Multiple studies have found that Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans are at high risk for developing a number of physical and mental health problems, including chronic pain, smoking, difficulties managing anger, suicide, PTSD and depression. The presence of depression, in addition to PTSD, among OEF/OIF veterans is a serious issue. Although there are a number of effective treatments available for PTSD, depression may interfere with people seeking out or sticking with these treatments. For this reason, mental health professionals are beginning to develop specialized treatments for OEF/OIF veterans that combine elements of effective treatments for PTSD with elements of effective treatments for depression. One group of researchers at the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center and the Medical University of South Carolina developed such an intervention that combines exposure therapy with behavioral activation. You can learn about this exciting new treatment approach here.
