Treating Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans With PTSD Who Are at High Risk for Suicide

Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans diagnosed with psychiatric disorders commit suicide at a higher rate than the general population ( Kang & Bullman, 2008). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been identified as a risk factor for suicide in veterans ( Bullman & Kang, 1994) and is the mos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cognitive and behavioral practice 2011-02, Vol.18 (1), p.85-97
Main Authors: Jakupcak, Matthew, Varra, Edward M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Afghanistan
At Risk Persons
Counseling Techniques
Foreign Countries
Identification
Iraq
Mental Disorders
Patients
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Suicide
Symptoms (Individual Disorders)
Therapy
Veterans
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Summary:Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans diagnosed with psychiatric disorders commit suicide at a higher rate than the general population ( Kang & Bullman, 2008). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been identified as a risk factor for suicide in veterans ( Bullman & Kang, 1994) and is the most common mental disorder among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans presenting for treatment at Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities ( Kang, 2009). Therefore, it is critical for health providers to identify veterans with PTSD who are at high risk for suicide in order to more effectively intervene to promote safety, stabilization, and reduce psychiatric symptoms. In the following paper, we discuss risk for suicide in veterans with PTSD and application of cognitive behavioral therapies to reduce suicidality in high-risk patients. We also discuss pertinent clinical issues common to treating Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans with PTSD.
ISSN:1077-7229
1878-187X
DOI:10.1016/j.cbpra.2009.08.007