

closely with their perpetrators, often leading to an increased sense of feeling helpless, powerless, 

and at risk for additional victimization. In addition, sexual victimization that occurs in this setting 

often means that victims are relying on their perpetrators (or associates of the perpetrator) to 

provide for basic needs including medical and psychological care. Similarly, because military 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 67 Military Sexual Trauma 

sexual trauma occurs within the workplace, this form of victimization disrupts the career goals of 

many of its victims. Perpetrators are frequently peers or supervisors responsible for making 

decisions about work-related evaluations and promotions. In addition, victims are often forced to 

choose between continuing military careers during which they are forced to have frequent contact 

with their perpetrators or sacrificing their career goals in order to protect themselves from future 

victimization. 

Most military groups are characterized by high unit cohesion, particularly during combat. While 

this level of solidarity typically reflects a positive aspect of military service, the dynamics of 

cohesion may play a role in the negative psychological effects associated with sexual harassment 

and assault that occurs. Because organizational cohesion is so highly valued within the military 

environment, divulging any negative information about a fellow soldier is considered taboo. 

Accordingly, many victims are reluctant to report sexual trauma and many victims say that there 

were no available methods for reporting their experiences to those in authority. Many indicate that 

if they did report the harassment they were not believed or encouraged to keep silent about the 

experience. They may have had their reports ignored, or even worse, have been themselves 

blamed for the experience. Having this type of invalidating experience following a sexual trauma 

is likely to have a significant negative impact on the victim’s post-trauma adjustment. 

What Type of Psychological Responses are Associated with Military Sexual Victimization? 

Given the range of sexual victimization experiences that veterans report (ranging from 

inappropriate sexual jokes or flirtation, to pressure for sexual favors, to completed forcible rape) 

there are a wide range of emotional reactions reported by veterans in response to these events. 

Even in the aftermath of severe forms of victimization, there is no one way that victims will 

respond. Instead, the intensity, duration, and trajectory of psychological responses will all vary 

based on factors like the veterans’ previous trauma history, their appraisal of the traumatic event, 

and the quality of their support systems following the trauma. In addition, the victim’s gender may 

play a role in the intensity of the post-trauma reactions. While the types of psychological reactions 

experienced by men and women are often similar, the experience of sexual victimization may be 

even more stigmatizing for men than it is for women because these victimization experiences fall 

so far outside of the proscribed male gender role. Accordingly, men may experience more severe 

symptomatology than women, may be more likely to feel shame about their victimization, and 

may be less likely to seek professional help. 

Among both men and women in the active duty military, sexual harassment is associated with 

poorer psychological well-being, more physical problems and lower satisfaction with health and 

work. Female veterans who use VA healthcare and report a history of sexual trauma while in the 

military also report a range of negative outcomes, including poorer psychological and physical 

health, more readjustment problems following discharge (i.e., difficulties finding work, alcohol 

and drug problems), and a greater incidence of not working due to mental health problems. 

Studies of sexual assault among civilian populations identify posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 

as a frequent outcome. Sexual assault victimization is associated with high lifetime rates of PTSD 

in both men (65%) and women (45.9%). Interestingly, these rates are higher than the rate reported 

by men following combat exposure (38.8%). Major depressive disorder (MDD) is another common 

reaction following sexual assault, with research suggesting that almost a third of sexual assault 

victims have at least one period of MDD during their lives. Victims of sexual assault may also 

report increased substance use, perhaps as a means of managing other psychological symptoms. 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 68 Military Sexual Trauma 

One large-scale study found that compared to non-victims, rape survivors were 3.4 times more 

likely to use marijuana, 6 times more likely to use cocaine, and 10 times more likely to use other 

major drugs. In addition to these psychological conditions, victims of sexual trauma may continue 

to struggle with a range of other symptoms that interfere with their quality of life. Common 

emotional reactions include anger and shame, guilt or self-blame. Victims of sexual trauma may 

report problems in their interpersonal relationships, including difficulties with trust, difficulties 

engaging in social activities or sexual dysfunction. Male victims of sexual trauma may also express 

concern about their sexuality or their masculinity. 

How Has the VA Responded to the Problem of Military Sexual Trauma? 

Given the alarming prevalence rates of sexual harassment and sexual assault among military 

veterans, it has been necessary for the VA to respond actively to the healthcare needs of veterans 

impacted by these experiences. In July 1992, a series of hearings on women veterans’ issues by the 

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee first brought the problem of military sexual trauma to policy 

makers’ attention. Congress responded to these hearings by passing Public Law 102-585, which 

was signed into law in November of 1992. Among other things, Public Law 102-805 authorized 

health care and counseling to women veterans to overcome psychological trauma resulting from 

experiences of sexual assault or sexual harassment during their military service. Later laws 

expanded this benefit to male veterans as well as female veterans, repealed limitations on the 

required duration of service, and extended the provision of these benefits until the year 2005. 

Following the passage of these public laws, a series of VA directives mandated universal screening 

of all veterans for a history of military sexual trauma and mandated that each facility identify a 

Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator to oversee the screening and treatment referral process. 

Are There Screening, Assessment or Treatment Issues That Are Unique to Sexual Assault and 

Harassment? 

Screening. It is important to screen all veterans for a history of sexual harassment and assault. Not 

only is universal screening mandated by VA, it also represents good clinical practice given the 

high prevalence rates of military sexual trauma among male and female veterans and the 

reluctance of many sexual trauma survivors to volunteer information about their trauma histories. 

Screening for all forms of trauma exposure should be approached with compassion and sensitivity, 

but screening for a history of sexual trauma requires particular care because of the stigma 

associated with this type of victimization. For accurate screening, good rapport with the veteran is 

essential, as is close attention to issues of confidentiality (e.g., not screening in the presence of 

other providers or family members). Regardless of the care taken by the interviewer, the victims’ 

shame and self-blame may prevent or delay disclosure, particularly for male victims or for victims 

who have experienced punishment or disbelief following previous disclosures. 

When screening for a history of sexual trauma it is important to avoid words like “rape” and 

“sexual harassment.” Asking the question, “While you were in the military, were you ever raped?” 

assumes that the victimized person knows how rape is defined and perceives what happened to 

them as a rape. Additionally, these words are “loaded terms” for many people and a victim may 

respond negatively in order to avoid the social stigma that goes along with being a rape victim. A 

method of screening that is likely to yield fairly accurate results without being perceived by the 

veteran as too intrusive involves two general questions that use descriptive, non-judgmental 

wording (i.e., While you were in the military did you ever experience any unwanted sexual 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 69 Military Sexual Trauma 

attention, like verbal remarks, touching, or pressure for sexual favors?; Did anyone ever use force 

or the threat of force to have sex with you against your will?). 

Assessment. At this time, there are no published measures specifically designed to assess sexual 

trauma that occurs as part of military service. While most checklist measures that assess for trauma 

exposure include at least one question about sexual assault, generally these measures do not 

assess sexual harassment. However, there are a number of existing self-report measures and 

structured interviews specifically designed to assess sexual harassment and/or sexual assault. The 

Sexual Experience Questionnaire by Louise Fitzgerald is the most widely used measure of sexual 

harassment. One of the most widely used measures of sexual assault, the Sexual Experiences 

Survey by Mary Koss and her colleagues, is a self-report measure that assesses a variety of 

unwanted sexual experiences including those associated with substance use. An example of an 

interview developed for the purpose of assessing sexual assault is The National Women’s Study 

interview developed by Heidi Resnick and her colleagues. It includes a series of behaviorally 

specific questions that ask about a variety of unwanted sexual experiences. 

Treatment. While the consequences of sexual harassment and assault can be severe and complex, 

there are treatments available that can significantly reduce psychological symptoms and improve a 

victim’s quality of life. There is very little empirically-based information on the treatment of sexual 

harassment or on the treatment of any sexual trauma associated with military service. However, 

there is a wealth of information available on the treatment of sexual assault in civilian populations 

that can be used to inform treatment of veteran populations. 

Interventions for sexual trauma often involve addressing immediate health and safety concerns 

(particularly in the case of an acute trauma), normalizing post-trauma reactions by providing 

education about trauma and psychological reactions to traumatic events, providing the victim with 

validation, supporting existing adaptive coping strategies and facilitating the development of new 

coping skills, like muscle relaxation or deep breathing. Treatment interventions may also include 

exploring affective and cognitive reactions including fear, self-blame, anger and disillusionment, 

some form of exposure therapy and/or some form of cognitive restructuring. Clinicians looking for 

more in depth information on the treatment of sexual trauma are referred to Foa and Rothbaum 

(1998) and Resick and Schnicke (2002). 

References 

Foa, E.B., & Rothbaum, B.O. (1998). Treating the trauma of rape: Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD. 

New York: Guilford. 

Resick, P.S., & Schnicke, M.K. (2002). Cognitive processing therapy for rape victims: A treatment manual. 

Newbury Park, CA: Sage. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 70 Assessment and Treatment of Anger 

X. Assessment and Treatment of Anger in Combat-Related PTSD 

Casey T. Taft, Ph.D. and Barbara L. Niles, Ph.D. 

Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom who suffer from symptoms of PTSD are likely to have 

difficulties with anger regulation given the centrality of anger in the human survival response. 

Research among military veterans has consistently shown that those with PTSD are higher in 

anger, hostility, aggression, general violence, and relationship violence and abuse than those 

without the disorder (e.g., Jordan et al., 1992). “Irritability and outbursts of anger” represent one of 

the diagnostic criteria for PTSD (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) and can have a 

debilitating impact across several domains. Anger dysregulation typically has a deleterious impact 

on the veteran’s relationships with family members and other loved ones, and may significantly 

interfere with other social and occupational functioning. These interpersonal difficulties may have 

a profound negative effect on the veteran’s social support network, which places him or her at risk 

for PTSD exacerbation, and possibly for cardiovascular disease and other health problems that 

have been associated with anger, hostility, and PTSD. Angry outbursts may also place the veteran 

at risk for legal problems and may lead to severe consequences for those who are exposed to these 

outbursts. 

Although little theory or research explicates the role of PTSD with respect to anger, one important 

theory for anger problems among veterans with PTSD emphasizes the role of context-inappropriate 

activation of cognitive processes related to a “survival mode” of functioning (Chemtob, Novaco, 

Hamada, Gross, & Smith, 1997). 

This response includes heightened arousal, a hostile appraisal of events, a loss in the ability to 

engage in self-monitoring or other inhibitory processes, and resulting behavior produced to 

respond to this perceived severe threat. These processes lead the veteran to see threats in the 

civilian environment that do not objectively pose any significant danger, and he or she may 

respond in an aggressive manner to such threats. This “survival mode,” while adaptive in combat 

situations, typically becomes maladaptive when the individual interacts with his or her 

environment in civilian life. Therefore, in therapy with this population, an important treatment 

target often involves the detection of cognitive biases with respect to environmental threats and the 

detection of disconfirming evidence. This sense of heightened threat may be particularly acute 

among individuals who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom because the enemy was not always 

clearly defined and military personnel were forced to be vigilant to attack at all times. 

Assessment of Anger and Related Constructs 

Anger, hostility, and aggression are typically assessed via self-report questionnaire measures of 

these constructs. Two of the most widely used measures are the Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory 

(BDHI; Buss & Durkee, 1957) and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI; Spielberger, 

1988). 

The BDHI (Buss & Durkee, 1957) is the most widely used measure of hostility. The measure 

consists of 75 true-false items, and 8 subscales: Assault, Indirect Hostility, Verbal Hostility, 

Irritability, Negativism, Resentment, Suspicion, and Guilt. The measure has received criticism 

based on methodological grounds (e.g., low predictive validity, poor reliability), and was recently 

revised by Buss and Perry (1992). The new measure, called the Aggression Questionnaire, consists 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 71 Assessment and Treatment of Anger 

of 29 items that are rated on a 5-point Likert scales. An advantage of this measure is that it taps not 

only anger, but also the related constructs of hostility and aggression. Specifically, subscales 

include Anger, Hostility, Verbal Aggression, and Physical Aggression. This new measure and its 

subscales have been found to exhibit good psychometric properties. 

The STAXI (Spielberger, 1988) is a 44-item measure that consists of subscales tapping State Anger, 

Trait Anger, and Anger Expression. This measure has some benefits over other existing anger 

measures. First, it distinguishes state anger and trait anger, and further distinguishes between the 

experience of anger and the expression of anger. Subscales can also be derived to assess whether 

individuals tend to keep in their anger (Anger-In), or express their anger openly (Anger-Out), or 

whether individuals effectively control and reduce their feelings of anger (Anger Control). These 

distinctions may be particularly important with veterans returning from Iraq. As described in the 

sections that follow, these men and women are likely to have problems with holding anger in 

and/or acting outwardly aggressive, and may vacillate between these two extremes. Therefore, this 

fine-grained assessment of the individual’s anger expression style may assist in treatment planning. 

Challenges for Anger Interventions 

Veterans with PTSD frequently report that anger is one of their most troublesome problems, and 

anger often prompts their treatment entry. However, evidence suggests that anger and violence are 

often the precipitants for early termination from treatment, and higher anger levels are associated 

with poorer outcomes in treatment for PTSD more generally. This section highlights a number of 

important challenges for intervention with PTSD-positive veterans who have anger regulation 

problems. 

For many who have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the thought of openly discussing their 

difficulties with anger and finding alternatives to threatening or intimidating responses to everyday 

frustrations may seem to have life-threatening implications. The individual’s anger and aggressive 

behavior may have been very functional in the military and in combat situations and may serve as 

a valuable source of self-esteem. Therefore, attempts to change an anger response may be met 

with considerable resistance. The advantages of disadvantages of the individual’s anger expression 

style should be discussed in order to move him or her in the direction of behavior change. 

Generally, veterans will list several serious negative consequences of their anger regulation 

problems and few benefits that cannot be achieved by other, more appropriate means. Therefore, 

discussion of the “pros” and “cons” of their anger style often serves as a powerful technique for 

enhancing motivation. 

Veterans may resist attempts to participate in treatment for anger problems because they may 

associate authority figures with distrust. Angry veterans may also become impatient during the 

treatment process due to their desire to gain relief from their anger problems and their general 

heightened level of hostility and frustration. They may become easily frustrated when changes do 

not immediately occur as a result of therapy, and may become hostile or otherwise resistant to 

therapy. It is important that the treatment provider fully discusses each of these concerns with the 

veteran, who should be encouraged to appropriately communicate his or her concerns during the 

course of treatment. Given the difficulty of the therapeutic endeavor, it is critical that the provider 

and veteran establish and maintain a positive therapeutic relationship. The provider should also be 

very clear in his or her expectations for treatment. He or she should stress to the veteran that one’s 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 72 Assessment and Treatment of Anger 

anger expression style is learned, and the skills required to alter anger patterns will take time to 

master. 

Several psychiatric problems tend to be highly comorbid with PTSD, such as depression and 

substance abuse. These problems also pose potential barriers for effective treatment of anger 

problems among those with PTSD. In addition, veterans with PTSD are more likely to suffer from 

physical health problems, and often suffer from severe social and occupational impairments. These 

factors serve to increase stress and ameliorate emotional and tangible resources for the veteran, 

placing him or her at additional risk for anger dysregulation and violence perpetration. Further, 

these factors may lead to a reduced ability to make use of treatment for anger problems. The 

veteran’s capacity to marshal the cognitive resources to do the work of therapy (e.g., participate in 

self-monitoring exercises or practice communication skills) and to comply with the demands of 

treatment may be compromised. The treatment provider, therefore, must fully assess for comorbid 

problems and their impact on both the veteran’s anger and his or her compliance with therapy, 

and should ensure that the veteran receives appropriate treatment for comorbid problems. For 

example, substance abuse must be addressed due to its disinhibiting effects with respect to anger 

and aggression. 

Anger Management Intervention 

Most PTSD treatment programs recommend and offer varied modalities and formats for the 

treatment of anger problems among veterans. Programs typically offer individual and group 

therapies, and cognitive-behavioral treatments for anger appear to be the most common. 

Increasingly, PTSD programs are utilizing manualized or standardized group treatments for anger 

treatment, and there is some research evidence for the effectiveness of such treatments (Chemtob, 

Novaco, Hamada, & Gross, 1997). Below, we briefly outline session content derived from a 12­

week standardized cognitive behavioral group treatment for anger among veterans with PTSD. 

Although this material derives from a group treatment approach, the issues raised are relevant for 

other therapy formats and modalities. 

Overview of the treatment. The goal of our anger management group is for veterans to learn to 

understand and to better regulate their anger responses through greater awareness of their anger 

triggers and an application of constructive anger management strategies. Additionally, veteran’s 

appraisals of threat in their environment and daily experience of anger are targeted as they learn to 

prepare back-up responses (e.g., timeouts, relaxation, cognitive restructuring, ventilation, and 

positive distraction). Each session consists of group discussions and skills-building exercises. We 

have found that each group of veterans will present with special needs and the sessions should be 

adapted accordingly. Group leaders vary their coverage of the material to best complement the 

unique needs of their group, and make efforts to encourage group cohesion and a safe and 

supportive group atmosphere. 

The first two sessions of group are devoted to orienting the veterans to treatment, discussing 

treatment goals and expectations of therapy, enhancing motivation to work on anger management, 

and providing psychoeducation on the anger response and the impact of PTSD on anger. Sessions 

3 through 7 are devoted to self-monitoring exercises so that the veteran may better understand his 

or her anger response, developing an understanding of the distinction between different forms of 

anger expression, learning to use relaxation strategies for managing anger, and exploring 

motivational issues that may be impeding progress. The remaining sessions focus on 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 73 Assessment and Treatment of Anger 

communication skills and learning to communicate assertively, barriers to anger management 

posed by comorbid problems, and wrapping up. 

Setting treatment goals and exploring motivation. As discussed previously, it is extremely 

important that veterans with PTSD set realistic and attainable goals with respect to anger 

management, in order to prevent frustration with the therapy process and to reduce dropout. Both 

at the outset of therapy and throughout the course of treatment, motivational issues and barriers to 

successful barrier change should be explored. Also as discussed, for many veterans, anger 

dysregulation and aggressive behavior have served several adaptive functions, and anger 

expression styles may have been learned and reinforced throughout the life of the veteran. 

Therefore, discussions should center not only on the negative consequences of anger dyscontrol, 

but also on those factors that are maintaining these maladaptive behaviors, as well as more 

adaptive behaviors that may serve be substitute for identified problematic behaviors. 

Psychoeducation on anger and PTSD. In order for veterans to better understand their anger 

dysregulation and to develop skills to better manage anger, it is important that they understand the 

constructs of anger and PTSD, and how the two are related. Veterans have often been noted to 

experience considerable relief upon the realization that their anger problems are directly related to 

their PTSD symptoms, and that others are experiencing the same difficulties. In addition to 

providing definitions of anger and PTSD, group leaders discuss the different components of the 

anger response (thoughts, emotions, physiology, and behaviors), and how these components are 

inter-related and negatively affected by PTSD. Further, it should be stressed that the goal of 

treatment is not to eliminate anger completely, since the anger response is a survival response that 

when communicated in a constructive manner, can be very useful and healthy. Therefore, group 

leaders stress that the goal of anger treatment is to learn to manage anger better and express anger 

in an assertive manner. 

Self-monitoring. In order for veterans to learn new ways of handling their anger, they must first 

come to recognize when they are beginning to get angry, and recognize the thoughts and feelings 

associated with anger, as well as changes in their physiology. Many veterans returning from the 

war in Iraq may find this to be a difficult task, as their anger responses may be conditioned to 

respond immediately to the slightest risk of threat in their environment. That is, they may view 

their anger and aggression occurring instantly upon exposure to a perceived threat. However, 

upon completion of self-monitoring homework and in-group exercises, most group members will 

learn to identify signs of anger (e.g., heart racing, thoughts of revenge, feelings of betrayal) prior to 

an angry outburst. It is very important for veterans to develop this recognition as early as possible 

in the anger cycle, so that they may take active steps to avoid escalation to aggression (e.g., by 

taking a time-out, using relaxation strategies, etc.). Self-monitoring exercises also provide 

important information regarding the veteran’s perceptions of threat in his or her environment, 

which may be appropriately challenged in the therapy context. 

