During times of war, we’re unfortunately conditioned to expect some causalities. But what isn’t expected are deaths that occur later from suicide.
How can we explain the deaths of veterans who survive combat, but then commit suicide after their return?
Tamera Coyne-Beasley, MD, MPH presented findings at the Pediatric Academic Societies May 2010 annual meeting about the violent deaths of young veterans in North Carolina.
Between 2004 and 2006, she found that 132 veterans between the ages of 18 and 34 died violently, 70% due to suicides. Of those who committed suicide, 43% had a history of mental illness, particularly depression, and all had a crisis in the two weeks prior to their deaths.
The Journal of Traumatic Stress reported last August that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who were diagnosed with PTSD were four times more likely to have suicide-related thoughts than veterans who weren’t diagnosed with PTSD. As many as 46% of veterans in the study experienced suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors in the month prior to seeking care.
Clearly we need to come up with better ways to treat and prevent casualties from all kinds of trauma.
If this is of concern to you, check out the work of Pat Ogden, PhD on the sensorimotor approach for treating trauma.
Dr. Ogden’s expertise has been featured in many of our programs on trauma treatment.
Meanwhile, leave a comment below and let us know what you think.
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As a psychological disorder, anxiety relief if completely dependent on the individual. It’s all about what tricks your mind into realizing that it’s actually okay. Of course, I still have problems with anxiety so don’t ask me.
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“I am very interested in the offerings but some of us DO work evenings and more flexibility/availability in the times of the teleconferences would be appreciated – without having to spend the extra $$ to obtain the information.”
You can out more?
I see a lot of somatic and body centered approaches (which is good) but nothing on the power therapys EFT, TAT, EMDR …. that seem much more effective thaqn traditional therapies. As the above posting says lives can be saved.
There exists a treatment for PTSD that is effective and easily administered to both Veterans and non-Veterans. It is EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), its effectiveness has been demonstrated in controlled studies and at a VA hospital. It has been largely ignored. These deaths need not to have occurred. Lives can be saved.
I know this is an issue that sorely needs well coordinated and compassionate attention. I am very interested in the offerings but some of us DO work evenings and more flexibility/availability in the times of the teleconferences would be appreciated – without having to spend the extra $$ to obtain the information.
I agree that we all need more education about treating PTSD, trauma and suicide. These are seriouse topics with huge consequences in not addressed. I appreciate your efforts in trying to reach more people with this information.
Having worked with Soldiers and their families for over 28 years I see the ripple effect that is occuring in all military communities. To inlcude the rise in divorce, domestic violence, homocide and suicide. I am currently working at Suicide Prevention Partnership in Colorado Springs (Fort Carson) and the increase of completed suicides is up 24% from last year (2009 El Paso County Coroner’s office). I am surprised to see the term ‘committed’ rather than ‘completed’ or ‘died by’, as if it were a crime. I have been had the opportunity to talk to many of the Senior Leadership in the Army and I have found it to be extremely frustrating and sad to see and hear their responses to the CAM alternatives I have presented. Please check the website Global Design Creative Services dot com and click on ‘Giving Back’ and ‘Projects’ and you can see what I have been presenting. I have been in the clinics by request of the OIC (Officer in Charge) teaching these practices. Until our Leadership endorses such efforts it will not be mainstreamed. Althought they claim to be using a few alternative approaches I have found it is simply ‘checking the block’ so it is easier to answer the question Why aren’t we using CAM protocols?
My son will be leaving for the Army next month, and my fahetr has served 30 years in the Army as well. I got your 6 all the way. Am proud to be an American daughter and now Mom.
Ha ha.. this happened to much just last week!!! And I had to teach a class and had NO IDEA what time it was. I had just stpeepd out for a moment and hubby left and locked the door. I was so MAD.. and laughing at the irony. I calmed down way quicker than I would have in the past though so I think the yoga must be doing something ; )
You should make a game about disoimnen hopping pony-people with all game elements developed simultaneously but separately (for maximum time efficiency) and market it to the 70+ golf-enthusiast crowd.People would love it! Sounds like the makings of a Hardcore PVP game. You should make it a hardcore PVP game.
As a counselor who sees veterans for the VA, it is apalling. The real problem is the VA. It dismisses veterans who complain about problems with appointments 3 months later. It avoids all the tenets of good medicine to stall those who require it’s services. The people who work there become acustomed to delayed or incomplete services and in some cases nasty temperments. Which is why our vets get so frustrated and succomb to sucide or worse. When no one cares, what choices do you have. When your counselor can’t speak your language, when the group you attend is made up of people you don’t know or have limited in common with, when no one listens or lables you when you complain, our frustrations just appear. We need to make drastic changes in how we treat these honorable people, and not just the political rancor that we hear. Real changes are the only way to correct the “mediocre care” that is given.
Hate to say it, but I’ve forgotten the sairel # of every weapon I ever carried, except the 1911 I carried around. That one and the XO’s were a matched pair, and I remember both. As for taking out a vet, taking myself out sounds silly, so I’ll continue my tradition of taking out some of the active duty types nearby, wifey included.
I’ve been lonoikg for a post like this for an age
The information you provide is much needed in these times. However, it is important to think of how trauma affects a magnitude of individuals even after wars are over. The blogs and teleseminars are appreciated.
Thanks Gissa. You know, they take a lot of work, but are very rewarding to do. Especially when we hear on the blog or the comment boards from practitioners like you.
If you have a minute, check out the comments from last week’s teleseminar with Bob Scaer, MD.