Injury, Chronic Pain Lead to PTSD in War Veterans

Posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD, is a complex psychological complication found in many returning war veterans. For pain management specialists, the complexity of PTSD, coupled with the management of a veteran's chronic pain, leads to tailored programs in treatment.

Even without injury, many war veterans are returning home and feeling the effects of PTSD within just days after arriving back, safe, with their families. From depression to anxiety, the symptoms of PTSD can impair not only the transition back to home life, it can lead to destruction of marriages and a break down in familial relationships.

For those war veterans who are returning home with injury, the issues of PTSD can be even more complex. Chronic pain can lead to PTSD and, likewise, PTSD can further complicate chronic pain. Without proper management of both complications, the veteran may never enjoy a quality of life again.

If you are returning home from the war and you find that you are experiencing complications associated with PTSD, in addition to chronic pain, it is important to find a pain specialist who understands both. While many vets find they return home and simply succumb to the VA benefits they are afforded, it may be necessary to move beyond this treatment and seek private healthcare from a pain management specialists who understand the implications and cyclic effect of both.

There are some within the military community who may boast that the VA is trained to treat this specialized complication of chronic pain and PTSD. However, in the civilian life, when a traumatic injury occurs, nearly 50 percent of those civilians also suffer PTSD while trying to manage chronic pain. As a result, there are pain management specialists who may be far more educated and specialized in the treatment of your condition.