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Face Your Fears: PTSD Treatments Work

Scott Richards, Army Veteran
“I encourage other Veterans to trust the process, it works. And, trust the staff, they care. I found a truly knowledgeable and caring staff both at the main facility and the Domiciliary.” - Scott Richards, U.S. Army Veteran

There are currently about 8 million people in the United States with Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including U.S. Army Veteran Scott Richards.

There are currently about 8 million people in the United States with Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including U.S. Army Veteran Scott Richards. Even though PTSD treatments work, most people who have PTSD don't get the help they need. Thankfully, Scott chose to get the help he needed.

In 1989, Scott medically retired from the Army after suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). He then chose to get care at the Butler VA Health Care System for PTSD and drug/alcohol addiction. He received one-on-one counseling at the Abie Abraham VA Clinic as well as inpatient treatment at the Butler VA’s Domiciliary.

Choosing Treatment

No one treatment is right for everyone. What Scott found the most helpful for him in his recovery efforts was the variety of options available for his individual needs, two of which included Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and specific cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) for PTSD.

  • CPT teaches you to reframe negative thoughts about the trauma. It involves talking with your provider about your negative thoughts and doing short writing assignments.
  • CBTs include a limited number of psychotherapies shown to work for PTSD where the provider helps you learn how to change unhelpful behaviors or thoughts.

Veterans, talk with your health care team to determine which treatment is best for you.

Trust the Process

Some people are uncomfortable with the idea of seeking PTSD treatment because of concerns with stigma or worries about having to talk about difficult life experiences. For Scott, the most challenging aspect was trust; his ability to trust others, especially with his emotions.

The “how” of it all for Scott came down to three things:

  1. Honesty: Being honest with himself and others
  2. Open Mindedness: Learning to listen to the experts
  3. Willingness: Putting into practice what he had learned

“I encourage other Veterans to trust the process, it works. And, trust the staff, they care. I found a truly knowledgeable and caring staff both at the main facility and the Domiciliary.”

Don’t Suffer in Silence

PTSD treatment and other mental health treatments are available at the Butler VA. Talk to your health care team today. Learn more at www.va.gov/butler-health-care/health-services/mental-health-care/.