Prolonged Exposure Therapy Helping PTSD in US Veterans

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has 2 aspects to it: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). PE is slightly more restrictive than CPT but can generate better results in more targeted cases of US veterans with PTSD.

To practice PE the veteran is directed to re-experience the exact traumatic events that caused their PTSD symptoms. Repeated confrontation of the traumatic event when done in tandem with a therapist to coach positive responses allows the veteran to begin re-learning how to process these thoughts and experiences.

In most cases PE is done in the safety of a therapist's office so the exposure can be done in a controlled setting. By focusing on positive thoughts and confronting the trauma, the veteran can begin to cope with what happened and be able to identify what triggers cause their PTSD symptoms.

Hypnotherapy is often used in combination with PE to disconnect negative emotions with the traumatic experience. By replacing the negative thoughts and feelings with a relaxed, positive state the veteran can soon disassociate normal events like crowds and loud noises as triggers for anxiety and panic attacks.

There are many other non-invasive, drug-free therapies that work similar to CPT and PE. As PTSD continues to become more accepted in society as a serious disabling disorder organizations like Care for Disabled Veterans will continue to find new ways to connect veterans with PTSD and other disabilities to these resources!

You Have the Power to Help a Disabled American Veteran!

Our veterans deserve the utmost care and respect in exchange for their sacrifice and service to our country, yet many suffer with disabling medical conditions and illness and struggle to make ends meet after life in the service. At Care for Disabled Veterans our goal is to assist qualified veterans in obtaining the medical evidence they need to seek their rightful benefits for combat-related disabilities.