Q&A
Council member inquires about PTSD effects on veterans' families
2:04:03
·
146 sec
Council Member Holden asks Dr. Pomerenke about the symptoms and challenges faced by family members of veterans with PTSD. Dr. Pomerenke explains the various issues observed in spouses, parents, siblings, and children of veterans with PTSD, including anxiety, behavioral problems, and difficulties in accessing mental health care.
- Spouses, parents, and siblings often experience increased anxiety and struggle to understand how to help the veteran
- Children may show increased anxiety, behavioral problems, and feel pressured to take on more responsibilities
- Access to mental health care is limited and often expensive for family members of veterans in New York City
Robert F. Holden
2:04:03
you, Doctor.
2:04:04
I have a question or a couple of questions.
2:04:07
Tell us what what you're seeing with family members because that's what this hearing is about of veterans with post traumatic stress disorder.
2:04:17
What kind of Not not only what kind of treatment they're getting, but what are some of the symptoms that you're recognizing from the family members, children, especially.
Justin Pomerenke
2:04:30
Children, especially.
2:04:31
So among spouses, parents, siblings, you know, a lot of what we see is, I think, is increased anxiety, wanting to be able to help their the service member in their life and not entirely understanding how to do so or how to seek care for themselves even.
2:04:46
Mental health care in in New York City can be a very expensive thing, and there's oftentimes barriers to accessing that quickly.
2:04:53
So, yeah, increased anxiety, just wanting to make sure that their their veteran is is well cared for and trying to understand what the what why they are reacting or having the difficulties that they are.
2:05:08
With children of veterans, you know, especially veterans of PTSD, it's not uncommon to see also increased anxiety, some some behavioral problems, among teens, especially if, you know, substance use is a component of it.
2:05:23
There can be younger members of the family who feel like they have to take more kinda grow up quick.
2:05:32
Right?
2:05:32
Like, take over responsibilities pretty quickly and feel the stress related to that.
2:05:40
So, you know, it it really runs into the gamut in terms of what we see and depending on the the specific family dynamic.
2:05:48
But speaking to, I think, some of what's been said before, like, initially, the priority is just having access to mental health care, and unfortunately, there isn't a lot of that for family members of veterans in the city.
2:06:06
Some programs at the VAs when it comes to a couples therapy, And then, additionally, some providers that maybe have been trained in VAs and are are familiar with military culture.
2:06:18
But oftentimes, that comes at a price that might not be accessible.
Robert F. Holden
2:06:22
Right.
2:06:22
And just trying to get the family members there, for the treatment is probably very difficult.
2:06:28
But Yeah.
