Editorial: Neuropsychiatric disorders in the veterans volume II: emerging evidence of precision medicine and complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches
Year: 2024
Type: editorial
Abstract: Veterans protect and serve their country, but alongside these responsibilities lies an unfortunate reality that many suffer from neuropsychiatric disorders that are not fully addressed. The nature of their work often involves exposure to potentially traumatic experiences, like violence and warfare, especially while in combat. Among other factors, the work and training that veterans were previously subject to requires responsibility, sacrifice and unrelenting commitment, and subsequently servicemen and women may be pushed to physical and mental extremes in the process. Consequently, following exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs), moral injury can manifest itself in the form of psychological, behavioral, and social distress (1). Their experiences can linger with them even after returning from their duties and can occur concommitantly with psychological and emotional burdens. Thus, it is critical to consider ways to assess veterans and treat their unique psychiatric disorders. This research topic presents novel approaches and study designs to identify, assess, and mitigate a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, which are of particular concern for the veteran population.Understanding and assessing the mental health of our servicemen and women and how it is influenced by their work is crucial. Suicide is a serious issue and high rates are of growing concern among the veteran population (2). Thousands of veterans lose their lives each year to suicide (2). Although veterans only comprise 7.6% of the US population, they are disproportionately affected by suicide, accounting for almost 14% of American adult suicides (3).Veterans are exposed to trauma, isolation, stress, and accessibility to firearms which are noted as some of the possible explanations for veterans being disproportionately affected by suicide ( 4). Along with suicide, depression is regarded as a common issue among military veterans and may even influence suicidal behavior in conjunction with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (5). Higher rates of depression are observed in the veteran population, which is 37 usually linked to the experiences that they faced during combat (6).PTSD and substance use disorders (SUDs) are other mental health issues that can take a 39 significant toll on the daily lives of yet many do not actively engage in treatment 40 strategies (7). PTSD is a disorder associated with in emotional and cognitive 41 responses in response to traumatic which can manifest in forms of avoidance, fear, and 42 unwanted memories or emotions (8). PTSD is often a prevalent concern among veterans 43 especially because of experiences relating to the brutality of war during military service (8) PTSD that incorporates context related to their trauma to make therapeutic interventions more 74 successful for patients using an open-label case-series design (14). Though these studies have 75 different methodologies, they all underscore the need for new approaches that can be applied to 76 better treat the psychiatric disorders currently affecting veterans. 77Accounting for the mental health of our servicemen and servicewomen is a critical area of 79 concern that must not be underestimated. The unique experiences of military personnel, whether 80 in combat or training, may make them more vulnerable to psychological distresses that are not 81 necessarily common among civilian life. Veterans make significant contributions to their 82 countries, and along with their duties to serve comes a cost related to psychological and mental 83 health burdens that must be acknowledged and managed.
Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,295
OpenAlex ID: W4400792085