Post-traumatic stress disorder draws vets to Roseburg VA

"I served in Vietnam 40 years ago," a 60-year-old said quietly. "And I am trying to come home. I went to sea 33 years as a merchant seaman. That took care of the need to be a part of society -- I just stayed gone. Then, three years ago, I was forced to retire because of medical stuff, and I've had a tough time readjusting to civilian life."

Post-traumatic stress disorder draws vets to Roseburg VA
The sole in-patient unit in the Western U.S. focuses on disengaging combat veterans from their experiences
Sunday, July 20, 2008

JULIE SULLIVAN

The Oregonian Staff

Red brick buildings with stately white columns rise above the green campus like a Civil War postcard come to life. Visitors pass a rose garden, a gazebo and then a dark carved stone.

"To care for him," it reads, "who shall have borne the battle" -- Abraham Lincoln

The only in-patient ward west of Topeka, Kan., specifically for combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder is tucked inside the Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System just off Interstate 5.

When a fledgling federal agency rebuilt the old Oregon State Soldier's Home 75 years ago, half the veterans cared for nationally were neuropsychiatric patients.

Today, old soldiers still arrive, often terribly troubled.

New ones, too.

They appear alone, sometimes in uniform, taking the elevator to the third floor of Building 2, as though reporting for duty.

That changes quickly, staff say. The 28-day stay is not a deployment. Admission is voluntary. Military clothing is discouraged. The double doors are open, as in most hospital wings. Patients can go into town and go home on weekend passes.

This unit specifically treats combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. But the demand for in-patient care is rising so fast that the Roseburg VA has already boosted capacity this year from 10 to 15 beds and has applied for the money and staff to go to 21.

The VA has about 200 special programs for PTSD nationwide, including 36 intensive in-patient programs aimed at treating symptoms. People in an acute crisis can go to Seattle. Those needing longer stays head to Palo Alto, Calif. But Roseburg is one of only five that allow veterans to step out of their lives and specifically focus on combat-related trauma. Here they work with staff to learn skills and receive psychotherapy for complex and difficult problems. Among them: memory and sleep problems from traumatic brain injuries, as well as physical problems such as back and skin disorders.

"Step out of the black hole into the light," one ribbon reads.

"That was then, this is now," says another.

And:

"Finally Home."

Julie Sullivan: 503-221-8068; juliesullivan@news.oregonian.com

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