Assertiveness training. Many veterans have learned to respond to threats or other potentially 

anger-provoking stimuli either in an aggressive manner (e.g., physical or verbal assaults) or in a 

passive manner. Veterans may fear their own aggressive impulses and may lack self-efficacy with 

respect to controlling their anger, and therefore, they are more likely to “stuff” their anger and 

avoid conflict altogether. Not surprisingly, this overly passive behavior often leads to feelings of 

resentment and a failure to resolve problems, which in turn, leads to a higher likelihood of 

subsequent aggressive behavior. Therefore, considerable time in treatment is devoted to making 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 74 Assessment and Treatment of Anger 

the distinctions clear between passive, aggressive, and assertive behavior, and group members are 

encouraged to generate and practice assertive responses to a variety of situations. 

Stress management. In combating anger regulation problems, stress management interventions are 

critical to reduce the heightened physiological arousal, anxiety, depression, and other comorbid 

problems that accompany PTSD and contribute to anger problems. In our protocol, we implement 

an anger arousal exercise followed by a breathing-focused relaxation exercise to assist the veteran 

in becoming more aware of how thoughts are related to anger arousal and how relaxation 

exercises can assist in defusing the anger response. The aim is to assist the veteran in creating an 

early warning system that will help him or her recognize and cope with anger before it escalates to 

aggressive behavior. In addition to the implementation of relaxation strategies, several other stress 

management strategies are discussed and emphasized (e.g., self-care strategies, cognitive 

strategies) and the importance of social support in managing anger (e.g., talking with a friend or 

family member when angry) is stressed throughout the course of treatment. 

Communication skills training. Anger dysregulation often results from a failure to communicate 

effectively and assertively, and likewise, heightened anger and PTSD hinder communication. In 

our group treatment for anger problems, we cover several communication strategies (e.g., active 

listening, the “sandwich technique”) and tips (e.g., using “I statements,” paraphrasing, refraining 

from blaming or using threatening language) for effective communication. In this regard, is 

important to emphasize both verbal and nonverbal communication, as veterans with PTSD often 

unknowingly use threatening or intimidating looks or gestures to maintain a safe distance from 

others. 

References 

Buss, A.H., & Durkee, A. (1957). An inventory for assessing different kinds of hostility. Journal of Counseling 

Psychology, 21, 343-349. 

Buss, A.H., & Perry, M. (1992). The Aggression Questionnaire. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 

63, 452-459. 

Chemtob, C.M., Novaco, R.W., Hamada, R.S., Gross, D.M., & Smith, G. (1997). Anger regulation deficits in 

combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 10, 17-36. 

Chemtob, C.M., Novaco, R.W., Hamada, R.S., & Gross, D.M. (1997). Cognitive-behavioral treatment for 

severe anger in posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65, 184­

189. 

Spielberger, C.D. (1988). Manual for the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Odessa, FL: Psychological 

Assessment Resources. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 75 Traumatic Grief 

XI. Traumatic Grief:


 Symptomatology and Treatment in the Iraq War Veteran
 

Ilona Pivar, Ph.D. 

Symptoms of Grief are Distinct from PTSD and Depression
 

Although research into the prevalence and intensity of grief symptoms in war veterans is limited, 

clinicians recognize the importance for veterans of grieving the loss of comrades. Grief symptoms 

can include sadness, longing, missing the deceased, non-acceptance of the death, feeling the 

death was unfair, anger, feeling stunned, dazed, or shocked, emptiness, preoccupation with 

thoughts and images of the deceased, loss of enjoyment, difficulties in trusting others, social 

impairments, and guilt concerning the circumstances of the death. Recent research results, 

although limited to one sample of Vietnam combat veterans in a residential rehabilitation unit for 

PTSD, have supported findings in the general bereavement literature that unresolved grief can be 

detected as a distress syndrome distinct from depression and anxiety. In this sample of combat 

veterans, grief symptoms were detected at very high levels of intensity, thirty years post-loss. The 

intensity of symptoms experienced after thirty years was similar to that reported in community 

samples of grieving spouses and parents at six months post-loss. This supports clinical observations 

that unresolved grief, if left untreated, can continue unabated and increases the distress load of 

veterans. The existence of a distinct and intense set of grief symptoms indicates the need for 

clinical attention to grief in the treatment plan. 

Attachment and Bonding of Soldiers are Essential to Unit Cohesiveness 

Bonds with unit members are described by many veterans as some of the closest relationships they 

have formed in their lives. During Vietnam, soldiers were rotated in and out of units on individual 

schedules. Nevertheless, the percentage of returning veterans with PTSD who also report 

bereavement-related distress is high. In the Iraq conflict, young soldiers and reservists have 

remained with their units throughout training and deployment. Levels of mutual trust and respect, 

unit cohesiveness, and affective bonding will have been further strengthened by the experiences of 

deployment. While bonding and attachment to the unit may result in some protection against 

subsequent development of PTSD, unresolved bereavement may be expected to be associated 

with increased distress over the life span unless these losses are acknowledged and grief symptoms 

treated on a timely basis. 

Traumatic Grief 

Traumatic grief refers to the experience of the sudden loss of a significant and close attachment. 

Having a close buddy, identification with soldiers in the unit, and experiencing multiple losses 

were the strongest predictors of grief symptoms in the above sample of Vietnam veterans. Other 

factors that may influence the development of prolonged grief syndrome include: survivor guilt; 

feelings of powerlessness in not being able to prevent the death; anger at others who are thought 

to have caused the death; anger at oneself for committing a self-perceived error resulting in the 

death; tasks of survival in combat taking precedence over grieving; not being able to show 

emotional vulnerability; numbing and defending against overwhelming emotions; not having an 

opportunity in the field to acknowledge the death; and increased sense of vulnerability by seeing 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 76 Traumatic Grief 

someone close killed. Factors important in the Iraq War may include exposure to significant 

numbers of civilian casualties, exposure to death from friendly fire or accidents resulting from 

massive and rapid troop movements, and concern about culpability for having caused death or 

harm to civilians in cities. These factors may contribute to experiences of shock, disbelief, and selfblame that increase risk of traumatic and complicated grief reactions. 

Experiences That Can Influence the Development of Intense Grief: What We Learned from 

Vietnam 

The sudden loss of attachments takes many forms in the war zone. Soldiers may experience 

overwhelming self-blame for events that are not under their control, including deaths during the 

chaos of firefights, accidents and failures of equipment, medical triage, and casualties from 

friendly fire. The everyday infantryman from Vietnam lived his mistakes over and over again, 

perhaps in order to find some way of relieving pain and guilt from the death of friends. Many 

medics during Vietnam suffered tremendously when they were not able to save members of their 

unit, especially when they identified strongly with the men under their care. Pilots called in to fire 

close to troops were overcome with guilt when their ordinance hit American soldiers even while 

saving a majority of men. Officers felt unique responsibility for the subordinates under their care 

and suffered undue guilt and grief when results of combat were damaging. Soldiers who worked 

closely with civilians were often shocked when they witnessed deaths of people with whom they 

had come to develop mutual trust. Deaths of civilian women and children were difficult to bear. 

Many of these same experiences can be expected to affect combat troops in Iraq. 

Normal vs. Pathological Grief 

Bereavement is a universal experience. Intense emotions, including sadness, longing, anger, and 

guilt, are reactions to the loss of a close person. Common in the first days and weeks of grieving 

are intense emotions, usually experienced as coming in waves lasting 20 minutes to an hour, with 

accompanying somatic sensations in the stomach, tightness in the throat, shortness of breath, 

intense fatigue, feeling faint, agitation, and helplessness. Lack of motivation, loss of interest in 

outside activities, and social withdrawal are also fairly common. A person experiencing normal 

grief will have a gradual decline in symptoms and distress. When grief symptoms remain at 

severely discomforting levels, even after two months, a referral to a clinician can be considered. If 

intense symptoms persist after six months, a diagnosis of complicated grief can be made and there 

is a definite indication for clinical intervention. Complicated grief prolonged over time has been 

shown to have negative effects on health, social functioning, and mental health. 

Acute Traumatic Grief 

Survivors of traumatic events can experience acute symptoms of distress including intense 

agitation, self-accusations, high-risk behaviors, suicidal ideation, and intense outbursts of anger, 

superimposed on the symptoms of normal bereavement. Soldiers who lose their comrades in battle 

have been known to make heroic efforts to save them or recover their bodies. Some soldiers have 

reacted with rage at the enemy, risking their lives with little thought (“gone berserk” or “kill 

crazy”). Some soldiers withdraw and become loners, seldom or never again making friends; some 

express extreme anger at the events and personnel that brought them to the conflict. Some soldiers 

are inclined to mask their emotions. Any sign of vulnerability or “losing” it can indicate that they 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 77 Traumatic Grief 

are not tough enough to handle combat. Delaying grief may well postpone problems that can 

become chronic symptoms weeks, months and years later. The returning veteran who has 

developed PTSD and/or depression may well be masking his or her grief symptoms. 

Assessment and Treatment of Acute Grief in Returning Veterans 

Clinical judgment is necessary in deciding when and how to treat acute grief reactions, especially 

when they are accompanied by a diagnosis of acute stress disorder. While a cognitive-behavioral 

treatment package that includes exposure therapy has been shown to prevent the development of 

PTSD some persons with acute stress disorder, exposure therapy during the initial stages of grief 

may often be contraindicated, because it may place great emotional strain on someone only just 

bereaved. Bereavement researchers also are hesitant to treat grief in the first few months of a 

normal loss, wishing not to interfere with a natural healing process. In the early stages of grief, 

symptoms may be experienced as intense, but this is normal for the first days, weeks, and months. 

Soldiers surviving a traumatic loss in the war zone will be more likely to mask intense feelings of 

sadness, pain, vulnerability, anxiety, anger, and guilt. Balancing other traumatic experiences with 

the intensity of grief may feel overwhelming. Therefore it is important to assess and respect the 

individual soldier’s ability to cope and manage these feelings at any time. A soldier may be 

relieved to know that someone understands how he or she feels after losing a buddy, or 

experiencing other losses including civilians or multiple deaths in the field, and communication 

with a clinician may be a first step in coming to terms with loss. However, that soldier may not be 

ready to probe more deeply into feelings and circumstances. Care and patience in the assessment 

process, as well as in beginning treatment, is essential. 

Treatment during the acute stages of grief would best include acknowledgement of the loss, 

communication of understanding of the depth of feelings, encouragement to recover positive 

memories of the deceased, recognition of the good intentions of the survivor to come to the aid of 

the deceased, education about what to expect during the course of acute grief, and 

encouragement of distraction and relaxation techniques as a temporary palliative. Efforts to reduce 

symptoms of PTSD and depression as co-morbid disorders would take precedence over grief 

symptoms in the initial phases of treatment, unless the loss itself is the main cause of distress. 

Assessment of Complicated Grief in Returning Veterans 

Grief symptoms including sadness, distress, guilt, anger, intrusive thoughts, and preoccupation 

with the death should be declining after about six months during a normal grieving process. If 

symptoms remain very high after six months, clinical intervention is warranted. There are several 

instruments that may be helpful in assessing a complicated grief. The Inventory of Complicated 

Grief-Revised is perhaps most widely used and reflects current bereavement research. Another 

instrument is the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief, which has been used in a variety of populations 

and has been well validated. Both allow comparisons with normative populations. 

Treatment of Complicated Grief in Returning Veterans 

There have been no outcome studies of treatments of veterans for prolonged and complicated grief 

symptoms at this time. Clinical experience supports the importance of education about normal and 

complicated grief processes, education about the cognitive processes of guilt, restructuring of 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 78 Traumatic Grief 

cognitive distortions of events that might lead to excessive guilt, looking at the function of anger in 

bereavement, restoring positive memories of the deceased, restoration and acknowledgment of 

caring feelings towards the deceased, affirming resilience and positive coping, retelling the story of 

the death, and learning to tolerate painful feelings as part of the grieving process. These activities 

can be provided in individual treatment or in closed groups. 

Regardless of the techniques that are used, what is central to treating veterans for prolonged and 

complicated grief is recognition of the significance of their losses, provision of an opportunity to 

talk about the deceased, restructuring of distorted thoughts of guilt, and validation of the pain and 

intensity of their feelings. What is most essential is that bereavement and loss be treated in 

addition to PTSD and depression for a more complete recovery. 

Medications Helpful in Treating Grief Symptoms in Non-Veteran Populations 

One research study has shown that paroxetine as well as nortriptyline may be helpful in treating 

complicated grief after six months. Bupropion has been successful in treating symptoms at six to 

eight weeks. Again, research has been limited and has not included war zone veterans. 

Additional Resources 

Faschingbauer, T., Zisook, S. & DeVaul, R. (1987). The Texas Revised Inventory of Grief. In S. Zisook (Ed.), 

Biopsychosocial aspects of bereavement. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press. 

Jacobs, S. (1999). Traumatic grief: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Philadelphia, PA: Brunner/Mazel. 

Jacobs, S., & Prigerson, H. (2000). Psychotherapy of traumatic grief: A review of evidence for 

psychotherapeutic treatments. Death Studies, 24, 479-495. 

Prigerson, H., Maciejewski, P., Reynolds, C., Bierhals, A., Newsom, J., Faziczka, A., et al. (1995). Inventory 

of Complicated Grief: A scale to measure maladaptive symptoms of loss. Psychiatry Research, 59, 65­

79. 

Raphael, B., & Martinek, N. (1997). Assessing traumatic bereavement and posttraumatic stress disorder. In 

J.P. Wilson & T.M. Keane (Eds.), Assessing psychological trauma and PTSD (pp. 373-395). New York: 

Guilford Press. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 79 Substance Abuse 

XII. Substance Abuse in the Deployment Environment 

R. Gregory Lande, DO FACN, Barbara A. Marin, Ph.D., and Josef I. Ruzek, Ph.D. 

Comprehensive screening for substance abuse requires a three-part analysis. Health care providers 

should focus on behavior prior to deployment, during actual operations, and post deployment. 

Each situation deserves special, but brief and focused, screening. 

For the vast majority of individuals the notice of impending deployment unleashes a myriad of 

cognitive and behavioral reactions. These reactions are generally mild and transient as the 

individuals’ healthy coping mechanisms respond to the news. In a minority of cases the fear and 

uncertainty of the looming deployment precipitates a maladaptive response. Among this group, a 

fairly significant number will turn to substance abuse as a means of quelling the troubled predeployment emotions. In fact, current numbers estimate that roughly one-third of the American 

population meets criteria for problem drinking. Naturally, that figure would be higher among 

individuals manifesting varying degrees of behavioral difficulties. 

A reasonable pre-deployment substance abuse screening strategy might begin with the general, but 

openly stated recognition, that a pending deployment normally elicits a wide range of emotions. 

An innocuous screening interview might begin with a question such as: “Individuals run the gamut 

from being excited to being petrified when notified of their deployment - what best characterizes 

your reaction?” Another question or two, based on the answer to the first question, could address 

the individual’s coping style. For example, if an individual relates that the notice of deployment 

created a sense of anxiety and panic the health care provider might ask, “How are you handling 

your anxiety?” or “What makes you feel less stressed?,” or “What plans are you making now that 

you have the notice of deployment?”. Finally, a comment such as, “Some people find that drinking 

a bit more alcohol, smoking a few more cigarettes, or pouring some extra java helps relieve the 

stress – have you noticed this in yourself?” If this question prompts the individual to disclose 

tendencies in the direction of increased substance use, the heath care provider should then 

conduct a more formalized screen using the quantity-frequency questions followed, as 

appropriate, by the CAGE questions. 

The quantity-frequency questions require three simple steps: 

➀ First ask, “On average, how many days a week do you drink alcohol?” 

➁ Then ask, “On a typical day when you drink, how many drinks do you have?” 

➂ Multiply the days of drinking a week times the number of drinks. 

For example, an individual might report drinking a six-pack of beer Friday night and both weekend 

days. Using the above formula (3 days a week X 6 drinks per typical day) results in a score of 18. 

Any score exceeding 14 for men or 7 for women suggests an at-risk behavior. The next question in 

the quantity-frequency screen asks, “What is the maximum number of drinks you had on any 

given day since learning of your deployment?” A score exceeding 4 for men or 3 for women again 

suggests a potential problem with alcohol (Dawson, 2000). 

Individuals identified by the quantity-frequency screen should next be asked the CAGE questions. 

CAGE is an acronym for the following questions: 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 80 Substance Abuse 

C — Have you ever felt that you should CUT down on your drinking?
 

A — Have people ANNOYED you by criticizing your drinking?
 

G — Have you ever felt bad or GUILTY about your drinking?
 

E — Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a
 

hangover (i.e., as an EYE-OPENER)? 

Individuals endorsing either 3 or 4 of the CAGE questions over the past year are most likely 

alcohol dependent. If the individual endorses 1 or 2 of the CAGE questions they may have current 

alcohol abuse. Combining the introductory screening comments with the quantity-frequency and 

CAGE questions can reliably predict 70-80% of individuals with alcohol abuse or dependence 

(Friedman et al., 2001). 

The same screening tool can be adapted for illicit drug use. For example, the initial questions 

about the person’s response to notification of deployment might uncover the use of marijuana. The 

health care provider can then ask quantity-frequency questions followed by the adapted CAGE. 

Unfortunately, there are no predetermined cut-off scores for all the potential drugs of abuse, 

requiring the substitution of clinical judgment. 

The screening tools described so far will help guide the care provider’s thinking in determining the 

best intervention for the individual awaiting deployment. Persons with a CAGE score of 3 or 4 will 

require a more in-depth clinical evaluation focusing on alcohol or drug related disability. If further 

evaluation confirms the presence of alcohol or illicit drug dependence, the care provider should 

determine whether imminent deployment is in the best interest of the individual and the military 

mission. The care provider might recommend a diversion for treatment before deployment. 

Individuals with a CAGE score of 1 or 2 will also require additional assessment. The focus here 

once again is on impairment but the range of possible interventions may not interfere with 

deployment. The care provider might determine for example that the spike in alcohol or drug 

consumption is temporary and will likely abate with a strong suggestion that abstinence or 

reduction is essential. Part of the decision-making may center on the availability of alcohol or 

drugs in the theater of operations. 

Typically forgotten in the abuse assessment are common legal products such a tobacco and 

caffeine. An increase in either prior to deployment may represent a soft warning signal that 

portends later problems. A substantial increase in the use of nicotine in the days leading up to 

deployment may be followed by a corresponding reduction once the individual arrives in the 

theater of operations. Many factors may promote the reduction, such as lack of availability or less 

free time, but the outcome will be the same. Nicotine withdrawal, most likely unrecognized, will 

produce irritability, dysphoria, and sleep disturbances. 

Once the individual arrives in the theater of operations the stress of combat will be amplified by 

any preexisting, yet undetected, substance abuse problems. Two broad scenarios are possible. If 

the theater has easy access to drugs or alcohol then the pattern of abuse may continue or 

accelerate. If drug or alcohol acquisition is difficult, then the individual may experience symptoms 

of withdrawal. Clinicians in Iraq report that alcohol is easily accessible. Early on in the 

deployment, many soldiers were allowed to go to marketplaces in the cities where “black market” 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 81 Substance Abuse 

diazepam was cheap and readily available. Abuse of this drug decreased after trips to the 

marketplaces were discontinued for safety/security reasons. 

The previously discussed substance abuse screening questions have just as much applicability in 

the combat zone as in the pre-deployment phase. The simplicity, and accuracy of the screening 

questions, is ideally suited to the triage environment of combat. Given the statistical frequency of 

substance abuse in the American population the care provider must strongly suspect any cognitive 

behavioral symptoms arising in combat as the product of either ongoing use or withdrawal. Many 

of the signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are easily misinterpreted. An individual 

presenting with autonomic hyperactivity, sleep difficulties, agitation, and anxiety may be suffering 

from withdrawal and not a combat related acute stress disorder. Appropriate detection could 

prevent an unnecessary evacuation and lead instead to a brief in-theater detoxification. 

