Does Your Veteran Loved One Suffer From These Symptoms?

Military veterans are some of the most recognized heroes on earth, but what they see comes at a price. If you're a veteran, what you've seen in combat and war takes a toll on your mental health, leading to issues like PTSD and depression.

However, you must know you aren't alone. The Pacific Phoenix TMS team understands the daily struggles military veterans face. Dr. Elia R. Gonzalez-Rodriguez is our psychiatry expert who offers customized treatments for PTSD or depression. In addition, our practice offers military veterans a guarantee that they will be seen within two weeks of their initial inquiry. If you contact our office to schedule an appointment for yourself or a veteran loved one, please be sure to mention your veteran status to take advantage of this guarantee.

Common conditions that affect veterans

The military is a great way to serve your country, protect your rights, and make something of yourself — but it doesn't come without a price. If you're a veteran who's seen war and other unthinkable horrors, it's no surprise your mental health is suffering.

It isn't uncommon for veterans to suffer from various health conditions after coming home from combat. Some of the more prevalent mental health conditions that affect military veterans include the following:

Depression

Depression is a severe mental health problem that produces feelings of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and disinterest in usual activities. Severe depression can lead to feelings of harming yourself as well.

It isn't uncommon for veterans to experience depression, especially after witnessing firsthand the death of civilians and comrades in war.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is another common mental health condition that affects veterans. PTSD occurs after you've witnessed horrific events such as death, war, or acts of terrorism as a part of the military.

If you have PTSD, you may experience flashbacks of the events, which cause you extreme stress and sadness. You can have outbursts of anger and avoid social interactions to avoid triggers of your feelings.

Veterans also commonly experience traumatic brain injuries from explosions and other trauma during combat. If you have a TBI, you may experience symptoms like mood swings, memory issues, and fatigue.

Signs and symptoms of a problem

If you or someone you love is a military veteran, you must understand the symptoms that accompany mental health problems. When a veteran suffers from PTSD or depression, you need to know the symptoms of which you should be aware, including:

• Bursts of anger
• Flashbacks
• Terrifying nightmares
• Trouble concentrating
• Social isolation
• Trouble sleeping
• Mood swings
• Extreme sadness

Any time you notice a loved one exhibiting the above symptoms, it's a good idea to ensure they're okay. Veterans live through unspeakable horrors that the rest of us can't even fathom.

Understanding the signs and symptoms of PTSD and depression is integral to being in a veteran's life.

What are your treatment options?

Depression and PTSD are serious mental health issues that severely affect a veteran's life. However, you or the veteran you love aren't alone. The Pacific Phoenix TMS team is here to help you through every hurdle you suffer with your mental health.

After a thorough evaluation of your or your loved one's mental health, our team provides you with a customized treatment plan, which may include the following:

Medications

Medications like antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and Spravato™ may help you overcome feelings of depression as a veteran. Our team thoroughly evaluates your condition to determine what medications might work best for you.

Therapy

Two of the best ways to overcome depression and PTSD are therapy and counseling. Therapy significantly helps veterans understand their feelings to overcome mental health problems. Our team can provide you with a referral to a therapist experienced in treating veterans.

TMS

TMS is one of the other cutting-edge treatments our team uses for PTSD and depression. TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation, and we use it to restore your neurotransmitters and restore your normal brain function.

TMS is a safe, effective, and noninvasive therapy. We use magnets and several treatments to restore your brain health if you suffer from a mental health issue like PTSD or depression.

Contact our Pacific Phoenix TMS team today at one of our convenient offices in Salmon Creek or East Vancouver, Washington, to discuss PTSD treatment. You may also request an appointment on our website. Be sure to mention your or your loved one’s veteran status to take advantage of our guarantee to be seen within two weeks of your initial inquiry.