Helping All Veterans Get The Treatment They Need
By Sandy Morris on Feb 20, 2010 in Veterans-N-Military
- Image by Ilona Meagher via Flickr
Helping All Veterans Get The Treatment They Need Should Be Job 1. We all know that proving PTSD and other health issues can be challenging to say the least. This is a good article
Disabled Veterans Can Assist with Medical Treatment and Recovery
February 14, 2010 by Debrah McFarlane
As we all now know, there are many disabled veterans that are affected by PTSD and other health issues. There are also veterans who are affected by disabilities even though they may have not been formally diagnosed by a medical professional. Whatever the situation may be, there are many veterans who do not get the proper care to control symptomologies so they can live a life minimally interrupted by their illnesses. It is extremely imperative that veterans who have, or believe they might be affected by PTSD and other comorbid disorders, try to educate themselves about the illness or illnesses with which they are struggling. It is all well to seek assistance from the VA Medical Centers and other private providers, but please keep in mind that you the veteran will have a far better understanding of what causes triggers and worsening of your conditions.
Self-help books on behavior modification, anger, stress, anxiety, and a therapist with a good ear can do wonders for those who want to control their health conditions. One particular method that can be extremely beneficial is Guided Imagery. Guided Imagery helps with quieting the mind, and also with providing a mental escape from unwanted and intrusive images. Researching and educating oneself on a health issue that has become a part of one’s life can definitely result in a sense of empowerment. One of the biggest mistakes many people make when dealing with a health issue is to completely rely on their providers for information and treatment. It is important to be an active part of your health care so that you can learn what works for you. As for the medication aspect of dealing with the symptomologies of PTSD and other illnesses that may be affecting your life, medications do not always relieve symptomologies and too much medications might in fact produce a negative combined effect on the body and the mind. It is never safe to consume too much medication. Many disabled veterans are typically inundated with psychotropic and other pharmacological agents. They consume these drugs not realizing the harm that can be done to their bodies and minds, and also the further exacerbation of their current illnesses.
There are many providers who are completely reliant on medicating disabled veterans for every cry and whimp that they are presented with. There are also providers who prefer to use alternative treatment methods that do not include pharmacological agents. However, a disabled veteran who chooses the alternative method will definitely be faced with a uncovered expensive venture, since the VA is more reliant on Western medicine than it is alternative treatment. The chances of getting the VA Medical Center to cover alternative treatment is highly unlikely unless it is acupuncture, or being fortunate enough to live close to a VA Medical Center that offers Yoga. Treatment and recovery should be an involved process for both veteran and provider, not a one-sided relationship with a total dependence on the provider. Yes, we pay providers for their knowledge and expertise, but please remember that we do not always get the quality of treatment that is paid for.
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