Military and Veteran

Since September 11, 2001, nearly 3 million active-duty American military personnel have been deployed, and when they return, many face an ongoing battle as they struggle with the impact of military life on their mental health. Elia Gonzalez-Rodriguez, MD, and the caring team at Pacific Phoenix Psychiatry & TMS welcome veterans at their three offices in Vancouver and Lakewood, Washington. They offer comprehensive veteran services for all the mental health challenges they face, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicidal thoughts. To schedule an appointment, call the nearest office or request an appointment today.

What are veteran services?

Being away from family for an extended time, staying in dangerous environments where lives hang in the balance, and suffering the trauma of injuries and death — these and many other challenges unique to veterans take a toll on their mental well-being.

The Pacific Phoenix Psychiatry & TMS team provides veteran-specific care for many mental health challenges, including: 

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Anxiety
• Grief
• Bipolar disorder
• Substance abuse
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Military sexual trauma

At Pacific Phoenix Psychiatry & TMS, if you are an active member of the military or a family member, we guarantee that you will be able to schedule an appointment within two weeks of requesting it. Also, when you call the nearest office or request an appointment online, be sure to ask about our military discounts.

What signs indicate I need veteran services?

Whenever you feel overwhelmed by emotions or behaviors like anger, rage, or violence, it’s time to seek help from the caring team at Pacific Phoenix Psychiatry & TMS.

In addition to chronic anxiety, PTSD has a unique set of symptoms, including:

• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Anger and irritability
• Guilt and shame
• Difficulty sleeping
• Depression
• Social isolation
• Difficulty concentrating
• Avoiding anything that reminds you of your trauma

Veterans frequently develop depression and may have suicidal thoughts. If you’re in this type of crisis, you may:

• Feel sad
• Lose hope
• Feel agitated
• Have mood swings
• Have difficulty sleeping
• Feel like there’s no reason to live
• Use more alcohol or drugs
• Neglect your personal welfare
• Withdraw from family and friends
• Develop violent behavior
• Think about killing yourself
• Look for ways to kill yourself

If you have thoughts of suicide, you can get immediate help by calling the veterans’ crisis line. Just dial 988 and then press 1.

What veteran services might I receive?

Pacific Phoenix Psychiatry & TMS understands your challenges and creates customized treatment plans that help you overcome your mental health challenges and move forward into a fulfilling life.

In addition to prescribing psychiatric medications, the team also offers today’s most advanced and effective treatments. For example, they prescribe Spravato® (a fast-acting medication for treatment-resistant depression and suicidal thoughts) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

TMS is a safe, painless, non-invasive treatment using magnetic pulses to improve brain function and restore neurotransmitters to healthy levels. You only need a series of treatments over 4-6 weeks to get long-lasting improvement for conditions like PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety. 

To learn more about veteran services, call Pacific Phoenix Psychiatry & TMS or request an appointment online today.