Once again, care providers in the combat zone should screen for the common legal substances 

such as tobacco and caffeine. Prompt recognition of tobacco withdrawal symptoms could lead to 

a prescription for some form of nicotine replacement therapy. New products that help quit 

smoking such as buproprion and mecamylamine hold promise too. A subsequent period of 

observation may help distinguish the interaction between withdrawal affects and local stressors. 

Any provider considering evacuating an individual from the theater of operations for a substance 

abuse disorder should carefully consider advising the individual about the likely treatment options 

and the impact on a military career. Hopefully, individuals evacuated from a combat zone for a 

substance abuse disorder will have been counseled regarding the value of treatment and the 

ultimate expectation that recovery will lead to future, productive military service, including 

possible redeployment to the combat zone. Care providers at the secondary or tertiary level facility 

can then assess the individual and recommend appropriate outpatient or inpatient treatment. 

The clinician must consider the role of the military command regarding alcohol and drug related 

problems. A standing order prohibiting the use of any alcohol or illegal drugs exists in deployed 

environments. As a result, the military commander usually becomes involved when a soldier is 

identified in an alcohol or drug related incident. Commanders vary in their biases as how to 

handle these situations, but in general try to balance their concerns for the individual soldier’s 

medical/treatment needs with the need for unit discipline. Commanders often look for direction in 

balancing these legitimate concerns and usually appreciate input from mental health providers in 

making such decisions. At times, an inappropriately high level of tolerance of substance use or 

abuse occurs in some units. This may be more likely in National Guard or Reserve units. Some 

mental health clinicians in Iraq report that alcohol use in some units was prevalent to the degree 

that officers, NCOs and junior enlisted drink together. Though rare, such circumstances create 

significant challenges for proper unit functioning and for the effectiveness of mental health 

interventions. 

Aside from screening for the common legal and illicit substances, the care provider in all phases of 

deployment should consider the role of herbal supplements, over the counter medications, and 

steroids. Another commonly neglected, but easily screened issue, involves the potential abuse of 

prescription medications. 

Screening is also important in the post-deployment environment, where some individuals may 

resume previous problem drinking/drug use upon return to the US. or increase substance use as a 

means of coping with stress-related problems or attempting to manage traumatic stress reactions. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 82 Substance Abuse 

PTSD, depression, and alcohol and drug problems are often co-occurring in veterans. Both health 

and mental health providers should be alert to this and, as part of patient education, should inform 

returning veterans about safe drinking practices, discuss the relationship between traumatic stress 

reactions and substance abuse, and initiate preventive interventions to reduce drinking. 

Evidence suggests that substance abuse recovery is made more difficult by concurrent PTSD, and it 

is important to provide routine screening for PTSD in alcohol and drug treatment programs. When 

an individual is experiencing problems with both substance abuse and PTSD, it is important to 

address both disorders in an integrated fashion. Individuals should be helped to understand both 

problems and their relationship, and relapse prevention programming should address coping with 

traumatic stress symptoms without alcohol or drugs. Protocols for integrated treatment, such as the 

“Seeking Safety” trauma-relevant coping skills group intervention (Najavits, 2002), are now 

becoming available. 

This brief clinical guide proposes a simple process, with proven accuracy, to screen individuals for 

substance abuse. This guide further suggests that care providers employ the screen in the three 

phases of pre-deployment, in the combat zone, and upon evacuation. The data gained at each 

juncture will help the clinician’s decision making process in clarifying the contribution of 

substance use to a muddled clinical picture, taking appropriate treatment steps, forestalling some 

unnecessary evacuations, and prompting the best match between the individual’s needs and the 

military mission. 

References 

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Prevention. Unpublished data from the 1992 National Longitudinal 

Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey of 42,862 US adults aged 18 or older. 

Dawson, D. (2000). US low risk drinking guidelines: An examination of four alternatives. Alcoholism Clinical 

and Experimental Research, 24, 1820-1829. 

Friedman, P.D., Saitz, R., Gogineni, A., Zhang, J.X., & Stein, M.D. (2001). Validation of the screening 

strategy in the NIAAA. Physicians’ Guide to Helping Patients with Alcohol Problems. Journal of Studies 

on Alcohol, 62, 234-238. 

Najavits, L.M. (2002). Seeking safety: A treatment manual for PTSD and substance abuse. New York: 

Guilford. 

Additional Resources 

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/
 

National Institute on Drug Abuse: http://www.nida.nih.gov/
 

National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information: http://www.health.gov/
 

Army Center for Substance Abuse Programs with links to world-wide ASAP locations:
 

http://www.acsap.army.mil/ 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide	 83 Impact of Deployment on Family 

XIII. The Impact of Deployment on the Military Family
 

COL Douglas A. Waldrep, MC, USA; COL Stephen J. Cozza, MC, USA; and COL Ryo Sook Chun, MC, USA 

The frequency of deployment of military service members has increased in the past ten years. This 

is largely due to their increased involvement in Operations Other than War, as well as actual 

combat scenarios. Servicemen and women may be deployed from active duty, as well as Reserve 

or National Guard positions. Deployments can be of varying level of challenge to military families. 

In families where medical or emotional/behavioral problems preexist, the deployment of a military 

parent can destabilize a tenuous situation, creating a significant ordeal for the family. 

Active duty families often, but not always, live within military communities where family and 

individual support and therapeutic services are more readily available in situations of deployment. 

Reserve or National Guard service members may be activated for deployment from civilian jobs in 

geographical locations that are remote from any military resources. In such situations, families can 

feel isolated and less supported. These problems can be compounded if a service member takes a 

financial loss when activated from a better paying civilian position to a lesser paying military 

position. 

Certainly, the nature of the deployment and the role of the service member in the military action 

can have a significant impact on children and family left behind. For example, the deployment of 

a service member on a scheduled peacekeeping mission rotation is likely to be experienced very 

differently than the deployment of a service member in a wartime scenario. 

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment 

Deployment is a routine part of military life for service members and their families. Most military 

families have accepted this as “part of the job.” Although all families may respond somewhat 

differently, the emotional cycle of deployment has been described as being divided into five 

distinct stages: pre-deployment, deployment, sustainment, re-deployment, and post-deployment. 

Each stage is characterized by the time frame associated with it as well as specific emotional 

challenges that must be addressed and mastered. 

� Pre-deployment is the phase from the time of notification of deployment to the actual 

departure of the service member. It is often a time of psychological denial of the event, 

intense preparation, and anticipation of the departure. 

� Deployment is the phase from the time of departure through the first month of deployment. 

It can be a time of significant emotional turmoil as the family tries to regain its equilibrium 

after the departure of a parent. Feelings can include numbness, sadness, and feelings of 

isolation or abandonment. Many of the day-to-day responsibilities of the absent parent 

need to be absorbed by the remaining members of the family and a new balance is 

established. Communication from the deployed service member upon arrival can be 

tremendously reassuring. Any unrealistic worries that preoccupied family members in the 

pre-deployment phase are reduced as they develop a more realistic appreciation of the 

deployment. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide	 84 Impact of Deployment on Family 

� Sustainment is the phase that spans from one month post deployment to one month prior 

to return. In most adaptive families it is marked by “settling into the new routine” and 

going on about regular business, utilizing whatever resources either within or outside of 

the family are available. Should a family not be able to return to business-as-usual, this 

could impact negatively on the development of children within the family. Some children 

may have a difficult time during this period, in the absence of a parent, and may develop 

symptoms that should be readily identified and appropriately dealt with. Conflict between 

the service member and the remaining spouse can result in emotional turmoil, particularly 

because communication may not allow full resolution of all disagreements. 

� Re-deployment is the phase that spans from one-month prior to return to the actual 

physical return of the service member to the family. This is a period of intense anticipation, 

with conflicting emotions and possibly some anxiety along with excitement. 

� Post-deployment is the phase that begins with the return of the service member and ends 

with the reestablishment of family equilibrium. Generally, this period may take from one to 

several months. The homecoming can be a time of great excitement and jubilation. But, it 

also can result in frustration and feeling let down due to unmet unrealistic fantasies about 

the reunion. Service members may become frustrated in finding that the family has moved 

on in their absence and that changes have been made in family functioning that they were 

not involved in. The parent who remained behind during the deployment may experience 

a loss of independence with the return of the spouse who begins to re-exercise autonomy. 

Marital couples may require time to reestablish physical and emotional intimacy, which 

can lead to a sense of disappointment or disillusionment. Ultimately, it is important that 

the deployed service member reasserts his or her role within the family and again 

reestablishes a healthy equilibrium. Most families and children manage successfully during 

deployments, despite inherent challenges. 

Children’s Responses to Deployment 

Children’s responses to deployment are individualized and depend upon their developmental 

ages. Infants (12 months and younger) are likely to respond to changes in their schedule, physical 

environment, or in the presence or availability of caregivers. Disruptions in infant care can lead to 

risk of apathy, refusal to eat, or even weight loss. Toddlers (1-3 years) generally take clues from 

their primary caregiver. If the non-deploying parent is available and coping well a toddler is likely 

to cope well. If not, a toddler may become sullen, tearful, throw temper tantrums, or develop sleep 

disturbances. Parents must balance their care for young children with their own needs, using play 

dates and support from other parents to assist them. 

Preschoolers (3-6 years) have a clearer awareness of the absence of a parent than do younger 

children. They may emotionally respond to this with regressive behaviors (regression in potty 

training, thumb sucking, sleep disturbance, clinginess, and separation anxiety). They may also 

demonstrate signs of irritability, depression, aggression, or somatic complaints. Due to their active 

imaginations, preschoolers may develop idiosyncratic or personalized explanations regarding the 

deployment of a parent, e.g., “Daddy (or Mommy) left because I was angry at him (her).” These 

inaccuracies can best be addressed through brief, matter-of-fact but accurate information related to 

the deployment. Preschoolers’ concerns related to feelings of responsibility of the deployment 

should be dispelled. These young children can best be reassured by parents through attention, 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide	 85 Impact of Deployment on Family 

emotional and physical warmth and by maintaining family routines (such as expecting them to 

sleep in their own beds). 

School age children (6-12 years) may “act out” their feelings by demonstrating irritability, 

aggression, or whininess. They may have a clearer understanding of the realities of the deployment 

and the potential risks of the deployed parent. Worries and other feelings should be accepted to 

allow for ongoing communication. Information regarding the deployed parent should be provided 

in a clear fashion, as should expectations regarding functioning at school and at home. Parents 

should ensure that children are limited in the amount of media exposure, particularly during times 

of war. 

Teenagers (13-18 years) may similarly demonstrate irritability, rebelliousness, or other challenging 

behaviors. It is important to maintain good communication with teenagers as they may present 

their anxiety and sadness in behaviorally destructive ways. Setting clear and realistic expectations 

regarding functioning at school and home can provide useful structure. Parents should particularly 

observe for any signs of high-risk behavior to include sexual acting out or alcohol/substance 

misuse. 

What Parents Can Do 

Although some adjustment reactions are to be expected during deployments, certain symptoms 

should warrant referral for professional services. The following are examples of concerns that 

should be raised to a higher level of care: uncontrolled or prolonged crying, prolonged and serious 

regressive behaviors, disorganized behavior, confusion, prolonged or serious eating or sleeping 

problems, prolonged or serious separation anxiety, school refusal, unexplained and recurring 

somatic complaints, academic performance deterioration, depression, prolonged sadness, suicidal 

ideation, aggression, sexual acting out, or alcohol/substance misuse. 

Parents are the key for initial interventions and prevention of future problems for themselves and 

their families. Parents should take the lead in the following suggestions. 

� Encourage talking as a family before deployment, sharing information, and making plans. 

Empower, rather than “dump” responsibilities on remaining family members. Being a 

family means pulling together during times of crisis. Additional responsibilities can be 

experienced as either burdens or shared responsibilities. 

� Plans should be made for the family to continue to progress together, and include the 

deploying parent. Life should not be put “on hold” during deployments. Family traditions, 

the structure of the family routines should continue and new ones developed. The old 

traditions and new experiences should be shared with the deployed parent through 

whatever communication is possible. Similarly, discipline as well as structure should be 

maintained as this is reassuring and stabilizing to children. 

� Parents should be encouraged to listen to and to ask about a child’s worries about the 

deployed parent and answer questions as truthfully as possible. To children, no news is 

worse than bad news. Children benefit from receiving accurate and developmentally 

appropriate information about the deployment. They also gain from hearing their nondeployed parent discuss his/her own emotional response to the other parent’s absence in a 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide	 86 Impact of Deployment on Family 

controlled but honest fashion. Children can better formulate their own responses by 

understanding how the non-deployed parent is coping. 

� It can be helpful to younger children in appreciating the finite nature of a deployment by 

devising developmentally appropriate time-lines. One way this can be accomplished is 

through the use of “countdown” calendars that allow children to mark off each day that 

passes, highlighting both the time that has passed since departure and the time remaining 

until return. 

� Support form the child’s outside social structure is important as well. A close relationship 

with the school and the child’s teacher(s) will help others who share the child’s day 

understand what the child is going through. 

� Non-deployed parents need to take care of themselves so that they can be available to 

their children. Utilization of community and extended family resources, as available both 

within and outside the military system, can be extremely important for the non-deployed 

parent. Professional assistance should be sought out if the parent or the child is not 

adjusting well to the deployment. Multiple resources are available to the military family 

during deployments. The Family Assistance Center, Deployment Support Groups, Unit 

Command, Family Advocacy Program, Military Medical Clinic, Military Mental Health 

Services, Military Chaplains or other religious organization support, and the Youth Center 

are just a few examples of available resources. 

Conclusions 

Although the impact of deployment on families may be considerable, most families adjust well. 

The responses to the multiple stages of deployment depend upon the stability of the family unit 

prior to the deployment, the developmental ages of the family members, the availability of internal 

and external resources and the willingness of the family to use them. Clinicians need to be aware 

of these issues when working with families of deployed soldiers in order to identify those families 

that may need additional services. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 87 Appendix A 

Appendix A. Case Examples From Operation Iraqi Freedom
 

The following case examples describe veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom who were treated at 

military and VA medical facilities in 2003-2004. Information has been modified to protect patient 

identities. 

Case 1 

Specialist LR is a 25 year-old single African American man who is an activated National 

Guardsman with 4 years of reserve service. He is a full-time college student and competitive 

athlete raised by a single mother in public housing. He has a history of minor assaults in school 

and his neighborhood and of exposure to street violence. 

Initially trained in transportation, he was called to active duty and retrained as a military 

policeman to serve with his unit in Baghdad. He described enjoying the high intensity of his 

deployment and had become recognized by others as an informal leader because of his 

aggressiveness and self-confidence. He describes numerous exposures while performing convoy 

escort and security details. He reports coming under small arms fire on several occasions, 

witnessing dead and injured civilians and Iraqi soldiers and on occasion feeling powerless when 

forced to detour or take evasive action. He began to develop increasing mistrust of the operational 

environment, as the situation “on the street” seemed to deteriorate. He often felt that he and his 

fellow soldiers were placed in harm’s way needlessly. 

On a routine convoy mission, serving as driver for the lead HMMWV (HUMVEE), his vehicle was 

struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), showering him with shrapnel in his neck, arm, 

and leg. Another member of his vehicle was even more seriously injured. He described “kicking 

into autopilot,” driving his vehicle to a safe location, and jumping out to do a battle damage 

assessment. He denied feeling much pain at that time. He was evacuated to the Combat Support 

Hospital (CSH) where he was treated and Returned to Duty (RTD) after several days despite 

requiring crutches and suffering chronic pain from retained shrapnel in his neck. He began to 

become angry at his command and doctors for keeping him in theater while he was unable to 

perform his duties effectively. He began to develop insomnia, hypervigilance and a startle 

response. His initial dreams of the event became more intense and frequent and he suffered 

intrusive thoughts and flashbacks of the attack. He began to withdraw from his friends and suffered 

anhedonia, feeling detached from others and he feared his future would be cut short. He was 

referred to a psychiatrist at the CSH who initiated supportive therapy and an SSRI. 

After two months of unsuccessful rehabilitation for his battle injuries and worsening depressive 

and anxiety symptoms, he was evacuated to a stateside military medical center via a European 

medical center. He was screened for psychiatric symptoms and was referred for outpatient 

evaluation and management. He met DSM-IV criteria for acute PTSD and was offered medication 

management, supportive therapy, and group therapy, which he declined. He was treated with 

sertraline, trazodone and clonazepam targeting his symptoms of insomnia, anxiety and 

hyperarousal. Due to continued autonomic arousal, quetiapine was substituted for the trazodone 

clonazepam for sleep and anxiety, and clonidine was started for autonomic symptoms. He 

responded favorably to this combination of medications. He avoided alcohol as he learned it 

would exacerbate symptoms. He was ambivalent about taking passes or convalescent leave to his 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 88 Appendix A 

home because of fears of being “different, irritated, or aggressive” around his family and girlfriend. 

After three months at the military medical center, he was sent to his demobilization site to await 

deactivation to his National Guard unit. He was referred to his local VA Hospital to receive 

follow-up care. 

Case 2 

PV2 RJ is a 26-year old white female with less than 12 months of active duty service who was 

deployed to Iraq in September 2003. She reported excelling in high school but moved out of her 

house after becoming pregnant during her senior year. After graduating from high school on 

schedule, she worked at several jobs until she was able to become an x-ray assistant. She had 

been on her first duty assignment as an x-ray technician in Germany. As a single parent she 

attempted to make plans for her dependent 5-year old son. However, when notified of her 

impending deployment she needed to make hurried and unexpected care plans for her son. 

Within a week of being deployed to Iraq the service member began experiencing depressed mood, 

decreased interest in activities, increased appetite, irritability, increased social isolation with 

passive suicidal ideations, and insomnia due to nightmares of the devil coming after her. She also 

began believing Saddam Hussein was the “Antichrist.” In addition, she began experiencing 

command directed auditory hallucination of the devil whispering to her that people in her unit 

were saying she was stupid and that she should make them shut up. At one time, the devil told her 

to throw things at them. Her guilt intensified as her wish to act on the voices increased. She also 

described seeing visual hallucinations of “monsters” that were making fun of her. 

These symptoms intensified when she went from an in-processing point to her assignment in Iraq. 

They also worsened when she ruminated about the stresses of being in Iraq (bombs exploding, 

missing her son and family, disgust at other women who were seeking the attention of men). Of 

most concern, she was worried that she might not survive the deployment. When she was around 

people, she experienced palpitations, increase swearing, shaking, shortness of breath, abdominal 

cramping, and dizziness. In hopes of getting rid of her symptoms especially the voices and 

monsters, she ingested Tylenol #3s she had obtained for a minor medical procedure. After 

confiding her symptoms to a military friend, RJ was referred for an evaluation and was evacuated 

out of Iraq to CONUS via Germany. 

When she returned to CONUS, RJ also shared with the treatment team that in the week prior to 

deployment she believed she was drugged by a date and that he sexually assaulted her. RJ was 

hesitant to discuss the few memories she had of the incident, due to embarrassment. She denied 

any other previous traumatic events but she stated she distrusted men in general, as many men in 

her life had been unreliable or irresponsible. She admitted to occasional alcohol use but denied 

any drug use. Throughout the hospitalization, her greatest concern was being reunited with her 

son and leaving the military. She was treated with a combination of antidepressant and 

antipsychotic medications that resulted in improvement in her symptoms. Despite improvement, 

RJ underwent a Medical Evaluation Board for diagnoses of Major Depression with Psychotic 

Features and PTSD. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 89 Appendix A 

Case 3
 

SFC W is a 45-year-old divorced Operation Iraqi Freedom Reservist who was involved in a motor 

vehicle accident in Afghanistan in Jun 2003. SFC W suffered a Lumbar Burst Fracture and had 

multiple surgical procedures with instrumentation and fusion at a European military medical 

center, which was complicated by a Deep Vein Thrombosis. 

SFC W was transferred through the Aeromedical Evacuation System to a stateside medical center 

where he was admitted as a Non-Battle Injury for Inpatient Rehabilitation for Spinal Chord Injury. 

