Impact of PTSD on Mental Health
At the time of the survey more than twenty years after the war, thirty percent of American Indian and Alaska Native Vietnam veterans suffered from PTSD. This is twice the rate as that among white Vietnam veterans. Fully half of the Native veterans have had PTSD at some time in their lives since Vietnam - again at least twice as high a rate as that for white Vietnam veterans.
PTSD rarely occurs alone. This complicates the symptom picture and often makes diagnosis and treatment complex tasks. Common comorbidities include depression, panic disorder, and substance abuse. As many as 1 in 10 American Indian and Alaska Native veterans are seriously depressed - four times the rate for white veterans. Further, 1 in 12 Native American veterans have had panic disorder at some time since Vietnam. This is more than four times the rate for white, black, or Hispanic Vietnam veterans. Again, PTSD is the key factor. Native veterans without PTSD rarely experience severe panic attacks.
Approximately 90% of those American Indian and Alaska Native Vietnam veterans with PTSD also suffer from alcohol problems. Among all those seeking treatment for PTSD, up to 80% have at least one additional psychiatric diagnosis in these major categories:
- Alcohol abuse or other chemical dependency [60-80%]
- Affective disorders [26-65%]
- Anxiety disorders [30-60%]
- Personality disorders [40-60%]
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