What we Can Learn from the Rand Corp. Study

Yesterday the Rand Corp released the results of their study of 40,000 cases of military veterans who had been diagnosed with PTSD. They found that only a third of troops with PTSD and less than a quarter who are clinically depressed receive the minimum number of therapy sessions after being diagnosed. (Rand Corp. 2016). Rand claims that it is the largest independent examination of mental health treatment in the military. Some believe that the reason the follow through was low because either the soldier saw seeking treatment as admitting weakness or that many were in denial about their symptoms.

As therapists who work with men and women who might present with PTSD as a result of an abortion decision, there may be some parallels to learn from. Based on the number of those that have had abortions, it is a high likelihood that a client will present with an abortion in their history on a fairly regular basis. In my work with men who have had an abortion decision in their past, just like in the Rand Corp. study, they often would have a difficult time connecting with the pain of their loss or admit that their PTSD symptoms may be related to the past abortion. They also buy into the both social and gender conditioning about stuffing their emotions and being strong. Many would hang onto denial as a way of avoiding the pain if they were to really accept what happen. As I have mentioned in my previous writing, often times how men express their pain is not by admitting it or showing emotions but by externalized symptoms such as addictions, anger etc.
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The Rand Corp. also admitted the need to provide therapy more quickly after the diagnosis of PTSD. The longer PTSD goes untreated the more complex it can become. I have to wonder what ways we as therapists could intervene earlier in client’s lives after they have experienced an abortion decision and what might that intervention look like?

I remember after 911, there was a large movement to get therapists to take Critical Incident Stress Debriefing training. I remember taking the training and what I learned lines up with what much of the research in PTSD studies show. The earlier a traumatized person is able to debrief and receive support the less chance of being diagnosed with PTSD or a more complex PTSD.

I can only imagine the loneliness many feel after an abortion decision. How lonely and isolated that many feel after the “relief stage” wears off. Perhaps we as therapists need to do a better job in partnering with organizations that might come into contact with clients not long after their abortion. We could offer ourselves as resources. Perhaps within the walls of our office we can do our part to normalize and validate clients who present with PTSD like symptoms and may be afraid to admit their relationship they may have to the abortion. For those that work with men, giving them permission to come against social and cultural conditioning. We can respect and not push a client past denial but look for small windows to ask maybe some open questions that may help the client connect with some emotions.

Lets all take note of the Rand Corp Study and see how we might learn some valuable insights and perhaps tools with clients who might present with PTSD symptoms as a result of an abortion in their past or some other trauma that is not easy for clients to talk about, let alone admit the possible correlation of the externalized symptoms that might bring that client to your office in the first place.

Reference
Rand Corp. 2016 Report, “Quality of Care for PTSD and Depression in the Military Health System