SFC W’s Treatment Plan consisted of a Rehabilitation Program involving Physical and 

Occupational Therapy with goals of independent ambulation with an assistive device and to 

establish a bowel and bladder program. The Coumadin Clinic treated his Deep Vein Thrombosis 

and he was evaluated by the Traumatic Brain Injury Program staff. Pain was controlled with MS 

Contin 15 mgm two times a day with Oxycodone IR 5 mgm 1-2 tabs every 4-6 hours as needed for 

breakthrough pain and Ambien 10 mgm per day as needed for sleep problems. Other staff 

included in his care included Nursing, Social Work, Chaplain, Reserve Liason, and Medical 

Holding Company, and Medical Board staff. 

SFC W was followed by the Preventive Medicine Psychiatry Service (PMPS) in accordance with 

the service’s Operation Iraqi Freedom Protocol. PMPS staff initially recommended beginning 

therapy with an SSRI such as Sertraline at a starting dose of 25 mgm a day to address concerning 

symptoms, such as his increased startle response, emotional lability, and intrusive thoughts, which 

the staff thought could be prodromal for an Acute Stress Disorder. PMPS staff also incorporated a 

combination of hypnotic and relaxation techniques to assist SFC W with sleep and pain related 

problems. Staff recommended increasing sertraline to 50 mgm per day because he reported that he 

was continuing to be troubled by some memories of his accident. Aside from the target symptoms 

that were addressed above, no other psychiatric issues were identified. 

An initial Post Deployment Health Assessment Tool (PDHAT) was completed during SFC W’s 

hospital admission. He endorsed depressive symptoms at a level of 11 (a score of 10 or above 

indicates a potential concern) and endorsed symptoms consistent with PTSD (one intrusive 

symptom, two arousal symptoms and three avoidance symptoms) at the level of a little bit. 

In June 2003, SFC W was transferred to the Spinal Chord Rehabilitation Program at a VA Hospital. 

He was able to ambulate with the assistance of a walker, pain in his back and left leg was 

controlled with pain medicine, and his problems with a neurogenic bowel and bladder were well 

controlled with a daily bowel and bladder program. Additional Traumatic Brain Testing and 

Coumadin regulation was requested. 

Soldiers are contacted either telephonically or at the time of a follow-up visit to WRAMC and are 

assessed for PTSD, Depression, Alcohol Usage, Somatic Complaints, Days of Poor Physical and/or 

Mental Health and Lost Productivity, and Satisfaction with Health Care. 

SFC W could not be reached by phone until the 6-month PDHAT follow-up. At that time he met 

criteria for Major Depression and had symptoms consistent with criteria for PTSD at the moderate 

level. He reported that he had lost 20 days of productivity due to physical and mental health 

problems. In addition, he reported problems with pain, sleep, sexual functioning, and the fact that 

he will never be the same again. He is able to ambulate with the assistance of a walker within his 

home and uses a wheel chair for outside excursions. He continues with a bowel program. His 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 90 Appendix A 

need to self-catheterize limits his visits outside the home. He is clinically followed at a local VA by 

Psychiatry, Neurology, Spinal Chord Program, and Physical Therapy. He reported taking between 

25-35 pills a day, including Trazadone for sleep and sertraline 100 mgm po BID for treatment of 

Depression and PTSD. He has accepted his functional limitations and is trying to adapt to the 

changes in his lifestyle. His support system is fairly good, he has a very supportive wife, his 

Reserve Unit is in contact with him, and he has attended social functions in recognition of 

returning Reservists. A request for case management services was submitted to the VA Hospital to 

assist SFC W in understanding his medications, adapting to his functional limitations and 

understanding his long term prognosis because of his spinal chord injury, and working through his 

PTSD symptoms to include trauma bereavement. Legal Assistance at WRAMC also assisted him 

with a claim for personal property lost as a result of his deployment to Iraq. 

Prior to his deployment to Iraq, SFC W worked as a truck driver for a transportation company, a 

job that he will not be able to return to. His Medical Board is being processed and he will then be 

eligible for both Army Medical Retirement and Veterans benefits. 

Case 4 

SGT P is a 24-year-old married AD USA E5 who sustained penetrating wounds to his Left Arm, Left 

Ribs, and Left Leg in an Improvised Explosive Devise attack while in Iraq. Initially his wounds 

were treated in Kuwait and he was MEDEVAC to a European military medical center where he 

underwent surgery to repair a fractured left ulna bone in the summer 2003. 

SGT P was Air Evacuated and admitted to the General Surgery Service at a state side medical 

center. His recovery was uncomplicated and consisted of mostly rehabilitation and wound care. 

He was initially followed by General Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Orthopedics and was then 

discharged to Inpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) Service. While on the PMR 

Service, he progressed to ambulating hospital distances using a lofstrand crutch and was 

moderately independent with Activity of Daily Living. His pain was well controlled and he was 

discharged on Percocet 1-2 tabs every 4-6 hours, Motrin Tabs 600 mgm 3x per day as needed, and 

Ambien 10 mgm every night for sleep. 

SGT P was followed by the Preventive Medical Psychiatry Service in accordance with PMPS’s 

Operation Iraqi Freedom Protocol. The PMPS staff initially met with him and offered support to set 

the milieu to establish a therapeutic alliance with him. His initial request was for assistance with 

contacting his Command as he had not communicated with them since his injury and felt cut-off 

from his Unit. During his first week in the hospital, Ambien 10 mgm po at bedtime was ordered to 

assist with sleep problems. He subsequently reported that Ambien was only minimally helping 

with his sleep problems and he was now experiencing nighttime “sweats.” He denied 

experiencing any other arousal or intrusive symptoms and only endorsed limited avoidance of 

television news on OIF activities. PMPS staff discussed possible risks and benefits of starting 

Propranol 20 mgm nightly to limit sympathetic discharge activity. SGT P agreed and was started 

on Propranol 20 mgm at bedtime. Follow-up reports indicated that he was sleeping well and his 

autonomic hyperactivity had decreased. The use of pharmacotherapy interventions decreased his 

sleep disturbances and to be more open and responsive to psychotherapeutic interventions. PMPS 

staff also incorporated a combination of hypnotic and relaxation techniques to assist him with 

sleep and pain related problems. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helped him understand how his 

traumatic experience may have altered his thoughts and interpretations of events and what effect 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 91 Appendix A 

the altered perceptions had on his emotions and behaviors. PMPS staff also assisted him in 

working through feelings of anger and reinforcing his coping strategies, identifying his strengths 

and assets. 

The initial Post-Deployment Health Assessment Tool was completed during SGT P’s inpatient 

admission, approximately 16 days after his injury. At that time, he endorsed criteria for Major 

Depression and endorsed symptoms consistent with PTSD at the moderate level. 

Two months after admission, SGT P was discharged from the hospital and placed on convalescent 

leave. He had follow-up appointments in the Orthopedic and Vascular Clinics, Physical Therapy, 

and Preventive Medical Psychiatry. He stayed at base hotel for the duration of his outpatient 

therapy. 

PMPS staff followed SGT P on a regular basis during the course of the hospitalization and 

outpatient treatment, with visits ranging from 1-3 times per month. A combination of 

psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and CBT interventions was provided. Ambien and propranol were 

not needed after the initial discharge medications were issued. He was able to regain control over 

the intrusive and arousal symptoms that he had been experiencing as a result of his deployment 

experience. Psychotherapeutic interventions assisted him in understanding the effect that his 

thoughts were having on his emotions and behavior and resulted in a substantial decrease in his 

endorsement of depressive symptoms (from 16 to 3 on the Pfizer, Prime MD Scale). 

Soldiers are contacted either by telephone or in person at the time of follow-up and are assessed 

for PTSD, Depression, Alcohol Usage, Somatic Complaints, Days of Poor Physical and/or Mental 

Health, Lost Productivity, and Satisfaction with Health Care. At the 3-month PDHAT follow-up 

visit, SGT P endorsed a depressed mood but did not meet the full criteria for depression. He 

endorsed depressive symptoms at a level 12 (a score of 10 or above is of concern). PTSD 

symptoms were endorsed at a moderate level. Although, he reported 9 days of poor mental and 

physical health during the previous month, he only reported 2 days of lost productivity due to poor 

mental or physical health. He reported excellent satisfaction with his health care. At the 6-month 

PDHAT follow-up visit, he endorsed depressive symptoms at a level 3 and did not meet the criteria 

for depression. He endorsed mild intrusive symptoms but did not meet criteria for PTSD. 

SGT P has returned to a light duty status while he continues to recover from his injuries. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 92 Appendix B 

Appendix B. VA/DoD Practice Guideline 

The VA/DoD Practice Guideline may downloaded at 

http://www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/PTSD/PTSD_Base.htm and is located in PDF format on this CD. 

Table of Contents 

INTRODUCTION 

Guideline Working Group 

Key Points 

ALGORITHMS AND ANNOTATIONS 

Core Module: Initial Evaluation and Triage 

Module A1: Acute Stress Reaction (ASR) 

Module A2: Combat and Ongoing Operation Stress Reaction (COSR). 

Module B: Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 

Primary Care 

Module C: Management of PTSD in Mental Health Specialty Care 

INTERVENTION FOR TREATMENT OF PTSD 

A. Pharmacotherapy for ASD and PTSD 

B. Psychotherapy and Psychosocial Adjunctive Methods/Services 

APPENDICES 

Appendix A: Guideline Development Process 

Appendix B: Acronym List 

Appendix C: PTSD Screening Tools 

Appendix D: Participant List 

Appendix E: Bibliography 

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Appendix C. VA Documents on Service Provision
 


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Appendix D. Assessment of Iraq War Veterans:
 

Selecting Assessment Instruments and Interpreting Results
 

Eve Carlson, Ph.D. 

The Assessment section of this Guide discussed general challenges to assessment of veterans 

returning from Iraq and delineated suggested domains to assess and issues to consider in assessing 

those domains. This section will focus on suggested instruments to use as part of an assessment to 

decide what services to offer veterans and to plan psychological treatment. 

As indicated in the previous section, responses in the days and weeks following exposure to highly 

stressful events are highly variable across individuals and high levels of distress in the days and 

weeks following exposure do not reliably predict longer-term posttraumatic symptoms. Some, but 

not all, who meet criteria for Acute Stress Disorder two weeks after and event will later have 

PTSD, but some who do not meet criteria for ASD will also develop PTSD (Bryant & Harvey, 

2002). Since no measures of early responses have been found to reliably predict longer-term 

responses and since most of those exposed to extreme stressors recover within a month, 

assessment with measures of specific domains is not recommended during this period. This section 

will make suggestions, therefore, about selecting measures to assess veterans who have been home 

one month or more. 

Many of the domains discussed in the previous section can be adequately assessed during an 

interview without a specific self-report measure. These include current work functioning, current 

interpersonal functioning, recreation/self-care, physical functioning, and past distress and coping. 

For other areas, specific measures or questionnaires may be a useful way to gather detailed 

information about the veteran’s current psychological functioning and past experiences. Domains 

and potential measures are discussed below along with characteristics of veterans to consider 

when choosing measures. Sources of information about choosing, administering, and interpreting 

the results of measures of trauma exposure and responses include: Briere (1997), Carlson (1997), 

Solomon et al. (1996), and Wilson and Keane (1996). 

Psychological Symptoms 

PTSD symptoms. For many veterans, a diagnostic label may not be needed and may not facilitate 

treatment. In some circumstances, applying such a label may be counterproductive and 

undesirable to the veteran. A brief measure of PTSD symptoms can, however, be useful to get an 

idea of current PTSD symptoms a veteran might be having and to monitor treatment progress. A 

wide variety of brief measures of PTSD symptoms are available, and information about these 

(including contact information to obtain measures) can be found at: 

www.ncptsd.org/publications/assessment 

Additional information about measures of PTSD can be found in Briere (1997), Carlson (1997), 

Solomon et al. (1996), and Wilson and Keane (1996). 

For convenience, two brief measures are included in this appendix here: the Posttraumatic 

Checklist - Civilian (PCL-C) and the Screen for Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (SPTSS). Both are 

measures that do not key symptoms to a particular event since exposure to multiple events is 

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common and it is not clear that people can assign symptoms to events with any accuracy or that 

symptoms are, in fact, uniquely associated with particular events. The PCL-C is recommended 

rather than the PCL-Military because it is important to assess veterans’ responses to military and 

non-military traumatic events when assessing for treatment purposes. The SPTSS may be useful 

with veterans who have less formal education because it has a very low reading level. It may also 

be useful for veterans who are reluctant to report distress because it inquires about the frequency 

of symptoms rather than the degree of distress they cause. 

If assignment of a diagnostic label is required or desired, the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale 

(CAPS) (Weathers, Keane, & Davidson, 2001) can be used. Detailed information about this 

structured interview and how to obtain it are available at: 

http://www.ncptsd.org/publications/assessment/ncinstruments.html 

Dissociation. Dissociative symptoms are very common in trauma survivors, and they may not be 

spontaneously reported. The Trauma-Related Dissociation Scale (Carlson & Waelde, 2000), a 

measure of dissociation, is included in this appendix. 

Depression. Depression is a very common comorbid condition in those with posttraumatic 

disorders. It may be secondary to PTSD or associated with aspects of traumatic events such as 

losses. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) – Short Form is a common brief measure of 

depression and is included in the appendix (Beck & Steer, 2000). This measure is also available for 

computerized administration via DHCP at VA Medical Centers. 

Traumatic grief. Screen for Complicated Grief is a brief measure of symptoms of traumatic grief 

and is included in this appendix. Further details about the construct this screen measures can be 

found in Section VI of this Guide. 

Alcohol use. Substance use is a common problem for those with PTSD, particularly alcohol abuse 

and dependence. The AUDIT (Goldman, Brown, & Christiansen, 2000) is a screen for alcohol use 

that is included in this appendix. 

Other domains to assess and suggested measures: 

Anger. Anger is a frequent problem for trauma survivors and outbursts of anger is a symptom of 

PTSD. If a veteran reports problems with anger, detailed assessment of that area may be useful. 

The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAX-I) is measure of anger and how it is expressed 

(Spielberger, 1988). This measure may be useful to assess vets, although it is important to note that 

it is not ideal to assess recent, post-trauma anger because its trait form assesses both pre-trauma 

and post-trauma anger and its state form assesses feelings at the time of the assessment (which may 

not representative of the entire post-trauma period). 

Guilt and shame. Guilt and shame are frequently issues for trauma survivors who feel distressed 

over what they did or did not do at the time of trauma. Kubany et al. (1995) have developed a 

measure of guilt that may be useful to assess those with clinical issues in that domain. 

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Relevant History 

Exposure to potentially traumatic events. Because exposure to previous traumatic stressors may 

affect response to traumatic stressors experienced in the military, it is important to broadly assess 

exposure to traumatic stressors. The Trauma History Screen (Carlson, 2002), a brief assessment 

tool that can be used for that purpose, is included in this appendix. 

Selected scales within the Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory (DRRI; King, King, & Vogt, 

2003) may be used as a vehicle to identify particular combat and other high magnitude and 

threatening experiences that were potentially traumatic. Because the level of non-traumatic 

stressors and the overall context in which exposure to traumatic stressors occurs may affect the 

response to high magnitude stressors, it is important to assess these elements. Several scales from 

the DRRI (e.g., concerns about life and family disruptions, difficult living and working 

environment, war-zone social support) may prove useful to gain a broader profile of the 

deployment experience. Copies of the individual DRRI measures, scoring guides, and a full 

manual describing instrument development may be obtained by contacting 

dawne.vogt@med.va.gov. 

For women veterans. Because women who serve in the military may be exposed to a number of 

traumatic stressors that are not assessed in combat measures, specific assessment of military 

stressors is often helpful for women veterans. Life Stressors Checklist (Wolfe & Kimerling, 1997) is 

provided in this appendix for this purpose. 

References 

Beck, A.T., & Steer, R.A. (2000). Beck Depression Inventory. In Task Force for the Handbook of Psychiatric 

Measures (Ed.), Handbook of psychiatric measures (pp. 519-522). Washington, DC: American 

Psychiatric Association. 

Briere, J. (1997). Psychological assessment of adult posttraumatic states. Washington, DC: American 

Psychological Association. 

Bryant, R.A., & Harvey, A.G. (2002). Acute Stress Disorder: A synthesis and critique. Psychological Bulletin, 

128, 886-902. 

Carlson, E.B. (1997). Trauma assessments: A clinician’s guide. New York: Guilford Press. 

Carlson, E.B. (November, 2002). Challenges to assessing traumatic stress histories in complex trauma 

survivors. Paper presented at the Annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress 

Studies, Baltimore, MD. 

Carlson, E.B., & Waelde, L. (November, 2000). Preliminary psychometric properties of the Trauma Related 

Dissociation Scale. Paper presented at the Annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic 

Stress Studies, San Antonio, TX. 

Goldman, M., Brown, S., & Christiansen, B. (2000). Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (AEQ). In Task Force 

for the Handbook of Psychiatric Measures (Ed.), Handbook of psychiatric measures (pp. 476-477). 

Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. 

King, D.W., King, L.A., & Vogt, D.S. (2003). Manual for the Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory 

(DRRI): A collection of measures for studying deployment-related experiences in military veterans. 

Boston, MA: National Center for PTSD. 

Kubany, E.S., Abueg, F.R., Owens, J.A., Brennan, J.M., Kaplan, A.S., & Watson, S.B. (1995). Initial 

examination of a multidimensional model of trauma-related guilt: Applications to combat veterans and 

battered women. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 17, 353-376. 

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Solomon, S., Keane, T., Kaloupek, D., & Newman, E. (1996). Choosing self-report measures and structured 

interviews. In E. B. Carlson (Ed.), Trauma research methodology (pp. 56-81). Lutherville, MD: Sidran 

Press. 

Spielberger, C.D. (1988). Manual for the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory: STAXI. Odessa, FL: 

Psychological Assessment Resources. 

Weathers, F.W., Keane, T.M., & Davidson, J.R.T. (2001). Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale: a review of the 

first ten years of research. Depression and Anxiety, 156, 132-156. 

Wilson, J.P., & Keane, T.M. (Eds.). (1996). Assessing psychological trauma and PTSD. New York: Guilford 

Press. 

Wolfe, J., & Kimerling, R. (1997). Gender issues in the assessment of PTSD. In J. Wilson & T. M. Keane 

(Eds.), Assessing psychological trauma and PTSD (pp. 192-238). New York: Guilford. 

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Appendix E. Program Evaluation 

Robert Rosenheck, M.D. and Alan Fontana, Ph.D. 

Program Evaluation can play an important role in the development and maintenance of new 

programs by providing: (1) valuable feedback, not otherwise available to program developers, and 

(2) accountability, and therefore legitimacy, to higher-level administrators. It may thus be of value, 

as we begin to provide services to a new generation of war-zone veterans from the Iraq conflict, to 

implement program evaluation strategies early in the course of program development. 

The strategies employed may vary substantially depending on the availability of data collection 

resources and the analytic skills and capabilities of staff in the involved clinicians’ units. We 

review program evaluation methods at several levels of intensity that may be appropriate for 

clinical programs developed to address the as yet unknown psychological adjustment problems of 

returning veterans of the Iraq war. 

At a minimum, statistics should be gathered on the numbers of veterans presenting for services, the 

dates of their initial request for help, the dates of their first contact, the total number of contacts 

and the dates of their final contact. With such basic data on access and continuity of care it is 

possible to identify problems in providing services in a timely manner or with premature 

termination – either of which could potentially signal unacceptability or ineffectiveness of the 

treatment regimen being offered. 

A second level of program evaluation, that would also require only limited resources, is to conduct 

satisfaction surveys. It is possible to obtain standard satisfaction measures such as the Client 

Satisfaction Questionnaire (Attkisson & Greenfield, 1996) which has versions ranging from 8 to 30 

items and can be administered either at a standard, fixed point in treatment, for example after one 

month, or at the time of termination. Such a questionnaire will allow assessment of whether 

veterans who terminate early were dissatisfied in specific ways with their treatment and whether 

those who completed treatment felt they had been well served. 

