that remind them of their traumatic experiences,” says Dr. Fisher. Symptoms can range from anger and negative thoughts to debilitating anxiety and hypervigilance. Some veterans may turn to substance abuse and PTSD also can put veterans at an increased risk for suicide. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 20 veterans die by suicide each day. Current treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, have high dropout rates and limited helpfulness. “Even the most effective therapies and pharmacotherapies for PTSD have success for no more than 50 percent of the patient population for PTSD and even less among veterans,” says Dr. Neria. “It’s doubly shameful because of the fact that this condition – from the standpoint of how scientifically challenging or difficult it may be to understand – should be solvable,” says Jeffrey A. Lieberman, MD, Psychiatrist-in-Chief, NewYork-Presbyterian/ Columbia.
The Man O’ War Project
U.S. Marine Sergeant Matthew Ryba believes equine therapy could help troubled veterans. (Photo courtesy of Man O’ War Project)
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