NYMC Faculty Publications

An Innovative Approach to Treating Combat Veterans With PTSD at Risk for Suicide

Author Type(s)

Faculty

DOI

10.1111/sltb.12135

Journal Title

Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior

First Page

582

Last Page

590

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2014

Department

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

Adult, Afghan Campaign 2001-, Aged, Depression, Female, Guilt, Humans, Iraq War, 2003-2011, Male, Middle Aged, Psychotherapy, Brief, Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic, Risk Factors, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Suicide, Suicide, Attempted, United States, Veterans, Vietnam Conflict, Suicide Prevention

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Suicide rates among military personnel had a significant drop in 2013, but there is no evidence of a drop among veterans. The problem of suicide among combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains a source of concern. The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs are now calling for innovative treatment approaches to the problem. A short-term psychodynamic therapy presented here may be able to fill that need by dissipating the guilt from veterans' combat-related actions that leads to suicidal behavior. The treatment showed promise of success with veterans of the war in Vietnam. Preliminary work with combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan indicates that it may be equally successful in treating them. Basic aspects of the psychodynamic approach could be incorporated into current therapies and should improve their ability to treat veterans with PTSD at risk for suicide.

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