A third level of assessment would require additional resources and analysis but would yield also a 

richer set of information. At this third level specific questionnaires would be administered to 

document the sociodemographic characteristics, military history, and clinical characteristics of 

patients when they enter treatment. Through the use of such measures it would be possible to: (1) 

obtain more detailed information on the status and needs of veterans being served, (2) compare 

them with other veterans who are being treated with PTSD, such as those reported in the Long 

Journey Home Series (Fontana et al., 2001), and (3) to link these data with satisfaction and 

continuity data as described above. Thus it would be possible to identify which kinds of veterans 

in particular are least satisfied with treatment or are most prone to early drop-out, and therefore 

whose treatment needs the most intensive attention. 

The fourth level of program evaluation involves the collection of periodic outcome data in 

addition to base-line intake data. Forms similar to those used in the base-line assessment can be 

administered at follow-up, either at regular intervals such as at 4, 8 and 12 months after entry into 

outpatient treatment (Rosenheck et al., 1996), or at the time of conclusion of inpatient treatment, 

or both (Fontana & Rosenheck, 1997). Such data would allow one to determine the amount of 

improvement observed with the treatment in question, as well as to identify subgroups of veterans 

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for whom treatment is either especially effective or problematic and for whom new treatment 

modalities may need to be implemented or developed. The more intensive levels of program 

evaluation, while yielding the most useful information, also require the most extensive resources, 

especially in staff time to administer and collate the data, but also in terms of the analytic skills 

needed to make full use of the data. A set of PTSD evaluation forms for inpatient treatment is 

currently being used to evaluate specialized intensive VA PTSD programs and is available from the 

Northeast Program Evaluation Center. Another set of PTSD evaluation forms, appropriate for 

outpatient clinic use, is being developed by the Northeast Program Evaluation Center and the 

National Center for PTSD and other VA colleagues and current drafts could be made available to 

interested VA staff. 

The Northeast Program Evaluation Center is happy to work with sites to identify the evaluation 

strategy most appropriate for them, to identify benchmark data from other VA program evaluations 

that can be used to compare data from these new service interventions, and to provide analytic 

consultation and support in making use of program evaluation as a tool for program improvement 

and performance monitoring. 

References 

Attkisson, C.C., & Greenfield, T.K. (1996). The Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) Scales and the 

Service Satisfaction Scales-30 (SSS-30). In L. Sederer & B. Dickey (Eds.), Outcomes assessment in clinical 

practice (pp. 120-127). Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins. 

Fontana, A., & Rosenheck, R.A. (1997) Effectiveness and cost of inpatient treatment of posttraumatic stress 

disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 154, 758-765. 

Fontana, A., Rosenheck, R., Spencer, H., & Gray, S. (2002). Long journey home X: Treatment of 

posttraumatic stress disorder in the Department of Veterans Affairs: Fiscal year 2001 service delivery and 

performance. West Haven, CT: Northeast Program Evaluation Center. 

Rosenheck, R.A., & Fontana, A.F. (1996). Treatment of veterans severely impaired by PTSD. In R.J. Ursano & 

A.E. Norwood (Eds.), Emotional aftermath of the Persian Gulf War (pp. 501-532). Washington, DC: 

American Psychiatric Press. 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 151 Appendix G 

Effective Brief Therapies 

A Clinician's Guide 

Micliel Ilersen rncl Maryka Biaggio 

SC/I(>,J/ ~!~~r~~Jks.vi(~l~l~/ P.YJ"L~~/(I~J~

Pocjfic U~~i~~ev.sily 

Fum! Grove,0rqon 

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SanDicgo \'dBobins 

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DEPARTMENT OF 

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VETERANS AFFAIRS 

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NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide - 152 Appendix - G 

CHAPTER 

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 

Terencejkl. KP(IIIC, c,Anr~. E Street, and Ilol(v K. Or&

i\krti~rnrl C~'lrler.ji)r P~~stlr(l~rr~ll(rli~S/~~s.s Dis0r0~. 

KA. BO.V~NI Healtl~cr~re Sl!sler~t

Rosrm.hI~~~.~(~cl~r~.$erts 

Case Descripliou 

Trculn~cnf ConccplualizPtion 

lssess~ncnl 

Trenlmrnt In~plemcntation 

Concurrent Diagnoscs and 'l'realn~ent 

Complications and .li'ercamlenf Implications 

Derlieg~~;flt,Managed Care and ..Ac~~~nlabilily 

Outcon~r anrl Follorv-lJp 

Dcaliug with Reciclivisnl 

Summary 

Rcfc~.cnccs 

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140 TERENCP M. YSANE d nl. 

CASE DESCRIPTION: THE CASE OF MR. G. 

A 58 year-old African-American male,Mr. G. was the married father of 

three children who worked successfully for 28 years as a janitorial staff 

member for arailway systemin theNortheastemunited States.His three 

children were adults, professionally traineci and living on their own. Often 

workingthe latenight shif?,Mr. G. was confrontedone night by a stranger 

who entered a train car that he was cleaning. Following a short conversational exchange, the young man left the car. About 20 minutes later, Mr. G. 

finished that car and was proceeding to break for his eveningmeal when 

the stranger appeared from a dark comer bearing a bife and demanding 

money M.G. panicked, handed over his wallet, and attempted to rn 

from his assailant. He was overtaken a few moments later, thrown to the 

ground, stabbedrepeatedly and left for dead.& he lay onthe ground,Mr. 

G. felt his life ebbing away and he thought he was goingto die alone and 

in a cold dark place. 

Some days later, Mr. G. awakened following extensive life-sa~g 

surgery. His physical recovery was slow and painfuZ and he required 

several subsequent surgical procedures to correct features of his wounds. 

Ten weeks later he attempted toreturntohis work site. He felt anxiousand 

fearful, and approached his work with a sense of dread. During his fust 

night, he felt panicky and was preoccupied with fears of another attack. 

He went home early in his shift and that night began to drink extensively 

in order torelax. Hereturned to work thenext evening and could only stay 

a short time due to overwhehlling feelingsof anxiety. His disability grew 

over time, and he felt incapacitated and unable to work. This pattern 

continued, and he eventually decided he could no longer hold hisjob. 

Approximately a year following the event, Mr. G.'s daughter sought 

psychological assistance for her father. The initial examination was conducted in his home, after several appoinhnents were broken due to his 

inability to travel. On examination, it was clear that Mr. G.met criteria for 

diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse.He reportednightmares recapitulating the attack, 

a preoccupation with the assault and how it had affected every phase of 

his life, a lack of interest in anythmg and anyone, alienation fromhis wife 

and family difficulties concentrating, avoidance of television and news 

media due to the presence of violence, unsuccessll efforts to avoid 

thoughts and images of the event, and disruption of his sleep and sexual 

functioning. Further, he reported being irritable and short-tempered with 

others, personality and behavioral features that emerged only after the 

attack and about which he felt tremendous guilt. 

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POSlTRAUMATiC STRESS DLSORDER 141 

TREATMENT CONCEPTUALIZATION 


An information processing framework, which grows out of Lang's (1979) 

bio-informational theoly of emotion, has been widely used to understand 

the development of anxiety disorders. Lang's theory focuses on the role of 

fear in the development and maintenance of these disorders. He has suggested that emotions, including fear, are represented in memory in network form. These "fear networks" store memory representations of anxiety-provokingevents.Fearnetworkscontainthree irnportantelements: (1) 

information about the feared stimuli, or elements of the feared situation; 

(2)information about the person's response to the feared stimuli or feared 

situation; and (3)infomation about the meaning of the feared stimuli and 

the consequentresponse. In the case of MG, the fear network that stores 

the representation of his assault includes information about the feared 

stimuli (young man, knife, robbery threatening gestures and words, the 

workplace), the consequent response (I bze, I gave him my money I 

panicked) and meaning elements (I'm going to die, I'!l never see my wife 

again, Pm weak and helpless). Anxiety disorders develop when fear networks become pathological.While anonpathological fearnetwork consists 

of realistic connections between elements, a pathological fear network 

consists of erroneous connections that do not truly represent the state of 

the world or that overstate associations or probabilities. For example, in 

the case of Mr. G, a realistic association exists between the stimulus 

("stranger holding a knife in a threatening manner") and the meaning 

element ("I'm in danger"). In reality, a threatening stranger wielding a 

large hife does indicate danger. However, M. G's fearnetwork also contains several erroneous associations. For example, his pathological fear 

network consists of erroneous connections between the stimulus ("the 

place where Iwork") and the meaning element C'I'm in danger3').Inreality 

thispart ofthe stimulusisnot directlyrelevant tothe dangerousnessof the 

situation. Other pathologicalconnections existbetween stimulus elements 

(e.g., "young man" and "knife") and between response and meaning elements (e.g., "I panicked and ran," and "I'm weak and helpless").The fear 

network can be activated by relevant stimulus, response, or meaning elements (orby a degradedmatchof one of the elements -e.g., seeingaman 

whose appearance is similar to that of the assailant). The fear network is 

more easily and frequently activated when it consists of many erroneous 

connectionsamong stimulus,response, and meaning elements. 

Expanding Lang's bic-informational theory of emotionspecificallyto 

the study of PTSD, Foa and Kozak (1986)have posited that the fear networks of traumatized individuals differ both quantitatively and qualita- 

... . ,.... .... . .... . . . 

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142 TERENCE M. KEANEel ol 

tively from the fearnetworks of individuals with other anxiety disorders. 

These authors suggest that for traumatized individuals the size dthe fear 

network is larger (the network contains a greater number of erroneous 

connections), the network is more easily activated, and the affective and 

physiological response elements cf the network are more intense. Most 

PTSD symptoms can be conceptualized as excessive response elements. 

Stirnulireminiscent of the traumatic experience activate the fear network 

and prompt states of high sympathetic arousal (e.g., increased heart rate, 

blood pressure, sweating, generalized muscle tension)and intense feelings 

of fear and anxiety. Fear-related behavioral acts like avoidance/escape 

behaviors and hypervigilance can also be conceptualized as excessive 

responseelements.Reexperiencingsym~tomscanbeunderstoodbyexamining state-dependent memory effects. Specifically the autonomicarousal 

that accompaniesmood is related to how memories are stored. Thisprimes 

retrieval d affective memory: when individuals are afraid, they are more 

likely to recall fear-associated memories. 

These pathological fearnetworks, and the related behavioral, cognitive, and affective symptoms, disrupt normal emotional processing of the 

trauma, as well as disrupting mood. interpersonal relationships. and occupational functioning.Exposure-basedtreatments are designedto facilitate 

emotionalprocessing of the traumatic experience, thereby reducingm 

symptomatology. Processing the traumatic experience requires two conditions. First, the traumatized individual must have access to the emotional 

material. That is, they must respond in a way that is affectively similar to 

the way they responded during the feared situation. Second, while in this 

state, the individual must be exposed to corrective (n0nfear)information. 

If both of these conditions are met, exposure-based treatments reduce 

YlW symptoms in a number of different ways. First, these treatments 

decrease avoidance behaviors. Over time, the traumatized individual 

learns that escape and avoidance are not the only way to manage the 

negative affectivity associated with memories of the experience. Aeer 

several exposure sessions, during which escape from aversive stimuli is 

prevented, the individual begins to habituate to the emotionally laden 

material. Memories of the experience diminish in their capacity to create 

distress. Finally the pathological fear network is fundamentally altered. 

That is, connections between elements that should not be connected are 

modified and new connections and associations ~IBmade. Exposuretreatments provide a corrective learning experience, allowing traumatized individuals to reinterpret the meaning of a negative situation. This more 

cognitive change is frequently a functionof the patient's own efforts, but 

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~S~UMA~C STRESSDISORDER 143

occasionally it is the result of a synthesis created by the patient-therapist 

interactions. 

ASSESSMENT 

Mr. G. was assessed using multiple methods: a semistructured clinical 

interview to evaluate the presence and absence of axis I and IIdisorders, a 

structured clinical interview developed specifically to assess PTSD, self-report questionnaires for PTSD and comorbid conditions, a clinicalinterview 

with Mr. G's spouse, and a review ofhis medical records. In complicated 

cases in which the diagnosis is unclear, psychophysiological assessment 

and additional information from collateral sources may prove valuable. 

The use of multiplemethods to assess F'TSD has severalbenefits. Individuals may respond differently to different methods. For example, some individuals may disclose more distress on a self-report questionnaire, while 

others may feel more comfortable in the context of an interview and so 

providemore accurate information. Theuse of multiple methods increases 

the likelihood of capitalizing on the best method to obtain info~mation 

from any given individual. In addition, each assessment method has 

strengths and weaknesses. Clinical interviews rely more heavily on clinicianjudgment than self-reportmeasures (a disadvantageof clinical interviews)but allow more flexibilityin follow-up and clarification (an advantage of clinical interviews). Theuse of multiple methods aids inbalancing 

the relative strengths and weaknesses of eachmethod 

A clinical interview in the context of an assessment for PTSD focuses 

on pretrauma functioning, information about the traumatic event(s),and 

posttraunlatic functioning. Functioning prior to the trauma is critical in 

order to determineposttrauma changesin functioning.Areasof pretrauma 

functioning to assess include family composition and relationship with 

family members, family history of psychopathology/substanceuse,pretrauma stressors and their impacts (e.g., deaths, injuries, accidents, and 

abuse), and educational, occupationa1,relationship(i.e., peers and dating), 

legal, substance use, medical, and sexual histories. 

When obtaining information about the client's trauma history, the 

clinician is advised to proceed slowly and create a safe interpersonal 

context for discussing sensitivematerial. A general framework for conducting a clinical history containing braumatic material would focus on the 

pretrauma period, the details of the traumaticevent, and the impact that 

the event had on the individual across multiple domains of functioning. 

Specifically assessment of the traumatic experience involves gathering 

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144 T!2RENCE M. KEANe sl al. 

information about events immediately preceding the trauma, the traumatic event itself (i.e., Criterion Aevent inDSM-N), the person's response 

to the event (what was seen, heard, and felt, as well as the cognitions, 

motor behavior, and physiological responses that accompanied the experience), a description of events immediately following the trauma (e.g., 

responses of self and others), and the meaning of the trauma for the 

survivor. 

Assessment of posttrauma functioning includes information about 

presenting complaints and FED symptomatology comorbid diagnoses 

(especiallysubstanceabuse,depression,panic disorder, borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder), additional stressors 

since the index bauma and subsequent coping behaviors, previous treatment history, sources of support and client strengths, lethality (risk to self 

as well as others), and changes in hctioning following the trauma in a 

number of areas(e.g., occupational/educational/social,legalstatus,medical status, and sexual behavior).Assessment of pre- and posttrauma history may be significantly more difficult, and perhaps even arbitrary, for 

individuals with a history of multiple traumas. In these cases, a thorough 

trauma history and assessment of symptomatology and functioning 

throughout the life-span would prove useful. 

Although structured assessment strategies (e.g., structured clinical 

interviews, self-report questionnaires) are extremely useful in the assessment of PTSD, a review of suchstrategies and their psychometric properties is beyond the scope of this chapter. Newrnan el al. (1997) provide a 

comprehensive review of these methods and their psychomekic properties. 

TREAm IMPLEMENTATION 

Astructured diagnostic assessment comprised the first phase of treatment. 

This consisted of a clinical history, a diagnostic interview, and psychological questionnaires accompanied by a meeting with his spouse. Treatment 

for Mr. G. began with a contract to restrict all alcoholuse as a requirement 

for treatment. He and his wife agreed to notify the therapist in the event 

that drinking continued to be a problem. A period of psychoeducation 

about the impact of traumatic events and PTSD ensued. We emphasized 

the psychological, interpersonal, and biological effectsof PTSD.Mr. G.was 

deeply impressed by the simple fact that other people had experienced 

these symptoms, that there was a name for the condition, and that there 

were treatments specifically available for PTSD. 

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POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER 145 

He was then taught progressive muscle relaxation and diaphragmaticbreathing. It took severalsessiom for him tomaster these skills, even 

with the use of daily homework sessions accompanied by an audiotape of 

the relaxation exercises. Following ths, six sessionsof imaginal desensitization containing key elements of the traumatic event were conducted. 

These sessions specified the details of the experience, the patient's realtime emotional and behavioral reactions to the event, and his thoughts 

about the experience and its aitermath. 

The next phase of the treatment was in-vivoexposure whereby he and 

the therapist went to the railway yard, sat across from the station on a 

bench, and processed his emotional reactions to being at the scene of the 

traumatic event. As he described the experience and verbalized his reao 

tiom, he was initially overcome with anxiety and emotion, clyingvisibly. 

The second session showed marked improvement in his reactions and he 

proceeded to walk the therapist to the site of the assault. Successivesessionsrevealed that adifferentperspectiveontheevent was developing and 

that he was coping and managing his fear, dread, and stress in fundamentally different ways. His cognitive appraisals of the assailant changed, as 

did hisview of himself. No longer did he feel decimated as the victim of 

an uncaring criminal, but rather he felt that he was a survivor. 

CONCURRENTDIAGNOSESAND TREAm 

FED, a conditionthat ishighly comorbid with anumber of diagnoses,has 

been strongly associated with disorden such as Substance-Related Disorden, Panic Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Borderline Persomlity Disorder (see Keane & Kaloupek, 1997, for a review of the comorbidity 

in FEDliterature).?hus, treatment of PTSD will oilen involve decisions 

about the treatment of other axis I and II disorders. Specifically, clinicians 

must decide if the ancillary disorders are best treated concurrently or if 

treatment should proceed sequentially. For instance, in the case of Mr. G., 

substance abuse and depression coexisted with FTSD. Moreover, Mr. G. 

had panic symptoms that restricted him to his home at the beginning of 

treatment. Decisions about the interdependenceofthese conditionsneeded 

to be made. Did these disordersprecede, follow, or develop concomitantly 

with the PTSD? The clinicalhistory implied that they certainly developed 

afterthe traumatic incident, and it was likely that the FTSD preceded the 

development of these other conditi0ns.M concluded that these disorders 

were secondiuy to the PTSD and decided to treat FTSD first. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 

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146 TERENCE M. KEANEd al. 

A concurrent diagnosis of substance abuse raises a number of challenging issuesin the treatment of PTSD. Because ofthe complex interaction 

that exists between these disorden, there isno clear consensus about how 

to proceed in treating PTSD and wmorbid substance abuse. Because expcsure therapy frequently results in temporarily increasedurges to use substances, it can be argued that treabnent forPTSD shouldnot proceed until 

sobriety is fmly established. It is also the case, however, that substance 

use may follow directly from F'TSD symptomatologyas a means of coping 

(i.e., self-medication),and a decrease in substanceuse may not occur until 

the patient experiences a decrease inPTSD symptomatology. 

Treabnent planning with comorbid substance abuse and PTSD re 

quires consideration of multiple factors. It iscritical to assess the patient's 

level of motivation to stop usinglmaintaining sobriety as controversy 

exists about conducting exposure therapy with individuals who are actively using substances. It is important to understand the relationship 

between substance use and FTSD symptomatology, specifically whether 

substances are used to cope with PISD symptomatology and whether 

PTSD symptomatology has triggered relapses for the patient. If one 

chooses to begin the clinical interventions with the treatment of PTSD, 

carell monitoring of any changes in alcohol and drug use is essential. 

Receiving this feedback on a session-by-sessionbasis informs the clinician 

of the impact of treatment on this critical comorbid problem. Initiating 

treatment with abehavioral contract limiting the use of substancesduring 

treatment is strongly recommended. Inaddition, patients with longstanding substance abuse problemsmight well be encouraged tomake frequent 

use of commdtyresources (e.g., AA/NA) aspart of treatmentplanning. 

It may also be necessary to establisha separate provider to treat substance 

abuse; this treatmentmight actually precede the F'TSD treatment and be a 

condition for future work on the effects of traumatic experiences. Finally 

if patients are deemed too "high risk" for exposure treahent due to 

relapse risk, it is recommended that nontrauma-focused treabnents, such 

as stressmanagement, anger management, and other current-focused wpingmethods, be provided to lay the groundworkfor exposure-basedtreatment. 

