VA Psychologist Refuses to Diagnose Suffering Vets with PTSD
A recent Washington Post article states that a Veterans Administration (VA) psychologist in Temple Texas was encouraging other staff psychologists to avoid diagnosing Veterans returning from Iraq with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) because so many veterans were seeking disability payments.
This psychologist recommended a diagnosis of "adjustment disorder" instead, which offers less compensation to veterans. She justified this by saying that diagnosing PTSD required extensive testing that staff members do not have time to do.
This outrageous behavior was not only unethical but possibly illegal as well. It seems like fraud. I can't personally imagine what it must be like to serve your country in a time of War but I know a lot of Daily Strength members can. I also can't imagine what it must be like for the friends and family who not only worry about loved ones deployed but also care for them when they return with physical and/or mental problems. I would imagine that those soldiers and families of soldiers trust that they will be taken care of if injured. Wasn't that part of the deal when they enlisted? What a betrayal! Diagnosing someone with an adjustment disorder when they clearly have PTSD is kind of like diagnosing someone whose leg was amputated with a bad limp. It would never happen. Can you imagine a person not offered the proper treatment or given a prosthesis, pain medication and physical therapy? Yet these poor veterans clearly suffering with PTSD are left hanging without proper treatment and compensation.
And what is this about PTSD requiring extensive testing to diagnose? As a psychotherapist who works primarily with people who suffer with PTSD, it takes the same amount of time to diagnose an adjustment disorder as it does PTSD. Quite frankly, you can do "extensive testing" for PTSD if you want to but the DSM lV created guidelines that any adequately trained professional can follow that requires absolutely no testing. In fact, I have tried to administer PTSD assessments to clients and I could never get past the first few questions without the client being triggered and experiencing extreme reactions. I do not have a military background and there very well may be a protocol for assessing PTSD in the VA that I am not aware of. I would be very interested to know. Does anyone know how this works?
Now the article did state that the VA did take action against this psychologist and stated that they do not support her view. I hope this is just a case of one bad apple and that our Vets do get the compensation and treatment they have not only earned but truly deserve.
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When a country asks their brave men and women to go into battle, my belief is that we owe them. Instead, this country has not provided equipment that would keep them safe, over-deployed them without adequate rest between deployments and has not taken care of their mental and physical wounds when they returned.
I read what the mother wrote in Reply #14 of this thread. I have gone through that with a friend of mine - who was also sent back to Iraq - even after my friend had asked for help with the PTSD. Instead of offering help with such problems, the military tells people that if they even try to seek help, they can be discharged dishonorably.
These men and women (and often young people not old enough to legally buy a drink) put their lives on the line for our country. When they return home wounded, my opinion is it is our responsibility to make sure they are cared for. That should be considered to be a cost of the war.
Not only that, but the families of these people who serve are left to deal with the problems. After months upon months of not having their loved one there with them, of worrying about what is happening to them and doing without financially, they then have to struggle with the wounds from the war (physical or mental).
So many people with mental problems, including Vets with PTSD, are now in our prison systems because this country no longer funds mental health facilities. And they certainly do not get the treatment they need there.
For the war in Iraq or against, I think we can all agree that when someone puts their life on the line for our country, they deserve better than what they are getting now.
By ChrisAz December 14, 2008 11:05pm
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AND NOW THIS !!!
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-...
By Druid December 3, 2008 2:26am
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Sounds like our usual "Hurry up and Wait"!!! OR More like Switch and Bait!!! However the government get to get the milk without paying for the Cow.
By olisa September 4, 2008 10:36pm
26
My brother did 18 months in Iraq and is severely suffering from ptsd I feel really bad and wish i could help him. The Va is trying I guess it just does not seem to be helping him enough. I love him so much but find it hard to be around him real often, because he has outbursts that I do not now how to deal with myself.
By nash48 August 22, 2008 12:35pm
25
My friends have had trouble receiving proper mental and physical attention from the military since their return from Iraq.
By papaya August 5, 2008 9:13am
24
Boy this makes me SCREAM! You know, they make it near impossible to get disability the civilian way anyway.
I just am looking forward to the change in government and hopefully that will get things back on the right track.
Refusing care to people to save money ONLY COSTS MORE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN than if they just gave proper treatment like the PTSD cocktail in the FIRST PLACE!
