Invisible Wounds

Sleep

VA Says 68,000 Vets Addicted to Opioid Painkillers

Eric Newhouse on January 23, 2017

Opioid painkillers are addictive, but the VA has been prescribing them to about a half million vets—and treating nearly 70,000 of them for addiction to their meds.

Opioid painkillers are addictive, but the VA has been prescribing them to about a half million vets—and treating nearly 70,000 of them for addiction to their meds.

Addiction

Opioid Abuse May Be Fueling a Heroin Epidemic

Eric Newhouse on January 19, 2017

Prescriptions for painkillers like OxyContin have soared in recent years, then dropped way back. Some who became addicted to opioids are now believed to be turning to heroin.

Prescriptions for painkillers like OxyContin have soared in recent years, then dropped way back. Some who became addicted to opioids are now believed to be turning to heroin.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Recovering From PTSD With the Right Help

Eric Newhouse on November 29, 2016

I personally know the exhilaration of sitting atop a mountain peak in Montana. Building positive memories like this are important in overriding the memories of trauma.

I personally know the exhilaration of sitting atop a mountain peak in Montana. Building positive memories like this are important in overriding the memories of trauma.

Trauma

Getting It Off Your Chest

Eric Newhouse on September 13, 2016

Julie Davey is a journalism professor who has been teaching cancer survivors and U.S. Marines at Camp Pendleton how to write about their traumas as therapy.

Julie Davey is a journalism professor who has been teaching cancer survivors and U.S. Marines at Camp Pendleton how to write about their traumas as therapy.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Study: Some PTSD May Result From Blast Concussion

Eric Newhouse on July 7, 2016

Researchers find a distinct pattern of scarring in the brains of soldiers who experienced concussive blasts and believe they may have caused post traumatic stress disorder.

Researchers find a distinct pattern of scarring in the brains of soldiers who experienced concussive blasts and believe they may have caused post traumatic stress disorder.

Resilience

Why Are Some Soldiers With Combat Stress More Resilient?

Eric Newhouse on June 7, 2016

Researchers in San Diego have found genetic differences in two groups of combat vets—those with PTSD and those without it—that may explain why some are more resilient.

Researchers in San Diego have found genetic differences in two groups of combat vets—those with PTSD and those without it—that may explain why some are more resilient.

Trauma

Talking Out Military Sexual Trauma

Eric Newhouse on April 18, 2016

Jennifer Sluga told the VA's "poet-in-residence," Thor Ringler, about her sexual abuse so her VA caregivers would understand her concerns, but it became a liberating experience.

Jennifer Sluga told the VA's "poet-in-residence," Thor Ringler, about her sexual abuse so her VA caregivers would understand her concerns, but it became a liberating experience.

Gratitude

An Oral History Program to Tell Veterans' Stories

Eric Newhouse on March 22, 2016

Thor Ringler, the VA's "poet-in-residence," spearheads a pilot program of taking oral histories from vets. It's been so successful that the program is being copied around the VA.

Thor Ringler, the VA's "poet-in-residence," spearheads a pilot program of taking oral histories from vets. It's been so successful that the program is being copied around the VA.

Moral Injury

One Soldier's Struggle With Torture, Trauma and Moral Injury

Eric Newhouse on February 11, 2016

LTC Bill Edmonds was put in an impossible situation: forced to decide between allowing torture to save American lives or risking death to American soldiers.

LTC Bill Edmonds was put in an impossible situation: forced to decide between allowing torture to save American lives or risking death to American soldiers.

Traumatic Brain Injury

After Three Years, Justice from the VA

Eric Newhouse on February 8, 2016

VA finally upgrades former Army Capt. Charles Gatlin's TBI disability rating, but one question remains: Why did it take them three years to read his DoD medical records?

VA finally upgrades former Army Capt. Charles Gatlin's TBI disability rating, but one question remains: Why did it take them three years to read his DoD medical records?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Vets' Aftercare Should be Calculated as a Cost of War

Eric Newhouse on January 5, 2016

Before going to war, our government should be prepared to provide post-war help for its soldiers. One mom's letter demonstrates the extent of our failure to do so.

