title: Treatment-seeking barriers for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts who screen positive for PTSD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Barriers associated with the decision not to seek treatment for symptoms of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 143 military men and women who served in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) and who screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as assessed by the PTSD Checklist-Military Version, and who had not sought treatment for PTSD. During a cognitive-behavioral telephone intervention, participants were asked about their beliefs concerning seeking PTSD treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four categories of beliefs were associated with the decision to seek treatment, including concerns about treatment (40%), emotional readiness for treatment (35%), stigma (16%), and logistical issues (8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This work suggests areas for intervention efforts to minimize barriers to treatment for PTSD for OEF/OIF veterans.
authors: Psychiatric Research Center, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA. tracy.stecker@dartmouth.edu
authors: Tracy
authors: T
authors: Stecker
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Shiner
authors: Bradley V
authors: BV
authors: Watts
authors: Meissa
authors: M
authors: Jones
authors: Kenneth R
authors: KR
authors: Conner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D057189:Checklist; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult