In This Issue

Feature Topic

New Year: New Treatment

A new year brings thoughts of new beginnings. If you are struggling after a recent trauma or one that happened a long time ago, 2016 might be a time to think about a new treatment for PTSD.

There are good treatments available for PTSD. For some people, treatment can get rid of PTSD altogether. For others, it can make symptoms less intense. Treatment gives you the tools to manage symptoms so they don't keep you from living your life.

• Not sure it's PTSD? Take a brief screen and learn why you shouldn't wait to seek help.
• Hesitating to get help? Learn about overcoming barriers to care.
• Don't know what to say to your doctor? Here are some tips that can help you talk to your doctor about trauma and PTSD.

If you know someone struggling with PTSD, we have resources for you. Learn about:

• What you can do to help a family member who has PTSD
• Resources to help you take care of yourself while supporting someone with PTSD.

Resources for Veterans and Their Families

• It's never too late for you or a Veteran you care about to Make the Connection with VA and get help for PTSD.
• Learn how to enroll in VA health care and find VA treatment programs specializing in PTSD.
• Watch and share AboutFace to hear directly from other Veterans and their families.
• Not sure what to say or do to help a Veteran seek treatment? Get tips and learn about VA's Coaching into Care program.

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For Providers

PTSD Lecture Series for All Providers

New! We are excited to announce that free continuing education credits are now available to providers outside of the VA.

• Non-VA Providers: Get more information and register at the TRAIN website.
• VA Providers: Please continue to use TMS.

Next Lectures in the Series

• 1/20 at 2 pm ET - Melissa Foynes, MD on PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma

Mark your calendar for the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2 pm ET/1 pm CT/12 pm PT.

Sign up for PTSD Updates to receive monthly emails that include a registration link and instructions for joining the live lectures.

Consult with PTSD Experts

The PTSD Consultation Program offers free PTSD consultation to any provider who treats Veterans in any setting. This program is now open to Community Providers.

Have a question about PTSD? Contact us:
Call 866-948-7880 or
Email PTSDconsult@va.gov

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Research at the Center

LED Light Therapy for mTBI/PTSD

A pilot study is testing a light intervention designed to improve the functioning of damaged brain tissue among Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and PTSD. Improving brain function may in turn help Veterans with activities of daily life, emotion regulation, and PTSD symptoms.

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PTSD in the News

VA Secretary to Visit Boston Hospital to Tout Research into PTSD, TBI. A story posted January 12, 2016 on the Military.com news site reported that on Friday, January 15, 2016, VA Secretary Robert McDonald will present Dr. Terry Keane, Director of the Behavioral Science Division of the National Center for PTSD, with the 2015 John Blair Barnwell Award, VA's highest honor for outstanding achievement in clinical research. Read more.*

Behavioral changes normal for survivors of severe trauma such as San Bernardino mass shooting, experts say. Dr. Paula Schnurr, Executive Director of the National Center for PTSD, was interviewed for a December 25, 2015 story in the San Bernardino Sun on potential behavioral changes, including PTSD, for survivors of severe trauma. Read more*

PTSD Center Executive Director Receives International Organization's Highest Honor. A story posted December 16, 2015 on the Geisel News Center site (Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth) announced that Dr. Paula Schnurr had been presented with the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization's annual meeting in November. Read more*

Be sure to forward this update to others so they can subscribe. We send one update per month to keep you informed of the latest PTSD developments.

Thank you,

The Staff of VA’s National Center for PTSD

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