Panic disorder or panic attacks also occur concurrently with PTSD. 

When this is the case, exposure-based treatmentsmay be augmented with 

muscle relaxation and breathing retraining, two essential skills in the treatment of panic attacks. When conducting exposure therapy with patients 

who have panic attacks, it is important to prepare the patient for the 

possibility that exposureexercises could lead to the occurrence of a panic 

attack. Preparing them for this possibilityby instructingthem in the use of 

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DEPARTMEhT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIOhAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
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~osrnu~~nc STRESS DISORDER 147

various coping strategiesto utilize during a session will aid in prevention 

ofpanic attacks or in a reduction of the severity of in-session reactions. At 

the conclusionof exposure treatment, cliniciansare encouraged to reassess 

panic symptomatology and make decisions about the need for additional 

treatment focused on panic symptoms. Some therapists actually incorporate componentsof panic control interoceptive training in order to prepare 

PrSD patients for the reactions attendant with the use 6prolonged exposure. Efforts to improve the personal control that apatient feels during the 

exposure phase of treatment are welcome and will undoubtedly enhance 

the ability of the patient to emotionally process the traumatic experience. 

Individuals with PTSD often report a number of depressive symptoms. In addition, there is some overlapin the criteria for PTSD andMajor 

Depression, (e.g., anhedonia, concentration problems, and sleep disturbance). Treatment of PTSD may be effective in alleviating depressive cognitions and affect related to the trauma. Following successfulPTSD treatment, however, it may be necessary to treat any remaining depressive 

features. Specialattentionto depressivesymptomsmay be fundamental to 

the maintenanceof any treatment gains secondruyto the PTSDtreatment; 

cognitive-behavioral treatments, interpersonal psychotherapy, and psychopharmacologicaltreatmentsall have considerable empirical support 

for improving depression. 

Borderline Personality Disorder is also associated with RSD, primarily because of the role of early childhood trauma in the development 

of both disorders. Clinical decisions about treating PTSD in the context of 

Borderline Personality Disorder involve careful assessment of current and 

past parasuicidal behavior. Exposure therapy may not be the best choice 

for some patients due to the risk of increased parasuicidalbehavior. When 

treatment of parasuicidal behaviors are a priority, an approach such as 

Linehan's (1993)Dialectical Behavior Therapy might be considered, as it 

fmt targets reduction of parasuicidal behavior before processing of traumatic material. 

In terms of our case example, Mr. G. met criteria for Alcohol Abuse 

and Major Depression, both of which developed following his assault. 

Treabnent of his alcohol abuse was initiated by the use of a behavioral 

contract among the therapist, the patient, and his wife. A rationale for 

remaining sober was highlighted in the fust sessions. In particular,Mr. G. 

was forewarned of the temptation to resume drinking as we attempted to 

help him master the memories of the traumatic event. Drinking was 

viewed as an escape or avoidance behavior that simply made his situation 

worse, as it did not permit appropriate emotional processing of the experience and his reactions to it. Further, drinking itself created new problems 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
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148 TERENCE M.KFANE et 01. 

for him emotionally maritally interpersonally and physically. While he 

admitted the urge to resume drinking duringthe early parts of treatment, 

Mr. G recognized the problems associated with his heavy alcohol consumption and was compliant with the contract. 

COMPLICATIONS AND TREATMENT IMPLICATIONS 

Returningto the scene cf a traumatic experience, whether in vivo or irnaginally is an intense and difficult experience for a patient with PTSD. Reexperiencing, avoidancelnumbing, and hyperarousal, the defining symptom cf PTSD,engender behaviors that interfere with facing the trauma 

directly. The feelings of intense anxiety that often accompany exposure 

exercises make treatment difficult, and can increase the patient's level of 

distress, suicidal ideation, and maladaptive coping behaviors, such as 

substance abuse. Given the possibility that PrSDsymptomatologyand 

distress will get worse before they get better, it is important that the 

clinician ensure that the patient is relatively stable and safe prior to beginning exposure treatment. Second, a clear and convincing rationale with 

examples is key to educating the patient regarding the goals, objectives, 

and benefits of this treatment. Facing the trauma directly can be such a 

painful process for patients that it requires special effort on the part of the 

clinician to ensure treatment compliance and prevent dropout. The clinician must approach treatment flexibly carefully monitoring what the patient can tolerate and at what pace to proceed. Etrating the dose of exposure and the patient's capacity to tolerate that exposwe is one of the 

requisite skills for treating PTSD,as it is for treating many other anxietymediated conditions. 

Many of the difficulties inherent in exposure treatment can be 

avoidedby maintaininga collaborativetherapeuticrelationshipand allowing the patient a sense of control over the process of treatment. Important 

psychoeducational groundwork is critical to the successof exposure treatment. For example, the clinician should provide the patient with a sound 

treatment rationale, particularly regarding the role of avoidance in maintaining PTSD symptomatology. In addition, predicting a brief symptom 

increase, and assuring the patient that this is an expected part of treaiment, 

may help to decrease the patient's feelings cf distress. Greater treatment 

compliance can be gained by beginning with imaginal exposure exercises, 

which are offen perceived as less threatening by the patient, and then 

moving on to in-vivo exposure exercises. Validation and encouragement 

from the therapist during exposure exercises is also extremely important 

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 

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POSITRAUMATICSTRESSDISORDER 149 

(e.g., "I know that was really hard but you stuck withit; that's great").The 

intense distress associated with exposure exercises can also be decreased 

by teaching the patient anxietymanagement skills, such asmuscle relaxation and deep breathing techniques, prior to beginning exposure treatment. These skills will not only help to manage the patient's intense 

anxietybut will alsoprovide the patient with an important copingstrategy 

and a greater sense of control. While anxiolytic medication can also be 

prescribed to help control the symptomsof anxiety such medicationscan 

interfere with exposure exercises. If these medications must be used, they 

should be avoided immediatelybefore and aker exposure exercisesso that 

themedicationsdonot disrupt thenatural process of extinctionto anxietyprovoking stimuli. Further, if a patient is prescribed a psychoactive medication, it is valuable for the clinician to assist the patient in making appropriate attributions for the success of behavioral exercises. Attributing 

success to the medicationsundermines the Future progress of an individual, as the changes are ascribed to an external agent rather than to the 

individual. 

Emotional numbing, which is often conceptualized as an extreme 

form of avoidance,caninterferewithapatient's abilityto accessemotioual 

reactionsto the traumaticmaterial, animportant conditionof the exposure 

exercise. Prior to beginning exposure, the clinician may wish to help those 

patients who are disconnected &om their emotionsleam to identify and 

label their emotional reactions. Emotional numbing may be particularly 

problematic during imaginal exposure exercises when patients have a 

greater ability to defend against the emotional material by distancing 

themselves from the memory. The intensity of the emotional experience 

can be increased by having the patient closehis eyes, speak in the fust-personpresent tense, and provide agreat deal of sensory detail. In these cases, 

the clinician should query specifically for emotional content during the 

exposure exercise. 

In addition to the difficultiesrelated to the intensity of the treatment, 

the clinician often experiences logistical problems during exposure treatment. In some cases, such as that of a Vietnam combat veteran, it may be 

difficult or impossible to return to the scene of the trauma for an in-vlvo 

exposure exercise. This treannent requires creativity in designing exposures as well as flexibility regarding session location and session length. 

The therapist must plan on allowing time for the patient's anxiety and fear 

to decrease before the session ends. While exposure therapy is almost 

always an intense experience for patients, it can also be a very intense 

experience for clinicians. The clinician may be reluctant to enter a treatment that generates such intense emotions and that requires repeatedly 

listening to storiesthat canhe quitehomfic. Appropriatesupervision/conDEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
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Iraq War Clinician pGuide 163 Appendix C 

150 ?ERENCEM.KEANE 0 nl 

sultation and frequent debriefmgs are a necessity in helping clinicians to 

cope with their own reactions to trauma-related therapy. 

DEALING WITH MANAGED CARE 

AND ACCOUNTABILITY 

We now live in an age of managed care. Themanaged care reality affects 

many (if not most) cliniciansand holds significant implications for clinical 

practice. Thevirtue of the managed weenvironmentis that it requiresthat 

patientsbe provided with treatment servicesthat are known to be effective 

(ie., empirically validated trealments). Additionally this environment requires that patients not be kept in treatment longer thannecessary. Therefore, it is important that clinicians be competent in brief or time-limited 

therapy and for them to engage in ongoing assessmentof apatient's status. 

The demands of managed care alsorequire that aspecifiedtreatment result 

in improvement for aparticular patient within a reasonableperiod of time 

or the treatment must be changed. In the age of managed care, more than 

ever before, clinicians are required to demonstratequality services that are 

also cost-effective. Clinicians must justdy that their services are effective 

and that these services enhance clinical outcomes. Apriority is placed on 

effective treatments that can be provided in an efficientmanner with high 

levels of patient satisfaction. 

Exposure-based treatments meet many of the demands of managed 

care. These treatments have been empirically validated and shown to be 

effective in reducing PTSD symptoms, as well assymptomscfmany other 

psychological disorders (see Keane, 1998, for a review). The empirically 

validatednature of the treatment appealstomanaged care companiesand 

can aid clinicians in defending their treatment decisions. Additionally the 

orientation of most exposure-based treatments is brief, symptom-focused, 

and designed to improve functioning. These treatments can be effective 

within the constraints of the time-limited therapy model required by managed care companies. Lange et a/. (1988)reported that 63% of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) have a 2@visit maximum for outpatient 

mental health services. In most cases of noncomplicated PTSD, 20 visits 

should be sufficient to complete aprogram of exposuretherapy. We believe 

that effective assessment and treatment of PrSDrequires 12 sessions at a 

minimum. However, many patients will begin to exhibit improvements in 

symptomatology and functioning after a few exposure sessions, providing 

important data that clinicians can use to justify continued treatment, if 

necessq. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
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POSIXUUMATIC SIRES DISORDER 151 

In additionto findingbrief, effectivemodels forbehavior change, the 

demands of managed care programs require that clinicians be more ao 

countable for their servicesthan at any time in the past. While the requirements for time-limited treatment may generate pressure for a quick diagnosis, clinicians are encouraged to still complete a thorough assessment. 

Using well-validated measures for assessment and follow-up of FTSD 

symptomatology(seeNewmanetaL, 1997,for athoroughreview)provides 

an opportunity to demonstrate that the patient has made broad-based 

progress in symptoms and functioning. Including measures that assess 

depressive symptomatology and substanceuse/abuse can alsobe heneficial, as these symptomsmay also show improvement following exposurebased treatments for FTSD. Progress reports, generallyrequired by HMOs, 

demand a well-considered treatment plan includingoperationalized goals 

that are concrete, specih, and focused on symptomimprovement. Treatment goals for exposure-basedtreatments might highlight the ways in 

which PrSD symptomatology interferes with performance in multiple 

areas, including occupational and social functioning, and physical health 

status. In addition to these progress reports, session content needs to be 

wen-documented, as some HMOs can and will demand treatment records 

to ensure that cliniciansare followingtreatment guidelines. W~thregard to 

exposure treahnent, session notes could include the patient's ongoing 

report of their "Subjectiveunits of Distress (SUDS)level" in response to 

exposurematerial or the use of a self-report measure of PTSD symptoms 

such as the PrSD Checklist in order to document improvement in level of 

distress within and across sessions. 

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP 

Mr. G .improved onmeasures of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after treatment. The wmbinationof anxiety management training with imaginal and 

in-vivo exposure resulted in improved functioning in his marriage and 

inte~yersonal relationships.Moreover, he kept his contract to not use alwhol throughoutthe intensivephasesof treaknent.At posttesting he didnot 

meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD, depression, or alcohol abuse. These 

changes were maintained over a 1-yearperiod. 

Vocationally Mr. G was ready to return to work in some capacity. He 

was clear that he did not wish to return to the same shifi and the same 

duties, as he felt these placed him at risk for another assault. There was a 

labor disagreement that ultimately led him to opt for retirement. Thus, he 

never did rehun to hisusual work. Rather, he acquirednumerous oddjobs 

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Appendix G 

152 TERENCE M.KEANE 4al. 

in his neighborhood that occupiedhis time and supplemented his income. 

This provided somejobrelated satisfaction. 

His wife and children all felt that he had sigruficantlyrecovered and 

that he was now able to contribute to the family in ways that he had not 

done since the assault. MI. G. himself felt much better about his ability to 

be with his family and friends and, most important13 to be with his 

grandchildren. While he couldnot yet forgivehis assailant for what he had 

done, Mr. G. accepted that violence is something that occurs in the lives of 

many people and that he needed to put this behind him and not allow it 

to govern the remainder of his life. 

DEALING~~~EI RECIDMSM 

For a significant minority of individuals, PTSD is best described as a 

chronic condition (see Keane el at., in press, for a review of the literature 

on the course of PTSD). Even among those for whom it is a chronic 

condition, PTSD symptomatology often charts a dynamic course, waxing 

and waning over time. Both the potential chronicity of PTSD and the 

fluctuatingsymptom picture can make it difficult to clearly define recidivism and, similarly to distinguishbetween remission and recovery. Syrnptom resurgence may be seen in reaction to anniversaries of the traumatic 

event or the occurrence of nontrauma-related sbessols such as medical 

illness, death of a loved one, unemployment, and relationship losses. Controversy exists as to whether or not episodes of increased symptomatology 

representnew discreteepisodesof PTSD or an endto aperiod ofremission. 

Given the possibility of symptom resurgence, we recommend that 

relapse prevention strategies be incorporated into the treatment of PISD. 

Whenpossible, cliniciansshould schedulebooster sessions, particularly at 

the time of anniversariesof traumaticevents. In addition, it may be helpful 

to educate patients about waning signs that treatment should be reestablished (e.g., periods of nightmares, increased urge to use substances, episodesof anger).EkcausePTSD symptomsoften interact in a multiplicative 

fashion (e.g., increased flashbacks may lead to avoidant behavior), early 

trealment of new or increased symptomatology may prove beneficial in 

limiting the extent of a relapse. 

The nature of a new treatment episode for PTSD will depend on the 

patient's presentation and reasons for reestablishing treatment. Has the 

patient experienced additional traumatic experiences that could benefit 

fromexposure therapy? If additional exposure therapy is not warranted, 

the patient may require assistance in coping with day-to-day symptoms& 

.- -.. --. .... .... -..,..&.-a. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERAhS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 166 Appendix C 

POS'ITRAUMATICSTNZSS DISORDER 153 

stress that may be exacerbatingsyrnptoms. Over time the symptom picture 

for PTSD tends to shift (i.e., reexperiencingsymptoms become less dominant as emotional detachment and estrangement symptoms become more 

dominant; McFarlane & Yehuda, 1997), and effective intervention strategies will be those that canaddress the patient's dominant symptoms at any 

given time. 

SUMMARY 

Some estimate the prevalence of PTSD in the United States at 6% of males 

and 12%d females (Kessler et al., 1995). Exposure to traumatic events is 

much higher: often estimated to be as high as 70%of the adult population 

(Norris, 1992).These findings place trauma and PTSD among the most 

frequent of psychological disorders, ranking behind substanceabuse and 

depression.Thus, the development of methods to assess and treat PTSD is 

a high priority amongthose concerned with public healthissues. Unforknately there are no reliable estimates of PTSD in developing countries, yet 

severalauthoritiessuggest that theprevalenceoflYEDmay well be higher 

in these countries due to the frequency of traumatic eventsand the absence 

of resources to buffer their effects (de Girolamo & McFarlane, 1997). 

Treament outcome studies for FEDare beginning to appear regularly in the scientific literature (Keane, 1998).Generally these studies examine the effects of anxiety management interventions, exposure therapy 

cognitive therapy and psychopharmacologicaI treatments. More recently 

combination therapies such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing(EMDR)havebeentested, withsomepositiveresults.1t isclear from 

these studies that interventions that directly address the symptoms of the 

disorder yield positive outcomes.Moreover, these outcomes transcend the 

level of symptom improvement and include functional domains as well. 

In the case of Mr. G., treatment included multiple phases. After a 

comprehensive assessment that utilized structured diagnostic inte~views 

for assessing ITD and other axis I and I1 disorders and psychological 

tests, treatment proceeded with a major psychoeducational intervention. 

This psychoeducation involved teaching Mr. G. about trauma and its impact on individuals,as well as its effects on work, marriage, and interpersonal relationships. Teaching specific anxiety management skills like 

breathing retraining and progressive muscle relaxation provided Mr. G 

with coping skills that he could use once the exposure treatments began. 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 167 Appendix G 

154 TERENCE M. KEANE el ni. 

Given the extent of his sy~lptomatology,we found it reasonable to 

approach the exposure phase of treahnent with Mr. G. by the initialuse of 

imaginal techniques. While Mr. G. found &is aspect of treahnent difficult, 

it did prepare i-dm for the even more trying phase of returning to the site 

of his victimization With the successful completion ofeach phase, he did 

gain a sense of mastery and efficacy that communicated to him that he 

could indeed overcome the fears and frightening images of his assault. 

These changes were accompanied by improvements in his substance 

abuse, depression, and his marital and interpersonalrelationships. Futher, 

Mr. G. was himself satisfied with the course of treatment that he received. 

REPElUiNCES 

de Girolamo, G.,&McFarlane, kC. (1997).The epidemiology of PTSD:A comprehensivereview of the international literature. In A. J. Marsella, M. J. Friedman, 

E. T Genity, & R M. Scurfield (Eds),Ethnocullural mpeclsofposnrnunrnlic streps 

diwrder: hes, rmarclr and cliriical nppliealioris (pp. 33-86). Washington DC: 

American PsychologicalAssociation 

Foa, E.B,& Kozak, M. 1.(1986). Emotionalprocessingof fa: Exposure to corrective info1rnation.PsyciiologicnIBuI1e1i1~, 9920-35. 

Keane, T. M. (1998). Psychological and behavioral treatments of post-traumatic 

stress disorder. In P. E. Nathan &J. M Gorman (Eds.),A guide lo lrealnierils llinf 

work(pp. 398-407). New Yo& Oxford University Press. 

Keane, T M,&Kaloupek, D. G. (1997). Comorbid psychiatric disorders in PTSD: 

Implicationsfor research InR. Yehuda &A. C. McFarhe(Eds.), P~yekobiology 

ifposlfmr~n~afic srrefs disorder. Amak of llie Nao York Acaden~y ofkiericer (VoL 

821, pp. 24-34). New Yo& New Yolk Academy of Sciences. 

Keane, T.M., Zimering, R. T,&Kaloupek, D.G. (inpress). Posttraumatic sbess 

disorder. Ink Bellack & Hersen (Eds.), Psycl~opalliologyin ndirltlimd: An 

adwrzed terl. Boston: Allyn &Bacon 

Kessler, R. C., Sonnega, A,, Brornet, E, Hughes, M.,&Nelson, C B. (1995). Posttraumatic stress disorder intheNationa1 CornorbiditySurvey.Arcl~iver6Gsiernl 

Psychiatry, 52,1048-1060. 

Lang, P. J. (1979).A bia-infomtionaltheory ofernotionalimage~y. Psyclopl~ysiology, 16,495-512. 

Lange, M., Chandler-Guy,C, Fo& R, Fostm-Moore, P., & Rohman, M. (1988). 

Providers' views of HMO mental health sewices.Pso1erap 25,=2. 

Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognilive-belra~~ioraIIrenlme,if qfborderlinepersonalify disorder 

New Yo& Guilford. 

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168 Appendix C 

POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER 155 

McFarlane,A. C,&Yehuda, R. (1997).Resilience, vulne~ability, and the course ct 

posteaumatioreactiom.InB.Van der KO&, A. McFarlane, &L. Weisaefh, (Eds.), 

Tmrinuticsfrers:Theeffelrofovenvhelnrin~ -. anerimeon themind. bodv. andmcielv. .~ 

New Yo& ~uilfordr 

Newman, E, Kaloupek, D. G, & Keane,T M. (1937).Assessment of posttraumatic 

s&essdisorderinc]inicalandresearchsetlings.1~B. Van der KO&, k McFarlane, 

& L. Weisaeih (Eds.), Tnrumaticstrers:The @emof ovenuhelming aperience on the 

mind, body, and sociely. New Ycdc Guilford 

Norris, E H. (1992). Epidemiology of &am: Frequency and impact of dlfferent 

potentially traumatic events on differentdemographio groups. Jounral6 Corrsullilrg and ClinicalPsychobgy, 60,409-418. 