'Nuff said
By Brillante July 30, 2008 12:03am
23
My son was just diagnosed with re-adjustment disorder. He is also getting ready to file a claim for a back injury that was never treated when he was active duty.
By stayingalive July 28, 2008 4:29pm
22
We the people are seaching for nation to call home.
Recently i join DS group on war and created a topic for options to get people to think and not go along w herd in thier daily busy schedules.
Unforantly topic area provides 500 spaces to write - which am gratful for but i was unable to add that i have had and still have friends in US Navy and some of my friends were in US Nave in Va over 25 yrs ago and they all are US college educated and who are iranians.
Regarding this topic. The medical benifits and SSI and SSD w other Goverment agentcy had already recieved instruction and guild lines to denie our vets ...Long befor US 1st troops where deployed.
as with the programs and training to denie baby boomers from state benifits and from SSI and SSD where already calulated in long befor our 1st troops deployed.
Its a shame that we the people can not follow to the letter the way Goverment conducts its own business on backs of ants.
In 1999 I already heard of Goverment plans and provideing states w guildlines -regarding disquilifing vets and baby boomers espically in yr of 2007 and by 2010 there will be no funds available for SSI and SSD and state progran benifits will be cut. I could be wrong but being that SSI is social sercurity insurance that we worked for and paid into will i feel that those who are recieveing thier retirement SSI checks the amount of thier retirment checks will decress. so no extry money for meds are grocery - out w the old and those over 50 :I
But yet again USA goverment has been bankrupt for yrs we are basically a bank for the world w out our own money except that which Goverment obtains barrowed money thur loans and collateral being Our buiness's, land and earned benifits.
Japan has 1st dibs on buying Spint offc and brach offcs and wearhouses and Spint business itself. My Sister in law home being Japan, says that we the people have nothing left to give and barter w except for our county land. She says she has better state benifits and insurance in Japen than she can obtain in USA. she lives and has lived in US for over 40ty yrs.
If possible keep post up regarding our vets and states new policys.
Thank you for your time and aassistance.
By Admiral July 19, 2008 2:54am
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This is how the government repays people who killed for them.
By 1CrazyGuy July 4, 2008 5:01pm
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The person in question, .. NORMA PEREZ did a lot more than what the article says. Right after taking her new position, she informed the VIET NAM VETS that the program they had been going to for AT LEAST 5 YEARS would be discontinued at the Temple VA. It was moved to a satellite office about 40 miles away, .. in a small town. I have heard it is all VN VETS,... no psychiatrist present,... a monthly group meeting of PATIENTS, ... but this has not been verified by me. The point is she DID discontinue treatment for VIET NAM vets (only) at the Temple facility. She also misrepresented herself on her credentials, .. something about Brown University, . I did not get the details. I mentioned her to another VN Vet in Georgia (Temple is in TX) and, to my huge surprise, he replied "I have known her for 12 years. She is a demon" (whatever that means). The longer they resist benefits for VN vets, the more give up or die. It is to THEIR benefit to NOT give benefits. I might add, the Temple entire VA PTSD staff has "turned over" at least 3 times in 5 years.
By WanderingVet July 2, 2008 8:33pm
19
I have been a PTSD patient at the Temple TX VA since 2003. There has been a tremendous turnover in staff over that period of time,.. all the way up and down the scale. The program there has deteriorated drastically. It is virtually no longer available to Viet Nam vets. I could go into detail, but I can't at this time to protect my own position. What your article brings out is the tip of the iceberg, in my opinion.
By WanderingVet June 23, 2008 4:52pm
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This is an outrage! It seems our government doesn't want to be in charge of the country and does everything for themselves instead. We never get to have an opinion, elections, rallies, etc. etc. If you write to your local newspaper, you only get shot down by other people that write in.
StephP
By StephP May 28, 2008 7:30pm
17
I agree, the DSM IV criteria is enough to diagnose these Vets. No extensive testing is needed. Spending $ on Neuro-Psych Testing, Sleep Studies and such is not needed to diagnose PTSD...it can help QUANTIFY how bad the PTSD is.
It last longer than the Acute Stress Disorder, it's PTSD...look at the Vietnam Vets still suffering.
By TLCDaisy May 28, 2008 2:05am
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That is just total BS. These Vets NEED and DESERVE the compensation for their PTSD.
