Compassion Fatigue -- Similar to PTSD

Oprah.com looks at the growing condition of "compassion fatigue" -- something experienced by many nurses, but also by people caring for loved ones.

Unlike burnout, which is caused by everyday work stresses (dealing with insurance companies, making treatment choices), compassion fatigue results from taking on the emotional burden of a patient's agony.

In a way, it's similar to post-traumatic stress disorder, except that the stress is a reaction to the trauma of another. As with PTSD, symptoms include irritability, disturbed sleep, outbursts of anger, intrusive thoughts, and a desire to avoid anything having to do with the patient's struggle.

Read more here.

Local War Vet Hosts Horse Therapy Clinic for Soldiers with PTSD

Florida's WCTV has the story, with video!

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Primary Suicide Risk Factor for Veterans

Don't let this be you, okay?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Primary Suicide Risk Factor for Veterans

Veterans unwilling to take part in treatment programs

From The Boston Globe:

Researchers testing ways to treat the psychological wounds of war among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are encountering a serious roadblock: a shortage of willing study participants.

VA prepares to ease rules for PTSD claims

From The Air Force Times:

The Department of Veterans Affairs is moving closer to simplifying the process for many non-combat veterans filing claims for service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

Under a proposed change published in the Aug. 24 Federal Register, VA would eliminate a requirement that a veteran must provide evidence documenting that he witnessed or experienced a traumatic event.

Report: Women more likely to suffer from post traumatic stress

Dr. Carol S. North, a Texas psychiatrist and leading researcher on the mental health impact of disasters, said women also are more likely to suffer longer from the anxiety disorder, which can develop after an ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened.

"In the general population, (PTSD) is twice as common in women as men," she said. "Why, we don't know."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more.

"Emotional resistance traininig" to prevent PTSD (before it happens)

A $117 million program aims to "transform" military culture and teach soldiers how to deal with stressful emotional situations before they happen.

What say you? Is this helpful? Can the military really be transformed? How does this help soldiers who do not receive this during basic training?

Spiritual needs that address PTSD

Can religion help support people with PTSD? That's the idea behind groups like Campus Crusade for Christ's Military Ministry and the Coming Home Collaborative.

USA Today has the story.

Bipolar disorder misdiagnosed - often really PTSD

In a 2008 study, 57% of 145 adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder were found to have been misdiagnosed.

A new study looked closer at those 82 misdiagnosed adults, and found that at least a quarter of them suffered from PTSD.

Reuters Health has the story.

Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy

From Idaho's News 8:

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a thing of the past for a select group of people in Idaho Falls.

Their success in overcoming trauma comes thanks to a counseling technique called Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy (IRRT).

Bob Stahn of Well Spring Counseling says the therapy has cured all of the approximately 50 patients he has treated for PTSD in the past two years. He says the perfect success rate surprises him.

Too good to be true? Read more about it here.

Medical marijuana for PTSD victims?

An Oregon man is pushing for just that. Read all about it here.

Special issue of Journal of the American Medical Association tackles PTSD

The August 5th, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association addresses themes of violence, trauma, PTSD, and sexual abuse, all under the heading "Violence and Human Rights."

Check out the table of contents here.

Asthma and PTSD symptoms persist 5-6 years after exposure to World Trade Center attacks

From the August 5th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.