New therapy to treat PTSD for veterans

The Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite today launched a new world-first therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Department of Veterans’ Affairs, in partnership with the Department of Defence and Phoenix Australia, has developed this innovative new method, which is an accelerated and effective treatment that is now being offered to help improve the lives of veterans and Defence members through Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling.

It is a sad reality that veterans experience symptoms of PTSD at higher rates than the broader Australian community. For many years now, prolonged exposure (PE) therapy has been one of the best ways to treat PTSD and improve quality of life for veterans. This PE is a form of cognitive behaviour therapy. It teaches patients how to approach trauma-related memories in a safe and controlled way. It is human nature to avoid things that remind us of past trauma. But doing so can reinforce feelings of fear. By facing what has been avoided a patient can decrease symptoms of PTSD. This is PE’s objective.

The Rapid Exposure Supporting Trauma Recovery (RESTORE) trial investigated a new method of delivering PTSD treatment through an intensive form of exposure therapy delivered within a two-week period, instead of the usual 10.

The results show this new method of treatment to be equally as effective as standard treatment while potentially offering additional lifestyle benefits. Over half of the participants in the trial lost their diagnosis of PTSD. Participants were also 4 times less likely to drop out of the condensed version of the therapy than the standard model.

The 10 week duration of PE therapy can be difficult for current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel to commit to, especially if they are transitioning from the military or seeking employment.

RESTORE is about offering veterans a choice. Both forms of treatment, the standard and condensed, are now available for serving and ex-serving Defence personnel through Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling. Veterans can feel empowered to choose a therapy that best suits their circumstances.

To find out more, contact Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or visit the Open Arms website.

Full details about the RESTORE trial, including associated findings, are published in the Psychological Medicine Journal.