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Iraq War Clinician Guide 189	 Appendix J 

Transition Assistance Information
 

for Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom Veterans
 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has maintained an active Transition Assistance Program 

and Disabled Transition Assistance Program (TAP/DTAP) throughout the United States and around 

the world. Since the implementation of TAP/DTAP through the original legislation (P.L. 101-237) 

and the legislation which expanded TAP/DTAP (P.L. 101-510) VA has provided benefit 

information to separating service members and their families. 

VA encourages all separating service members to contact their respective Transition Centers to 

determine when the VA Transition Assistance Briefings are scheduled. These briefings provide 

information which will help you make the transition to civilian life easier by identifying many of 

the VA benefits available to you. You may find the locations of the briefing sites through the 

Department of Defense transition portal web site. When the site comes up, click on the "At Your 

Service" link. Click on the Military Services Transition Assistance Locations link to locate the 

center nearest you. (http://www.dodtransportal.org/dav/lsnmedia/LSN/dodtransportal/) 

Links to Other Information 

� National Center for PTSD - The mission of the National Center for PTSD (Post Traumatic 

Stress Disorder) is to advance the clinical care and social welfare of Americas veterans 

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 190	 Appendix J 

WARZONE-RELATED STRESS REACTIONS: WHAT VETERANS NEED TO KNOW
 

A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet
 

Julia M. Whealin, Ph.D. 

Traumas are events in which a person has the feeling that he or she may die or be seriously injured 

or harmed, or events in which he or she witnesses such things happening to others or sees their 

effects. Traumatic events are of course common in the war zone, but they are common in the 

civilian world too, so that in addition to war zone experiences, many military personnel will have 

experienced one or more traumatic events in their civilian lives. 

When they are happening, traumas often create feelings of intense fear, helplessness, or horror for 

those who experience them. In the days and weeks that follow, they often create longer-lasting 

stress reactions that can be surprising, distressing, and difficult to understand. By understanding 

their traumatic stress re-actions better, Iraq War veterans can become less fearful of them and 

better able to cope with them. While reviewing the list of effects of trauma below, keep in mind 

several facts about trauma and its effects: 

•	 It is very common to have problems following exposure to war or other trauma. But traumatic 

stress reactions often become less frequent or distressing as time passes, even without 

treatment. 

•	 Veterans with PTSD often worry that they are going crazy. This is not true. Rather, what is 

happening is that they are experiencing a set of common symptoms and problems that are 

connected with trauma. 

•	 Problems that result from trauma are not a sign of personal weakness. Many mentally and 

physically healthy people experience stress reactions that are distressing and interfere with 

their daily life at times. 

•	 If traumatic stress reactions continue to cause problems for more than a few weeks or months, 

treatment can help reduce them. 

Traumatic war experiences may cause many of the following kinds of (often temporary) reactions 

in veterans: 

Unwanted remembering or “re-experiencing.” Difficulty in controlling distressing memories of 

war is experienced by almost all trauma survivors. Although these memories are upsetting, on the 

positive side, these memories mean that a person has a chance to make sense of what has 

happened in order to gain mastery over the event. The experience of these memories can include: 

unwanted distressing memories as images or other thoughts; feeling like the trauma is happening 

again (“flashbacks”); dreams and night-mares; and distress and physical reactions (e.g., heart 

pounding, shaking) when reminded of the trauma. 

Physical activation or “arousal.” The body’s “fight-or-flight” reaction to a life-threatening situation 

continues long after the event itself. It is upsetting to have your body feel like it is over-reacting or 

out of control. Again, on the positive side, these fight-or-flight reactions help prepare a person in a 

dangerous situation for quick response and emergency action. Signs of continuing physical 

activation, so common following participation in war, can include: difficulty falling or staying 

asleep; irritability, anger, and rage; difficulty concentrating; remaining constantly on the lookout for 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
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danger (“hypervigilance”); being startled easily, for example, when hearing a loud noise 

(“exaggerated startle response”); and anxiety and panic. 

Shutting down: Emotional numbing. When overwhelmed by strong emotions, the body and mind 

sometimes react by shutting down and becoming numb. The veteran may, as a result, have 

difficulty in experiencing loving feelings or feeling some emotions, especially when upset by 

traumatic memories. Like many of the other reactions to trauma, this emotional numbing reaction 

is not something the veteran is doing on purpose. 

Active avoidance of trauma-related thoughts and feelings. Painful memories and physical 

sensations of fear and activation can be frightening, so it is only natural to try and find ways to 

prevent them from happening. One way that most veterans try is to avoid anything – people, 

places, conversations, thoughts, emotions and feelings, physical sensations – that might act as a 

reminder of the trauma. This can be very helpful if it is used once in a while (e.g., avoiding 

upsetting news or television programs). But when it is used too much it can have two big negative 

effects. First, avoidance can reduce veterans’ abilities to live their lives and enjoy themselves, 

because they can become isolated and limited in where they can go and what they can do. 

Second, avoiding thinking and feeling emotions connected with the trauma may reduce veterans’ 

abilities to recover from it. It is through thinking about what happened, and particularly through 

talking about it with trusted others, that survivors may best deal with what has happened. By 

constantly avoiding thoughts, feelings, and discussions about the trauma, this potentially helpful 

process can be short-circuited. 

Depression. Most persons who have been traumatized experience depression. Feelings of 

depression then lead a person to think very negatively and feel hopeless. There is a sense of having 

lost things: one’s previous self (“I’m not the same person I was”), sense of optimism and hope, selfesteem, and self-confidence. With time, and sometimes with the help of counseling, the trauma 

survivor can regain self-esteem, self-confidence, and hope. It is important to let others know about 

feelings of depression, and of course about any suicidal thoughts and feelings that are sometimes 

part of feeling depressed. 

Self-blame, guilt, and shame. Many veterans, in trying to make sense of their traumatic war 

experiences, blame themselves or feel guilty in some way. They may feel bad about some thing(s) 

they did or didn’t do in the war zone. Feelings of guilt or self-blame cause much distress, and can 

prevent a person from reaching out for help. Therefore, even thought it is hard, it is very important 

to talk about guilt feelings with a counselor or doctor. 

Interpersonal effects. The many changes noted above can affect relationships with other people. 

Trauma may cause difficulties between a veteran and his or her partner, family, friends, or coworkers. The veteran who is experiencing high levels of irritability and anger may now have more 

conflicts with others and handle them less well. Particularly in close relationships, the emotional 

numbing and feelings of disconnection from others that are common after traumatic events may 

create distress and drive a wedge between the survivor and his or her family or close friends. 

Avoidance of different kinds of social activities by the survivor may frustrate family members. 

Sometimes, this avoidance results in social isolation that hurts relationships. Some kinds of 

traumatic experiences (e.g., sexual assault) can make it hard to trust other people. Friends and 

family may respond in ways that worsen the problem rather than help recovery. They may have 

difficulty understanding, become angry with the veteran, communicate poorly, and/or fail to 

provide support. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
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Becoming more aware of trauma reactions and how to cope with them can help survivors reduce 

the harm they cause to relationships. Just as the veteran needs to learn about trauma and its effects, 

so other people who are important to him or her will need to learn more. Partners and families 

need to participate in treatment. By learning more about traumatic stress, friends and family 

members can often become more understanding of the veteran and feel more able to help. 

Physical symptoms and health problems. Because many traumas result in physical injury, pain is 

often part of the experience of survivors. This physical pain often causes emotional distress, 

because in addition to the fact that it hurts, it also reminds them of their trauma. Because traumas 

stress the body, they can sometimes affect physical health, and stress-related physical symptoms 

(e.g., headaches, nausea, skin problems) may be experienced. The veteran with PTSD will need to 

care for his or her health, seek medical care when appropriate, and inform the doctor or nurse 

about his traumas, in order to limit the effects of the trauma. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 193 Appendix J 

DEPRESSION
 

A NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD FACT SHEET
 

Jennifer Gregg, Ph.D. 

Depression is a common problem in which severe and long lasting feelings of sadness or other 

problems get in the way of a person’s ability to function. In any given year, as many as 18.8 

million American adults—9.5% of the adult population—experience some type of depression. 

Unlike a blue mood that comes and goes, depression is a persistent problem that affects the way a 

person eats and sleeps, thinks about things, and feels about him- or herself. 

What are the Symptoms of Depression? 

The symptoms of depression can vary quite a bit, but most people who experience depression feel 

down or sad more days than not, or find that things in their life no longer seem enjoyable or 

interesting. Additionally, people with depression may notice changes in their sleeping, eating, 

concentration, or feelings about themselves, and may find themselves feeling hopeless. These 

symptoms typically last for at least 2 weeks without letting up. 

What Causes Depression? 

Depression has many causes. Difficulty coping with painful experiences or losses contributes to 

depression. People returning from a war zone often experience painful memories, feelings of guilt, 

or regret about their war experiences, or have a tough time readjusting back to normal life. 

Trouble coping with these feelings and experiences can lead to depression. Some types of 

depression run in families, and depression is often associated with chemical imbalances and other 

changes in the brain. 

How is Depression Treated? 

There are many treatment options for depression. An evaluation should be done by a healthcare 

professional to help determine which type of treatment is best for an individual. Typically, milder 

forms of depression are treated by psychotherapy, and more severe depression is treated with 

medications or a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Your doctor can help you 

determine which treatment is best for you. 

Psychotherapy. There are a number of types of psychotherapy (or talk therapy) that are used to 

treat depression. These treatments may involve just a few sessions, or may last 10-20 weeks or 

longer. Psychotherapy treatments tend to focus on helping patients learn about their problems and 

resolve them, through working with a therapist and learning new patterns of behavior to help 

decrease depression. Two of the main types of psychotherapy for depression are interpersonal 

therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Interpersonal therapy focuses on the patient’s 

relationships with other people, and how these relationships may cause and maintain depression. 

Cognitive-behavioral treatments help patients change negative styles of thinking and acting that 

can lead to depression. 

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Medication. In addition to psychotherapy, there are several types of antidepressant medications 

used to treat depression. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclics, 

and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The newer medications for treating depression, such 

as the SSRIs, generally have fewer side effects than older types of medications. A healthcare 

provider may try more than one type of medication, or may increase the dosage, to find a 

treatment that works. Improvements in symptoms of depression typically occur after the 

medication is taken regularly for 3 to 4 weeks, although in some medications it may take as long 

as 8 weeks for the full effect to occur. 

Antidepressant medications are typically safe and effective. They help patients feel less depressed 

and generally do not make people feel “drugged” or different during their daily lives. The side 

effects of depression medications vary depending on the medication, and can include dry mouth, 

constipation, bladder problems, sexual problems, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, 

nausea, nervousness, or insomnia. Because of side effects or because they begin feeling better, 

patients are often tempted to stop taking their medication too soon. Some medications must be 

stopped slowly to give your body time to readjust to not having the medication. Never stop taking 

an antidepressant without consulting your doctor. 

What Can I Do about Feelings of Depression? 

Depression can make a person feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, hopeless, and sad. These 

feelings can make you feel as though you are never going to feel better, or that you should just 

give up. It is important to realize that these negative thoughts and feelings are part of depression, 

and often fade as treatment begins working. In the meantime, here is a list of things to try to 

improve your mood: 

•	 Talk with your doctor or healthcare provider 

•	 Talk with family and friends, and let them help you 

•	 Participate in activities that make you feel better, or that you used to enjoy before you began 

feeling depressed 

•	 Set realistic goals for yourself 

•	 Engage in mild exercise 

•	 Try to be with others and get support from them 

•	 Break up goals and tasks into smaller, more reachable ones 

Where Can I Find More Information About Depression? 

National Institute of Mental Health Depression Fact Sheet: 

www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm 

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill: www.nami.org 

National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: www.ncptsd.org 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 195 Appendix J 

STRESS, TRAUMA, AND ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
 

A NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD FACT SHEET
 

Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D. 

Drinking to Reduce Stress 

Many military personnel experience stress related to their deployment, service, and return home. 

These quite natural stress reactions can range from mild to severe and may be either short-lived or 

persist for a very long time. One common approach to managing stress that seems a simple and 

easy solution is use of alcohol or drugs. Military personnel, like civilians, may use alcohol and 

drugs as a way to relax or reduce anxiety and other bad feelings. In some cases, alcohol and drugs 

are not only used to decrease stress but also to manage severe symptoms that can arise from a 

traumatic experience in the warzone. You might find yourself drinking or using drugs for a variety 

of reasons when under stress or after trauma, including to: 

• Help yourself sleep • Decrease sadness 

• Relax • Help yourself be around others 

• Decrease emotional pain • Increase pleasurable experience 

• “Drown” your worries • Keep upsetting memories from coming to 

• Escape present difficulties mind 

• “Shake off” stress • Calm anxiety 

Becoming Dependent on Alcohol/Drugs 

Initially, alcohol and drugs may seem to make things better. They may help you sleep, forget 

problems, or feel more relaxed. But any short-term benefit can turn sour fast. In the long run, using 

alcohol and drugs to cope with stress will cause a whole new set of very serious problems, as well 

as worsening the original problems that lead you to drink or use. Alcohol and drug abuse can 

cause problems with your family life, health, mental well-being, relationships, finances, 

employment, spirituality, and sense of self-worth. 

Think about family impact as an example. It’s difficult to create good relationships when you are 

regularly drunk or high. Being intoxicated decreases intimacy and creates an inability to 

communicate well. Family members can feel rejected by someone who is always under the 

influence. In addition, witnessing someone's behavior while under the influence can be 

distressing. Children may not understand the aggressive behavior, the shutting down, or the hiding 

out that can occur along with substance use. The fallout from an accident or an arrest can have a 

long-lasting impact on a family. Alcohol and drug problems are dangerous for loved ones, because 

they are often linked with family violence and driving while intoxicated. 

When is Use of Alcohol a Problem? 

It is often hard to decide whether alcohol or drug use is becoming a problem. It can happen 

gradually, and sometimes can be hard to notice by the person who is using. Here are things that 

people sometimes say to themselves to convince themselves that they do not have a problem. Do 

you recognize any? 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
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• “I just drink beer (wine)” • “I don’t drink every day” 

• “I don’t use hard drugs” • “I’ve never missed a day of work” 

• "I'm not an alcoholic" • “I don’t need help, I can handle it 

• “I gave it up for 3 weeks last year” myself” 

Alcohol or drug use can be considered a problem when it causes difficulties, even in minor ways. 

Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to see if you are developing a problem: 

Have friends or family members commented on how much or how often you drink? 

Have you have found yourself feeling guilty about your drinking or drug use? 

Have you found yourself drinking (using) more over time? 

Have you tried to cut down your alcohol (drug) use? 

Does your drinking (using drugs) ever affect your ability to fulfill personal obligations such as 

parenting or work? 

Do you drink (use) in situations that are physically dangerous such as driving or operating 

machinery while under the influence? 

Have you found that you need more alcohol (drug) to get the same effect? 

If you find that you are answering “yes” to one or more of these questions, perhaps it is time to reevaluate your use, cut back, and seek help from friends, family, or a professional. 

What to Do if Alcohol or Drugs are Causing Problems 

If you think that that alcohol (drug) use has become (or is becoming) a problem for you, there are 

number of things that you can do. First, recognize that you are not alone and that others are 

available to lend support. Second, find help. Getting help is the most useful tool in decreasing or 

stopping problem drinking or drug use, even if you have doubts about being able to quit or if you 

are feeling guilt about the problem. Call your health provider, contact a physician or therapist, call 

your local VA hospital, or contact your local Alcoholic’s Anonymous for guidance in your 

recovery. These contacts can help you on the road to the life you want. 

Listed below are some useful websites if you are looking for more information about alcohol and 

drug use or about how to get help. 

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Information and Resources: http://www.alcoholanddrugabuse.com/ 

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Frequently Asked Questions: 

http://www.niaaa.nij.gov/faq/faq.htm
 

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator: http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
 

Alcoholics Anonymous Homepage: http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/
 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 197	 Appendix J 

WHAT IF I HAVE SLEEP PROBLEMS?
 

A NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD FACT SHEET
 

Julia M. Whealin, Ph.D. 

Many people who have been deployed for combat or peacekeeping experience sleep problems, 

for various reasons. Some individuals may suffer from nightmares related to the deployment, and 

wake up feeling terrified. Others may feel the need to stay awake to protect themselves from 

danger. For example, some service members who have been in combat feel a need to "stand 

guard" at night, rather than sleep. Individuals may also have poor sleep habits that lead to 

insomnia, such as extended napping or an irregular sleep schedule. 

What Can I Do If I am Having Sleep Problems? 

We are creatures of habit. Our sleep habits can either make sleeping easier or more difficult. The 

following 10 suggestions have been shown to help reduce sleep problems: 

1.	 Keep bed only for sleep – Do not watch TV, talk on the phone, review work, study, or solve 

problems while in bed. Go to bed only when you are drowsy and ready for sleep. 

2.	 If you don’t fall asleep within 30 minutes, get up – Go to another room and do something 

relaxing until you feel drowsy. 

3.	 “Wind down” before bedtime – Do something calming, like light reading, listening to soothing 

music, praying, taking a warm bath, doing a crossword puzzle, or playing an enjoyable 

computer game before bedtime. 

4.	 Have a regular bedtime and rising time – Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every 

day. 

5.	 Limit naps – A mid-day nap as short as 10 minutes can improve mood and mental 

performance. However, limit your nap to 15 minutes and don't take it later than 4pm, or the 

nap may interfere with your sleep cycle. 

6.	 Increase regular exercise – Just not too close to bedtime. 

7.	 Decrease stimulants – Avoid smoking, or drinking coffee or soda with caffeine in the afternoon 

or evening. 

8.	 Decrease alcohol – Because alcohol causes mid-night awakenings, have no more than one 

serving of alcohol with dinner. Of course if you are in recovery from alcohol abuse, it is 

important to avoid alcohol entirely. 

9.	 Inspect your bedroom environment – Is your bedroom dark and free of noise? Is your bed 

comfortable? Is the temperature comfortable? Do you feel safe and serene in your bedroom? If 

not, you can add images that are calming—a picture of your children, pet, an outdoor scene, a 

poem, or a prayer—to your room. 

10. Get help – There are treatments that can help your sleep problems. If you continue to have 

sleep problems, see a trained sleep specialist to help identify what is the best treatment for you. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 198 Appendix J 

What If I Am Having Nightmares?
 

After a traumatic event, many people experience nightmares. For some, nightmares may continue 

to repeat for a long period of time. During nightmares, you may feel like you are “reliving” the 

event, with the same fear, helplessness, or rage experienced during the original trauma. 

Nightmares are not a sign that you are “going crazy.” They are a way of working through a trauma. 

Some people try to avoid nightmares, by using drugs or alcohol, or by avoiding sleep altogether. 

These “solutions” only lead to new problems, such as substance dependence and sleep 

deprivation. When you wake up from a nightmare, leave the bedroom and go to another room to 

get your bearings. It may take a while to re-orient yourself to the present. Do something relaxing. If 

possible, reach out to someone who supports you. If you live with others, discuss the fact that you 

are having nightmares. Discuss ways in which you might want to handle the situation and share 

this handout with them. A small percentage of sufferers act out their nightmare in their sleep. You 

may want to rearrange your bedroom so that you are safe. If you share your bed with a partner, 

you may need to make sure he/she is not in harm’s way. 

How Are Sleep Problems Treated? 

There are effective treatments for sleep problems. Choosing one that is right for you will depend 

on the situation. Medications are available for quick, short-term relief of insomnia and nightmares. 

Some medications can be addictive, however, so check with your doctor to find out which is best 

for you. 