I have PTSD myself from Childhood Sexual Abuse that didn't get diagnosed until I was 32, but had it for 4 years prior to that. It's turned my life upside down, affected my cognitive abilities...and I was a sharp Cardiac Nurse prior to this.
I am struggling to get my Social Security Disability Benefits, so I can take this time to heal myself, and hopefully re-gain some of my cognitive abilities back.
It angers me to see the Vets struggling to get their PTSD Treated appropriately.
I wouldn't wish PTSD on ANYONE! PTSD SUCKS the LIVING LIFE out of one.
And, finding a good Pdoc and therapist is hard to find! Third time was a charm for me, but it took me a whole year to find the right PDoc and therapist.
Onward with my healing, and still without SSD...I'm at the hearing stage b/c the stupid Pdoc's office didn't send in my records...ARGH!
By TLCDaisy May 28, 2008 2:01am
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This makes me sick!!! Not diagnosing them is like handing them a death sentence. It should be illegal to do this. Itd be like just sitting back when someone else was dying and doing nothing about it. Terrible terrible.
By shaN03 May 27, 2008 11:21pm
14
I'm not a therapist of any kind, but I am the mother of a vet who suffers from PSTD. My son spent a year in Iraq in 2005 and is clearly suffering from PSTD, even I can see that! My son can't sleep because of the nightmares he still has. He drinks heavily because of this, he says it's the only way he can get sleep. My son is in the Army National Guard and the only help he gets is when he goes for his weekend drills. How much help can he get one weekend a month when they have their training to do? Now, he is preparing for another deployment. This time to Egypt. I worry constantly about him, and he avoids spending time with his family and avoids children. I can only pray that someone finds a way to help these men and women. They deserve so much better for what they are doing for our freedom and safety!!
By darlamyangel May 27, 2008 1:05am
13
As a psychotherapist in NY and a combat vet of Beirut in 1984, I can say that this is not unusual. I will also go a step futher and say that the death toll although tragic by all means is nothing compared to the collaborative cost of the effects of war that the VA knows are comming. Although PTSD is evident in many cases, it as are most anxiety disorders co morbid with self injurous behaviors such as substance abuse, eating disorders, hypersexuality and gambling to name a few. When have you heard anyone discuss who is going to pick up the tab for this. I dare say that the individual communities will be overwhelmed by these issues at the local level, look to the states, who in turn will seek federal funding who is still asking for money to corrupt the lives of our children. I am sorry to be so long winded and passionate about the subject but if President Select Bush has a 72% disapproval rating, there is 28% who believe him a sucess. That is who I would like to hear from becaue I am yet to meet one. My Love to all.
By brooder125 May 26, 2008 12:32pm
12
WTF kind of sh*t is that? VA needs to get up and take quick action and get this crap ramrodded and down the toilet before they find more alter diagnoses to come up with for our veterans!
By SuyB May 26, 2008 10:38am
11
Yes, I am with you. When the medical profession is run and ruled by insurance administrators, diagnoses then become a game of statistics rather than what is in the best interest of the person. The sad truth in this country is that the medical profession is not ALLOWED to treat their patients. They are required to meet quotas, limit diagnoses and push certain types of treatments, whether they fit the disease or not. The VA would be no different. The VA is acutely aware that there will be an onslaught of PTSD with the returning vets, so there should be NO reason whatsoever for this psychologist to have done this, even if she was concerned about "overdiagnosing." These are people who have given up a significant part of their life and youth to serve this country in a time of war, and they at the very least deserve the benefit of the doubt. What they experienced has changed their life and their outlook on humanity, and they deserve the best that the medical community has to offer. That is NOT being part of the perfect statistical distribution, but the right diagnoses and treatments.
By revpatty May 26, 2008 10:06am
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Sounds like typical Government backstabbing to me. They're anxious to send people off to war but when they come home broken they don't want to pay to 'fix' them. Also sounds like typical HMO style penny pinching. Don't diagnose a disorder as what it is because it'll cost more to cure. Heaven help us we don't want to SPEND any more money to HELP people when we could use it to boost our bottom line and impress stockholders! That's about what this country has devolved into. It ain't gonna get better. Only worse.
By ALC67 May 24, 2008 11:47pm