title: An evolving integrative treatment program for military sexual trauma (MST) and one veteran's experience.
abstract: Military sexual trauma (MST) increases the risk for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and multiple other comorbidities, presenting substantial challenges for nurses and psychiatric and medical clinicians. A specialized VA Medical Center outpatient program is patterned after Herman's three-phased, empirically-supported, recovery treatments. We use a case example of a female veteran MST survivor to illustrate our treatment model. She presented to our program meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and a history of substance abuse. Post-treatment she demonstrated improved scores on measures of PTSD, quality of life, and socialization. This model shows promise for treatment of MST survivors with PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Atlanta VA Medical Center, Trauma Recovery Program, Decatur, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Ferdinand
authors.forename: Ursula A
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skelton
authors.forename: Kisha J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: Bekh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*