PTSD Is Far More Prevalent in America Than Once Thought
August 08, 2022
PTSD is more prevalent in the U.S. than was once thought. The estimated cost of providing health services to those suffering from it is higher than treating anxiety and depression – considered relatively commonplace in society today.
The estimated cost of treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was $232.2 billion in 2018. You can read the article detailing the facts and figures online in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, published April 25, 2022.
The high cost of dealing with PTSD indicates there is even more reason to push forward to discover better and newer treatments, improve access to existing therapies and treatments, and expand rehabilitation and recovery programs. It is no secret that trying to understand and grasp the complex nature of PTSD is at the top of the list for Veteran’s Affairs (VA). Its presence has dogged military members since the war in Vietnam.
Although symptoms are well-known to veterans, what is now just coming to light is that civilians are also being affected by PTSD. They’re dealing with the same symptoms and re-experiencing trauma in their lives the same way those who serve the nation in the Armed Forces have been and are daily. An interesting fact brought forward in this recent study is that civilians made up 82 percent of the total cost of treating PTSD. The military, active-duty, and veterans made up 18 percent.
In today’s unsettled global community, people are teetering on the brink of deep anger, dealing with fear, dread, and the possible triggering of WWIII. Also, of note in the study is that women show higher levels of PTSD symptoms compared to men.
While drugs may help some people with PTSD, they may not help others. Each experiences PTSD symptoms differently, and what works for one person may not work for the next. Thus, there is an urgent need to help treat and rehabilitate people with PTSD. The FDA has approved no new drugs since two drugs were approved 20 years ago.
While there are effective treatments available, the need for even more advancement in treating PTSD grows each year. Increasing the treatment options could help those needing this kind of intervention and reduce the overall economic costs to society.
Veteran benefits are a well-deserved benefit. If you have run into difficulties seeking veteran’s benefits, Legal Help For Veterans is here to help. We are a nationwide VA Disability law firm that assists veterans and their family members in federal VA benefit matters.
Legal Help for Veterans PLLC has a national practice representing veterans from across the country. We have helped veterans collect over $30,000,000 annually in future and retroactive benefits.