Study: Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Shows Promise for PTSD Treatment

From HealthDay News:

Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shows promise, according to a pilot study in the November issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry.

The study found that 25 percent of U.S. military personnel assigned to an Internet-based, eight-week program of self-management CBT no longer had PTSD diagnosis after treatment or at six-month follow-up, compared to 5 percent after treatment and 3 percent at six-month follow-up for those assigned to regular supportive counseling. ...

CBT helps patients process traumatic memories therapeutically, understand and manage symptoms, and correct unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. While CBT is effective, it requires substantial training and expertise to administer, according to background information in the study.

These findings suggest that rapid online delivery of effective CBT treatment for PTSD could be expanded to a large population.

"We felt that the Web-based treatment was highly innovative and particularly well-suited for groups of people who have experienced a single highly traumatic event and want to resume their normal life as quickly as possible," Robert Freedman, editor of the American Journal of Psychiatry, said in a prepared statement.

Fort Carson Prepares for Return of 4,000

An update on things happening at Fort Carson, the Army base which came under scrutiny last year for reportedly stigmatizing troops from seeking help for their post-deployment stress, and this year for reportedly discharging so many soldiers with personality disorder rather than PTSD.

In January, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team's 4,000 infantrymen return following a second intense deployment to Iraq, and Fort Carson is joining forces with local community resources to provide better transition help this time. This is a great, great development.

From the Colorado Springs Gazette:

Leaders at Fort Carson said Friday they’re expanding community outreach initiatives in a bid to more quickly identify war-related mental illness and family problems in the ranks. The expansion of the post’s Warrior Family Community Partnerships precedes the homecoming of nearly 4,000 soldiers who have spent the past year battling in Ramadi and Baghdad.

Fort Carson’s commander, Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, said he wants to work with police departments and schools to ensure that troops exhibiting signs of post-traumatic stress disorder or brain injury get help from the Army.

Graham said his officers are contacting experts nationwide in a bid to find better treatments for PTSD, which has been diagnosed in hundreds of Fort Carson soldiers since the Iraq war began in 2003.

“There’s not one medical solution to help our soldiers and our families get through this,” he said.

Driving the efforts is the upcoming return of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division, which is due home in January. Because the unit is on its second deployment and has seen intense combat, costing the lives of 42 of its soldiers, commanders expect a high rate of war-related mental illness that will tax the post’s staff of 37 mental health workers.

“The demand when 2nd (brigade) comes back will be really dramatic,” predicted Col. Jim Terrio, the post’s top doctor.

October Brought Positive Front Line News

Some welcome news. From Stars and Stripes:

American military deaths in Iraq have hit their lowest point in 20 months, with commanders and soldiers saying the numbers show marked improvement in the security situation throughout the country.

The Pentagon has thus far reported 39 U.S. servicemember deaths for October, down from the 65 reported in September, which itself had been the lowest in 16 months. The October number is the lowest since March 2006, when 32 deaths were reported. Three more deaths were reported at press time, though a final count could not be confirmed.

The number of coalition combat deaths in Iraq dropped in October to the lowest monthly total since February 2004, officials said Thursday.

Still, 2007 is shaping up to be the deadliest year in Iraq since the war began. As of the end of October, 842 deaths have been reported by the Pentagon. With two months left in the year, the total figure is likely to surpass the 849 deaths reported in 2004, the previous yearly high.

VA Reports Nearly 300 Estimated OEF/OIF Veteran Suicides

Tracking stateside post-deployment incidents such as domestic violence, police standoffs, and all the rest including suicide, has been something that I have been a vocal proponent of. My work on the PTSD Timeline, in fact, officially kicks off again today, and in the coming weeks you'll see (far too many) new additions.

Today, related figures from the VA's own tracking effort...