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For and about Hawaii's military
See also: In The Military
Medicine and therapy
available to treat PTSDQuestion: What kinds of treatments exist for post-traumatic stress disorder?
Answer: The disorder is treated by a variety of psychotherapy and medication. Studies show that medications help ease associated symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve sleep. The most widely used drug treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Prozac and Zoloft. Psychotherapy that appears to be most effective are cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy and group therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on helping to identify patterns of thoughts and behavior that are associated with troubling symptoms that cause problems in life.
Exposure therapy involves having the patient confront feared or anxiety-provoking situations under controlled conditions to help him or her work through the trauma. Group therapy for war veterans may entail the discussion of the traumatic events and/or current life with a group of people going through the same thing.
Other forms of group therapy help treat certain symptoms, such as through anger management and stress management training.
Families who are experiencing difficulties may also want to get help as an unit. Families experiencing stress can benefit from couples counseling, couples communication classes and family therapy.
For more information on couples or family counseling, contact the Honolulu Vet Center at 973-8387. PTSD treatment information is also available from the VA Clinic by calling 433-0600, or by contacting the Pacific Center for PTSD located on Oahu at 566-1935.
Q: I am currently on active duty and would like to purchase a home. Am I eligible for a VA home loan?
A: If you are now on regular active duty (not active duty for training), you are eligible after having served 181 days (90 days during the Gulf War). Be sure to submit a statement of service from your commanding officer in lieu of a DD Form 214 (discharge paper).
If your separation occurs within 12 months of the anticipated closing dates of your real estate transaction, documentation verifying your intention to re-enlist or extend your active duty beyond 12 months is required. You must also have a statement from your commanding officer confirming this.
For more information, call the VA at 433-1000, push 2 for benefits, and then 3 for loan guarantee information.
If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran,
call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049
or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii
or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin,
can be reached by phone at 294-4075
or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.