Before going to war, our government should be prepared to provide post-war help for its soldiers. One mom's letter demonstrates the extent of our failure to do so.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Should Someone be Accountable for Acts He Can't Control?

Eric Newhouse on January 2, 2016

PennLaw Professor Stephen J. Morse suggests a new legal plea to reflect disorders like PTSD in which some vets may have cognitive or control deficits that limit their culpability.

PennLaw Professor Stephen J. Morse suggests a new legal plea to reflect disorders like PTSD in which some vets may have cognitive or control deficits that limit their culpability.

Trauma

Vets Experiencing Trauma Can't Respond to Reason

Eric Newhouse on December 17, 2015

One prominent neuroscientist is finding that the rational brain shuts down in traumatic situations, leaving emotions in control. That means a new approach to therapy.

One prominent neuroscientist is finding that the rational brain shuts down in traumatic situations, leaving emotions in control. That means a new approach to therapy.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

VA Therapists Help Vets Wrestle With Moral Injuries

Eric Newhouse on December 14, 2015

What a soldier did to his perceived enemies (or failed to do for his buddies) may haunt him for years because moral lapses can't be excused in hindsight.

What a soldier did to his perceived enemies (or failed to do for his buddies) may haunt him for years because moral lapses can't be excused in hindsight.

Trauma

Facing Trauma May Be Good Therapy

Eric Newhouse on December 11, 2015

Dr. Edna Foa (left) makes the case for prolonged exposure therapy at a CERL conference on PTSD in Philadelphia, but says she doesn't think moral injury is a useful concept.

Dr. Edna Foa (left) makes the case for prolonged exposure therapy at a CERL conference on PTSD in Philadelphia, but says she doesn't think moral injury is a useful concept.

Moral Injury

Betrayal of Trust Can Result in Moral Injury

Eric Newhouse on December 9, 2015

Moral injury can occur when a soldier is ordered to do something that violates his moral code. And that may explain the rise in military/veteran suicides.

Moral injury can occur when a soldier is ordered to do something that violates his moral code. And that may explain the rise in military/veteran suicides.

Depression

Honoring Fallen Comrades of War in Indochina

Eric Newhouse on November 9, 2015

Stuart Allen Beckley, a retired lieutenant colonel, restored his own sense of honor by honoring comrades in arms who died in Indochina. His monument on a remote ridgetop in in Colorado, was largely unknown until a group of bikers found it recently and posted this image on YouTube.

Stuart Allen Beckley, a retired lieutenant colonel, restored his own sense of honor by honoring comrades in arms who died in Indochina. His monument on a remote ridgetop in in Colorado, was largely unknown until a group of bikers found it recently and posted this image on YouTube.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Journalists Can Be Nearly as Prone to PTSD as Combat Vets

Eric Newhouse on October 6, 2015

Recent studies show that war correspondents and photojournalists covering combat may have five times the normal rate of PTSD. Some national and international news organizations are now offering counseling to employees who are having trouble processing what they've seen on the job.

Recent studies show that war correspondents and photojournalists covering combat may have five times the normal rate of PTSD. Some national and international news organizations are now offering counseling to employees who are having trouble processing what they've seen on the job.

Kewon Potts, a Navy veteran, was one of 25-plus vets being given new suits, dress shirts and ties this month to wear to job interviews. The Save-a-Suit foundation and its founder, Scott Sokolowski, believe it's important to dress for success because it improves the interviewer's critical first impression and builds the vets' confidence.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

How Hurricane Katrina Affected One Journalist's Life

Eric Newhouse on September 9, 2015

My friend and colleague Charlotte Porter finally has written about how devastated she was after living through Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. It's a reminder that journalists are humans who are affected by natural disasters. News organizations need to provide counseling, as needed, for their war correspondents and journalists covering natural disasters.

My friend and colleague Charlotte Porter finally has written about how devastated she was after living through Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. It's a reminder that journalists are humans who are affected by natural disasters. News organizations need to provide counseling, as needed, for their war correspondents and journalists covering natural disasters.