Caretakers finally acknowledged in treating PTSD, again

Reminder, this is yet one more study about something that was known back in the 80's but passed off as something "new" and different. Point Man Ministries has been working with veterans and their families since 1984!

Caretakers are key to successful PTSD treatment
Special
By Samantha A. Torrence
May 12, 2012
in Health

A recent study has found that treating the families of veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for the psychological stress that comes with living with a vet with PTSD increases the success rate of treatment for the Veteran as well.

A young charity, Military with PTSD, has already been addressing the problems caregivers are facing for the past two years and has taken a unique approach to spreading awareness.

One of the major complaints from caregivers is that they have no one to turn to and no real help. They become exhausted and display symptoms of Secondary Trauma Stress, or Secondary PTSD. The new study put forth from the University of Syracuse's Institute for Veterans and Military Families suggests that treating the family members for their STS will make the living environment better for veterans and increase the chances of success in treatment.

From the study abstract: Research has identified PTSD as mediating the effect of veterans’ combat experience on the family.

Veterans’ numbing/arousal symptoms are especially predictive of family distress; while, to a lesser extent, veterans’ anger is also associated with troubled family relationships and secondary traumatization among family members. Empirical modeling of additional factors involved in secondary traumatization is needed. Marital/family interventions have largely focused on improving relationships and reducing veterans’ symptoms, rather than targeting improvements in the psychological well-being of the spouse and children. Interventions directly addressing the needs of significant others, especially spouses, are advocated. The potential for increased effectiveness of PTSD interventions and possible cost-savings attained by improving relationships and reducing caregiver burden are also discussed.
read more here