Keywords
virtual reality
military personnel
combat stress disorder treatment methods
combat stress disorder
Abstract
Numerous studies demonstrate a significant link between traumatic events during armed conflicts and long-term negative consequences for the physical and mental health of military personnel. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the primary mental disorders among veterans, manifesting as flashbacks, intrusive images, and nightmares. The prevalence of PTSD among veterans ranges from 9 % to 31 %, with affected individuals often experiencing high levels of trauma, low socio-economic status, and an increased risk of suicide. Treating PTSD presents a significant challenge for specialists. In the United States, inpatient treatment has been a cornerstone of veteran assistance for over 30 years. However, research shows that many veterans, such as those from the Kosovo conflict, do not receive adequate support years after the conflict. The American Psychiatric Association recommends trauma-focused psychotherapy, including Cognitive Processing Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and Prolonged Exposure Therapy. Medication therapy complements psychotherapy, using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. A promising method is the use of virtual reality (VR) technology. The VR exposure therapy system Bravemind is now deployed in over 50 locations, including VA hospitals, military bases, and universities. The use of VR in treating PTSD among veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan has shown reductions in suicidal thoughts, depression, and anger, as well as decreases in fear and anxiety. These methodologies, implemented by Western specialists for rehabilitating combat veterans, have proven effective. Modern realities require a comprehensive approach to treating and preventing PTSD in the Russia. Effective treatment of PTSD, including psychotherapy and medication support, is crucial for improving veterans’ quality of life and reducing their suicide risk.
For citation
Vinsky AA, Markelov VV, Opletin EV, Klishin IV. Traumatic traces of military conflicts: Post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans and ways of support them. USMU Medical Bulletin. 2024;(2):53–60. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/ZNUOKM.
References
Neria Y., Nandi A., Galea S. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Disasters: A Systematic Review // Psychological Medicine. 2008. Vol. 38, Iss. 4. P. 467–480. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291707001353.
Посттравматическое стрессовое расстройство : клинические рекомендации М‑ва здравоохранения РФ / Рос. о‑во психиатров. 2023. URL: https://clck.ru/3B3VfC (дата обращения: 03.05.2024).
Weathers F. W., Brett T. L., Terence M. K. Military Trauma // Traumatic Stress: From Theory to Practice / Ed. by J. R. Fredy, S. E. Hobfoll. New York : Springer, 1995. P. 103–128. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1076-9_5.
Spurgeon D. Fear of Stigma Deters US Soldiers from Seeking Help for Mental Health // BMJ. 2004. Vol. 329, Art. No. 12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.329.7456.12‑c.
The Prevalence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in US Combat Soldiers: A Head-To-Head Comparison of DSM‑5 Versus DSM-IVTR Symptom Criteria with the PTSD Checklist / C. W. Hoge, L. A. Riviere, J. E. Wilk [et al.] // The Lancet Psychiatry. 2014. Vol. 1, Iss. 4. P. 269–277. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70235-4.
Prevalence of the Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Croatian War Veterans / Z. Kušević, H. Vukušić, G. Lerotić [et al.] // Psychiatria Danubina. 1999. Vol. 11, No. 1–2. P. 19–24.
Course of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 40 Years After the Vietnam War: Findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study / C. R. Marmar, W. Schlenger, C. Henn-Haase [et al.] // JAMA Psychiatry. 2015. Vol. 72, Iss. 9. P. 875–881. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.0803.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Serbian Community: Seven Years After Trauma Exposure / D. Lečić-Toševski, B. Pejusković, T. Miladinović [et al.] // The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 2013. Vol. 201, Iss. 12. P. 1040–1044. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0000000000000051.
Shahini M., Shala M. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Kosovo Veterans // Sage Open. 2016. Vol. 6, Iss. 1. P. 1–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016633737.
Kemp J. E., Bossarte R. Suicide Data Report, 2012. Washington : Department of Veterans Affairs ; Mental Health Services ; Suicide Prevention Program, 2013. 59 p. URL: https://clck.ru/3B3Wtx (date of access: 01.05.2024).
Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 18 States, 2014 / K. A. Fowler, S. P. Jack, B. H. Lyons [et al.] // MMWR Surveill Summ 2018. Vol. 67, No. SS‑2. P. 1–36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6702a1.
Fontana A. F., Rosenheck R. A. Treatment-Seeking Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan: Comparison with Veterans of Previous Wars // The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 2008. Vol. 196, Iss. 7. P. 513–521. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0b013e31817cf6e6.
Harvard Trauma Manual, Bosnia-Herzegovina Version / K. Allden, I. Cerić, A. Kapetanović [et al.]. Cambridge : Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma, 1998.
Pharmacotherapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis / M. Hoskins, J. Pearce, A. Bethell [et al.] // The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2015. Vol. 206, Iss. 2. P. 93–100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.114.148551.
Psychotherapy Versus Pharmacotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Systemic Review and Meta-analyses to Determine First-Line Treatments / D. J. Lee, C. W. Schnitzlein, J. P. Wolf [et al.] // Depression and Anxiety. 2016. Vol. 33, Iss. 9. P. 792–806. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22511.
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy / B. O. Rothbaum, A. S. Rizzo, D. D. McDaniel, M. V. Zanov // Encyclopedia of Mental Health / Editor-in-Chief H. S. Friedman. 2nd Ed. Academic Press, 2016. P. 370–374. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-397045-9.00196-8.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM‑5. 5th ed. Arlington : American Psychiatric Association, 2013. XLIV, 947 p. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.
Rothbaum B. O., Rizzo A. S., Difede J. Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder // Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2010. Vol. 1208, Iss. 1. P. 126–132. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05691.x.
A Randomized, Double-Blind Evaluation of D‑Cycloserine or Alprazolam Combined with Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans / B. O. Rothbaum, M. Price, T. Jovanovic [et al.] // The American Journal of Psychiatry. 2014. Vol. 171, Iss. 6. P. 640–648. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13121625.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
Copyright © 2024 Vinsky A. A., Markelov V. V., Opletin E. V., Klishin I. V.