Veterans and Mental Health | Psychiatry Treatment Centers

For many veterans, the transition between military and civilian life can come with unique mental health challenges. Seeking support doesn’t always feel easy, but veterans do not have to face these experiences alone. Today, advanced treatments and individualized care offer new options for addressing mental health needs. Psychiatry Treatment Centers is committed to helping veterans take meaningful steps toward improved well-being.

In this article, we’ll explore common mental health concerns among veterans, the challenges that can shape their experiences, and how innovative treatment options may provide support.

Common mental health conditions among veterans

Military service can continue to affect mental, physical, and emotional well-being long after service ends. Exposure to high stress or traumatic events may contribute to a range of mental health needs. Some of the more common concerns among veterans include the following.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Once referred to as “combat fatigue” or “soldier’s heart,” post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects many veterans. PTSD may develop following combat exposure or other traumatic experiences during service. Symptoms can include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, heightened alertness, and difficulty feeling safe in everyday situations.

Clinical depression

Depression is another condition that’s common among veterans. The symptoms can differ between men and women, but they often include persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, losing interest in the activities you usually enjoy, trouble sleeping and more.

Anxiety

Many veterans experience anxiety related to the demands and stressors of military service. While anxiety is a natural response to stress, it may continue after service has ended. Ongoing anxiety may show up as excessive worry, irritability, restlessness, or feeling constantly on edge.

Unique challenges that can affect veterans’ mental health

Veterans’ mental health needs are often shaped by experiences specific to military service. Working with providers who understand these factors can help care feel more informed and supportive. Common challenges may include the following.

Transition to civilian life — Leaving the military can involve adjusting to changes in structure, routine, and sense of purpose.

Stigma and a reluctance to seek help — Many service members are trained to push through discomfort and rely on self-discipline, which may make asking for help feel difficult.

Veteran-specific trauma — Some veterans worry others may not fully understand what they experienced during active duty or how it continues to affect their health.

Coping mechanisms — Without access to healthy coping tools, some individuals may turn to substance use or other behaviors that provide only temporary relief.

Innovative treatments for veterans’ mental health

Many veterans begin care by working with a mental health provider who can assess symptoms and recommend appropriate support. Treatment plans may include counseling, medication management, or skill-building strategies to support daily functioning.

When symptoms remain moderate to severe or have been resistant to standard approaches, advanced treatment options may be considered. Two outpatient options that may complement a broader care plan include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato®.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy

What is TMS?

TMS is an FDA-approved outpatient treatment for major depressive disorder, including anxious depression, and is most often used when symptoms have been resistant to treatment. Treatment-resistant depression generally means that at least two medication trials have not led to sufficient improvement. In some cases, TMS may also be considered for moderate to severe symptoms.

TMS is noninvasive and uses magnetic pulses to stimulate neuronal networks in areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. No anesthesia or recovery time is required.

What treatment typically involves

A standard course of TMS usually includes about 36 sessions delivered over six to eight weeks. Each session typically lasts around 20 minutes, and most individuals are able to return to their daily activities afterward.

How TMS may support veterans

TMS offers an option for veterans who have not experienced enough relief from traditional treatments or who are sensitive to medication side effects. It can be used alongside oral antidepressants and may support improved emotional regulation over time.

Spravato® (esketamine) treatment

What is Spravato®?

Esketamine, marketed under the brand name Spravato®, is approved to treat treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts or actions. It is administered as a nasal spray in combination with an oral antidepressant.

What treatment typically involves

Spravato® is provided in a certified Spravato® (esketamine) treatment center under clinical supervision. Providers guide individuals through administration and monitor them for a required observation period afterward. During this time, individuals rest in a calm environment while clinical staff monitor safety and comfort.

How Spravato® may support veterans

Spravato® may be an option for veterans whose symptoms have not improved with traditional antidepressants or who experience significant side effects from oral medications. For veterans experiencing severe symptoms, like suicidal ideation or PTSD, this can be a life-saving treatment option.

How Psychiatry Treatment Centers supports veterans’ mental health

At PTC, our goal is to effect meaningful change in the lives of our clients. We have clinics across Southern California and Southeast Georgia. While our Georgia locations are focused on telemedicine visits, we’re equipped for TMS therapy in our Hinesville clinic. We serve many military members from the base nearby and accept TRICARE East, as well as other insurance plans.

Reach out to our team by phone today for more information about mental health care for veterans or to schedule an initial consultation. You can also book an appointment online now.