4 Mental Health Disorders Common in Veterans

Serving in the military isn't an easy task; it involves traumatic experiences and separation from family, which is demanding both physically and mentally. When men and women get out of the military, the stress doesn't stop, but it's often in the form of mental health issues.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, up to 20% of veterans experience PTSD every year. That's a staggering number compared to the 4% of the general public that lives with it.

At Pacific Phoenix Psychiatry & TMS, our team provides mental health services to veterans living in the greater Portland, OR, Salmon Creek, East Vancouver, and Steilacoom-Lakewood, Washington.

Dr. Elia Gonzalez-Rodriguez and her team provide veteran services and treatments like Spravato™, medication management, and transcranial magnetic stimulation for mental health problems.

Veterans and mental health problems

Anyone can develop a mental health condition at any point in life, but some are more prone than others. Veterans and military personnel are highly prone to mental health problems for many reasons.

Veterans have gone through boot camps and deployments and have seen things that many of us can't fathom. They experience the horrors of war and long absences from loved ones, which takes a toll on their mental health over time.

The military is a unique profession in that it regularly puts active members in dangerous situations—which is difficult in itself. They then go overseas for months to years, away from family and friends who support them.

Veterans have experienced physical combat, long periods of separation, and may have even had military sexual trauma, all of which make them prone to mental health problems during active duty and after they retire.

Four prevalent mental health issues in veterans

Veterans are prone to many mental health struggles, especially those who've had traumatic experiences or who've experienced the trauma of war. Although they can deal with many mental health issues, the four most common include:

1. Substance abuse

Many veterans turn to substance abuse to drown out their feelings and mental health problems. They may turn to drugs or alcohol to help them deal with the stresses of previous military experiences.

According to the National Library of Medicine, 30% of veteran suicides and 20% of high-risk behavior-related deaths happened due to drug or alcohol use. Substance abuse isn't just related to illegal drugs and alcohol; it also encompasses prescription drug use.

2. Depression

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, veterans are five times more likely to suffer from depression than civilians. Depression isn't just sadness; it's an overwhelming sense of hopelessness that interferes with every aspect of life.

3. Post-traumatic stress disorder

PTSD is a significant mental health disorder that veterans have to deal with. The stress and horrors of war and combat sear into their minds, which create flashbacks and nightmares that continue even after they leave the active military.

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, PTSD is more common in female veterans than males.

4. Traumatic brain injury

TBIs are highly prevalent in military members, especially those involved in war and combat. A TBI may lead to other mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and mood changes. It also causes headaches and extreme fatigue, which worsen other mental health problems.

What are veteran services?

At our practice, we provide veteran services to help military members overcome mental health problems. We specialize in various treatments and therapies directed toward those who've served in the military.

We recognize the need for veterans to get help quickly, so we guarantee appointments within two weeks of reaching out. We also offer military discounts and accept Tricare insurance to give veterans the best chance at getting treatment for mental health problems.

Our veteran services specialists are here to help you get the treatment you require for issues like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. We offer various treatments for specific problems, including IM ketamine, medication management, and TMS therapy.

Veteran services aim to help veterans overcome mental health struggles and allow them to live fulfilling lives as civilians.

Contact our team today to schedule an appointment for veteran services, or request a consultation on the website. We service the greater Portland area, Salmon Creek, East Vancouver, and Steilacoom-Lakewood, Washington.