Some “talk therapies” will help bring about long-term relief of sleep problems. “Cognitive 

Behavioral Therapy” targets your beliefs and behaviors that can make sleep problems worse. 

“Sleep Hygiene” Therapy helps people develop habits that can improve sleep. Breathing and 

relaxation therapies also may be used to help reduce muscle tension and promote sleep. 

Therapies to treat nightmares are also available. For example, “Imagery Rehearsal Therapy” 

focuses upon helping people change the endings of their nightmares, while they are awake, so the 

dream is no longer upsetting. This therapy has been shown to reduce nightmares in survivors of 

combat and sexual assault. 

Where Can I Find More Information About Sleep Problems? 

National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: www.ncptsd.org 

National Alliance for the Mentally 

Ill:http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Sleep_Disorders.htm 

Stanford University Center for Excellence in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Disorders: 

http://www.med.stanford.edu/school/psychiatry/coe/ 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
Iraq War Clinician Guide 199	 Appendix J 

COPING WITH TRAUMATIC STRESS REACTIONS
 

A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet
 

Pamela Swales, Ph.D. 

Importance of Active Coping 

When veterans take direct action to cope with their stress reactions and trauma-related problems, 

they put themselves in a position of power and start to be less helpless. 

•	 Active coping means recognizing and accepting the impact of trauma on your life, and taking 

direct coping action to improve things. 

•	 It means actively coping even when there is no crisis; coping is an attitude of mind and a habit 

that must be strengthened. 

Understanding the Recovery Process 

Knowing how recovery happens puts you in more control of the recovery process. 

•	 Recovery is an ongoing daily gradual process. It doesn’t happen through being suddenly 

“cured.” 

•	 Some amount of continuing reactions is normal and reflects a normal body and mind. Healing 

doesn’t mean forgetting traumatic war experiences or having no emotional pain when thinking 

about them. 

•	 Healing may mean fewer symptoms and less disturbing symptoms, greater confidence in 

ability to cope with your memories and reactions, and improved ability to manage emotions. 

Coping with Traumatic Stress Reactions: Ways that DON’T Help 

•	 Using drugs and alcohol as ways to reduce anxiety or relax, stop thinking about war 

experiences, or go to sleep. Alcohol and drug use cause more problems than they cure. 

•	 Keeping away from other people. Social isolation means loss of support, friendship, and 

closeness with others, and more time to worry or feel hopeless and alone. 

•	 Dropping out of pleasurable or recreational activities. This leads to less opportunity to feel 

good and feel a sense of achievement. 

•	 Using anger to control others. Anger helps keep other people away and may keep bad 

emotions away temporarily, but it also keeps away positive connections and help from loved 

ones. 

•	 Trying to constantly avoid people, places, or thoughts that are reminders of the traumatic 

event. Avoidance of thinking about trauma or seeking treatment doesn’t keep away distress, 

and it prevents progress on coping with stress reactions. 

•	 Working all the time to try and avoid distressing memories of the trauma (the “workaholic”). 

Coping with Traumatic Stress Reactions: Ways that CAN Help 

There are many ways you can cope with posttraumatic stress. Here are some things you can do if 

you have any of the following symptoms: 

Unwanted distressing memories, images or thoughts 

•	 Remind yourself that they are just that—memories. 

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•	 Remind yourself that it’s natural to have some sorts of memories of the events(s). 

•	 Talk to someone you trust about them. 

•	 Remember that although reminders of trauma can feel overwhelming, they often lessen over 

time. 

Sudden feelings of anxiety or panic 

These are a common part of traumatic stress reactions, and include sensations of your heart 

pounding and feeling lightheaded or “spacey” (often due to rapid breathing). If this happens, 

remember that: 

•	 These reactions are not dangerous. If you had them while exercising, they would not worry 

you. 

•	 It is the addition of inaccurate frightening thoughts (e.g., I’m going to die, I’m having a heart 

attack, I will lose control) that makes them especially upsetting. 

•	 Slowing down your breathing may help. 

• The sensations will pass soon and you can still “go about your business” after they decrease. 

Each time you think in these positive ways about your arousal/anxious reactions, you will be 

helping them to happen less frequently. Practice will make it easier to cope. 

Feeling like the trauma is happening again (“Flashbacks”) 

•	 Keep your eyes open. Look around you and notice where you are. 

•	 Talk to yourself. Remind yourself where you are, what year you’re in, and that you are safe. 

Trauma happened in the past, and you are in the present. 

•	 Get up and move around. Have a drink of water, and wash your hands. 

•	 Call someone you trust and tell them what’s been happening. 

•	 Remind yourself that this is quite common traumatic stress reaction. 

•	 Tell your counselor or doctor what happened to you. 

Trauma-related dreams and nightmares 

•	 If you awaken from a nightmare in a “panic,” remind yourself that you are reacting to a dream 

and that’s why you are anxious/aroused...and not because there is real danger now. 

•	 Consider getting up out of bed, “regrouping,” and orienting yourself. 

•	 Engage in a pleasant, calming activity (e.g., listen to soothing music). 

•	 Talk to someone if possible. 

•	 Talk to your doctor about your nightmares; certain medications can be helpful. 

Difficulty falling or staying asleep 

•	 Keep to a regular bedtime schedule. 

•	 Avoid strenuous exercise within a few hours of going to bed. 

•	 Avoid using your sleeping area for anything other than sleeping or sexual intimacies. 

•	 Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. These harm your ability to sleep. 

•	 Do not lie in bed thinking or worrying. Get up and enjoy something soothing or pleasant; 

reading a calming book, drink a glass of warm milk, do a quiet hobby. 

Irritability, anger, and rage 

•	 Take a “time out” to cool off or to think things over. Walk away from the situation. 

•	 Get in the habit of using daily exercise as a friend. Exercise reduces body tension and helps get 

the “anger out” in a positive and productive way. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
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•	 Remember that anger doesn’t work. It actually increases your stress and can cause health 

problems. 

•	 Talk to your counselor or doctor about your anger. Take classes in “anger management.” 

•	 If you blow up at your family or friend, find time as soon as you are able to talk to them about 

it. Let them know how you feel, and what you are doing to cope with your reactions. 

Difficulty concentrating 

•	 Slow down. Give yourself time to “focus” on what it is you need to learn or do. 

•	 Write things down. Making “to do” lists may be helpful. 

•	 Break task down into small do-able “chunks.” 

•	 Plan a realistic number of events or tasks for each day. 

•	 Perhaps you may be depressed; many who are do have trouble concentrating. Again, this is 

something you can discuss with your counselor, doctor, or someone close to you. 

Having difficulty feeling or expressing positive emotions 

•	 Remember that this is a common reaction to trauma, that you are not doing this on purpose, 

and that you should not feel guilty for something you do not want to happen and cannot 

control. 

•	 Make sure to regularly participate in activities that you enjoy or used to enjoy. Sometimes, 

these activities can re-kindle feelings of pleasure. 

•	 Take steps to communicate caring to loved-ones in little ways: write a card, leave a small gift, 

phone and say hello. 

Final Word 

Experiment with these ways of coping to find which ones are helpful to you. Practice them, because, 

like other skills, they work better with practice. Talk to your counselor or doctor about them. Reach 

out to people in VA, Vet Centers, your family, and your community that can help. You’re not alone. 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS	 NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD 
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WARZONE-RELATED STRESS REACTIONS: WHAT FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW
 

A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet
 

Julia M. Whealin, Ph.D. 

Military personnel in war zones frequently have serious reactions to their traumatic war 

experiences. Sometimes the reactions continue after they return home. Ongoing reactions to war 

zone fear, horror, or helplessness connected with posttraumatic stress and can include: 

Nightmares or difficulty sleeping 

Unwanted distressing memories or thoughts 

Anxiety and panic 

Irritability and anger 

Emotional numbing or loss of interest in activities or people 

Problem alcohol or drug use to cope with stress reactions 

How Traumatic Stress Reactions Can Affect Families 

Stress reactions in a returning war veteran may interfere with the ability to trust and be emotionally 

close to others. As a result, families may feel emotionally cut off from the service member. The 

veteran may feel irritable and have difficulty with communication, making him/her hard to get 

along with. He or she may experience a loss of interest in family social activities. The veteran may 

lose interest in sex and feel distant from his or her spouse. Traumatized war veterans often feel that 

something terrible may happen “out of the blue” and can become preoccupied with trying to keep 

themselves and family members safe. 

Just as war veterans are often afraid to address what happened to them, family members also may 

avoid talking about the trauma or related problems. They may avoid talking because they want to 

spare the veteran further pain, or because they are afraid of his or her reaction. Family members 

may feel hurt, alienated, or discouraged because the veteran has not overcome the effects of the 

trauma and may become angry or feel distant from the veteran. 

The Important Role of Families in Recovery 

The primary source of support for the returning soldier is likely to be his or her family. Families 

can help the veteran avoid withdrawal from others. Families can provide companionship and a 

sense of belonging, which can help counter feelings of separateness and difference from other 

people. They can provide practical and emotional support for coping with life stressors. 

If the veteran agrees, it is important for family members to participate in treatment. It is also 

important to talk about how the post-trauma stress is affecting the family and what the family can 

do about it. Adult family members should also let their loved ones know that they are willing to 

listen if the service member would like to talk about war experiences. Family members should talk 

with treatment providers about how they can help in the recovery effort. 

What Happens in Treatment for PTSD 

Treatment for PTSD focuses upon helping the veteran reduce fear and anxiety, gain control over 

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traumatic stress reactions, make sense of traumatic experiences, and function better at work and in 

the family. A standard course of treatment may include: 

•	 Assessment and development of an individual treatment plan. 

•	 Education of veterans and their families about posttraumatic stress and its effects. 

•	 Training in relaxation methods, to help reduce physical arousal/tension. 

•	 Practical instruction in skills for coping with anger, stress, and ongoing problems. 

•	 Discussion of feelings of anger or guilt, which are common among survivors of war trauma. 

•	 Detailed discussion to help change distressing beliefs about self and others (e.g., self-blame). 

•	 If appropriate, careful, repeated discussions of the trauma (exposure therapy) to help the 

service member reduce the fear associated with trauma memories. 

•	 Medication to reduce anxiety, depression, or insomnia. 

•	 Group support from other veterans, often felt to be the most valued treatment experience. 

Mental health professionals in VA Medical Centers and community clinics and Readjustment 

Counseling Service Vet Centers have a long tradition of working with family members of veterans 

with PTSD. Educational classes for families and couples counseling may be available. Family 

members can encourage the veteran to seek education and counseling, but should not try to force 

their loved one to get help. Family members should consider getting help for themselves, whether 

or not their loved one is getting treatment. 

Self-Care Suggestions for Families 

•	 Become educated about PTSD. 

•	 Take time to listen to all family members and show them that you care. 

•	 Spend time with other people. Coping is easier with support from caring others, including 

extended family, friends, church, or other community groups. 

•	 Join or develop a support group. 

•	 Take care of yourself. Family members frequently devote themselves totally to those they care 

for, and in the process, neglect their own needs. Watch your diet, exercise, and get plenty of 

rest. Take time to do things that feel good to you. 

•	 Try to maintain family routines, such as dinner together, church, or sports outings. 

Additional Resources 

For more information about PTSD and treatment, visit the National Center for PTSD website at 

www.ncptsd.org. 

Matsakis, A. (1996). Vietnam wives: Facing the challenges of life with veterans suffering 

posttraumatic stress. Baltimore, MD: Sidran. 

Mason, P. (1999). Recovering from the war: A woman’s guide to helping your Vietnam vet, your 

family, and yourself. High Springs, FL: Patience Press. 

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AMERICAN ACADEMY OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY 

FACTS FOR FAMILIES – No. 88 

FAMILIES IN THE MILITARY 

Global conflict and unrest have led to deployment of large numbers of military personnel (active 

duty, Reserves, National Guard). As a result of duty assignments, members of the military are often 

separated for lengthy periods of time from their families and sent to distant, dangerous or unknown 

locations. A family that loses the active presence of a parent through separation faces significant 

challenges and stress. During the parent’s deployment, family members may feel isolated, 

unsupported and anxious. They may also experience financial stress. Media coverage of events 

can also increase concern. 

Some families must also deal with the trauma of having a parent seriously injured or killed. 

Families who have little or no contact with extended family and/or the military community may be 

especially vulnerable to stress. In families with existing medical, emotional or behavioral 

problems, a parent being away can be especially difficult. 

While most families and children manage successfully, it is important for parents to be aware of 

signs of stress and possibly serious problems. The responses of children to stress of separation are 

determined by their individual makeup and developmental age. The following are some common 

reactions: 

•	 Infants (Birth - 12 months) may respond to disruptions in their schedule, physical environment 

or availability of caregivers with decreased appetite, weight loss, irritability and/or apathy. 

•	 Toddlers (1-3 yrs.) may become sullen, tearful, throw temper tantrums or develop sleep 

problems. 

•	 Preschoolers (3-6 yrs.) are more aware of the absence of a parent than younger children and 

their behavior may regress in areas such as toilet training, sleep, separation fears, physical 

complaints, or thumb sucking. They may personalize situations and express a fear that, 

“Daddy left because I was angry at him” or “Mommy stays away because she doesn’t love 

me.” 

•	 School age children (6-12 yrs.) are more aware of the realities behind their parent leaving and 

the potential dangers. They may show irritable behavior, aggression or whininess. They also 

may become more regressed and fearful that their parent may be injured or die. 

•	 Teenagers (13-18 yrs.) may be rebellious, irritable or more challenging of authority. Parents 

need to be alert to high-risk behaviors such as problems with the law, sexual acting out, and 

drug/alcohol abuse. 

A parent leaving home on a military assignment increases the burden on all family members. The 

following suggestions can ease the stress: 

•	 Talk as a family before the reassignment, sharing information, feelings, worries and plans for 

the future. Let your child know that the family member is making a valuable contribution to 

their country and the world. 

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•	 Emphasize the need for the family to pull together during the parent’s absence with everyone 

sharing in family responsibilities. 

•	 Continue family traditions, structure and discipline. This is reassuring and stabilizing to 

children. 

•	 Utilize available means (e.g. letters, email, phone) for the family members to communicate 

with the deployed parent. 

•	 Share information with children based upon their developmental level and ability to 

understand. No news is usually more stressful and difficult to deal with than bad news. 

•	 Monitor children’s exposure to TV coverage of war events and political discussions of the war. 

•	 Encourage the open and honest expression of worries, feelings, and questions. 

•	 Consider having children participate in a project associated with their parent’s deployment 

(e.g. classroom letter writing project, keeping a journal or scrapbook). 

•	 Don’t make promises that you can’t keep. 

•	 Initiate and maintain a close relationship and communication with your child’s teachers and 

school. 

•	 Utilize extended family, community and spiritual resources and other natural supports that are 

available both within and outside the military. 

•	 As a single parent at home, make sure that you also take care of yourself so that you can be 

available to your children. 

Although a joyous occasion, when a family member returns home after a long absence, a period of 

adjustment will be necessary. Roles, responsibilities and routines must be re-established. The 

emotional readjustment will require time and patience. This can be a difficult time and all family 

members will need extra support. This is especially true if there has been a serious injury. If a 

parent or a child develops emotional or behavioral problems or is having serious difficulties with 

the adjustment, they should be referred for evaluation by a qualified mental health professional. 

While it is a difficult time for families, most children can and do adjust successfully to the 

separation and stress involved when a parent in the military is deployed. 

For additional information see Facts for Families: #4 The Depressed Child, #8 Children and Grief, 

#14 Children and Family Moves, #34 Children’s Sleep Problems, #47 The Anxious Child, #66 

Helping Teenagers with Stress, #54 Children and Watching TV, #67 Children and the News, and 

#87 Talking to Kids About War & Terrorism. See also: Your Child (AACAP, 1998 Harper Collins) 

and Your Adolescent (AACAP, 1999 Harper Collins). 

# # # # 

Facts for Families is copyrighted, developed and distributed by the American Academy of Child 

and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). Facts sheets may be reproduced for personal or educational 

use without written permission, but cannot be included in material presented for sale. All Facts are 

available on the AACAP website (www.aacap.org). 

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HOMECOMING AFTER DEPLOYMENT: DEALING WITH CHANGES AND EXPECTATIONS
 

A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet 

Ilona Pivar, Ph.D. 

With deployment comes change. Knowing what to expect and how to deal with changes can 

make homecoming more enjoyable and less stressful. Below are some hints you might find 

helpful. 

Expectations for Soldiers: 

•	 You may miss the excitement of the deployment for a while. 

•	 Some things may have changed while you were gone. 

•	 Face to face communication may be hard at first. 

•	 Sexual closeness may also be awkward at first. 

•	 Children have grown and may be different in many ways. 

•	 Roles may have changed to manage basic household chores. 

•	 Spouses may have become more independent and learned new coping skills. 

•	 Spouses may have new friends and support systems. 

•	 You may have changed in your outlook and priorities in life. 

•	 You may want to talk about what you saw and did. Others may seem not to want to listen. Or 

you may not want to talk about it when others keep asking. 

Expectations for Spouses: 

•	 Soldiers may have changed. 

•	 Soldiers, used to the open spaces of the field, may feel closed in. 

•	 Soldiers also may be overwhelmed by noise and confusion of home life. 

•	 Soldiers may be on a different schedule of sleeping and eating (jet lag). 

•	 Soldiers may wonder if they still fit into the family. 

•	 Soldiers may want to take back all the responsibilities they had before they left. 

•	 Soldiers may feel hurt when young children are slow to hug them. 

What Children May Feel: 

•	 Babies less than 1 year old may not know you and may cry when held. 

•	 Toddlers (1-3 years) may hide from you and be slow to come to you. 

•	 Preschoolers (3-5 years) may feel guilty over the separation and be scared. 

•	 School age (6-12 years) may want a lot of your time and attention. 

•	 Teenagers (13-18 years) may be moody and may appear not to care. 

•	 Any age may feel guilty about not living up to your standards. 

•	 Some may fear your return (“Wait until mommy/daddy gets home!”). 

•	 Some may feel torn by loyalties to the spouse who remained. 

Source: US Department of the Army. Homecoming after Deployment: Tips for Reunion. US Army Medical 

Department Center and School, Combat Stress Actions Office, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio Texas. 

Modification of materials prepared by 101st Airborne Division Mental Health Section for the Persian Gulf 

War (1991). 

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HOMECOMING AFTER DEPLOYMENT: TIPS FOR REUNION 

A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet 

Pamela J. Swales, Ph.D. 

Reunion is part of the deployment cycle and is filled with joy and stress. The following tips can 

help you have the best possible reunion. 

Tips for Soldiers: 

• Support good things your family has done. 

• Take time to talk with your spouse and children. 

• Make individual time for each child and your spouse. 

• Go slowly when reestablishing your place in the family. 

• Be prepared to make some adjustments. 

• Romantic conversation can lead to more enjoyable sex. 

• Make your savings last longer. 

• Take time to listen and to talk with loved ones. 

• Go easy on partying. 

Tips for Spouses for Reunion: 

• Avoid scheduling too many things. 

• Go slowly in making adjustments. 

• You and your soldier may need time for yourself. 

• Remind soldier he or she is still needed in the family. 

• Discuss splitting up family chores. 

• Stick to your budget until you’ve had time to talk it through. 

• Along with time for the family, make individual time to talk. 

• Be patient with yourself and your partner. 

Tips for Reunion with Children: 

• Go slowly. Adapt to the rules and routines already in place. 

• Let the child set the pace for getting to know you again. 

• Learn from how your spouse managed the children. 

• Be available to your child, both with time and with your emotions. 

• Delay making changes in rules and routines for a few weeks. 

• Expect that the family will not be the same as before you left; everyone has changed. 

• Focus on successes with your children; limit your criticisms. 

• Encourage children to tell you about what happened during the separation. 

• Make individual time for each child and your spouse. 

Source: US Department of the Army. Homecoming after Deployment: Tips for Reunion. US Army Medical 

Department Center and School, Combat Stress Actions Office, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio Texas. 

Modification of materials prepared by 101st Airborne Division Mental Health Section for the Persian Gulf 

War (1991). 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD