Evidence-Based Treatments for Military-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Veterans Affairs Setting

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder that impacts upwards of 30% of Veterans in their lifetimes. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments identified that have been shown to decrease symptoms and improve quality of life. Given that many Veterans with PTSD first present to primary care settings, it is important to consider the role of PCPs in the initial assessment of symptoms, delivery of care, and referral process. The purpose of this article is to describe the salient features of PTSD, the assessment and treatment of PTSD with a special focus on the military Veteran population in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) setting, and to discuss implications for a general medical setting.