ptsd Ptsd Claim Approved- Hoow Do I Get Into Group Therapy Sessions?

[mrs rockman (widow of vet)]

I am writing this for Rockman.

I was not sure if this was the right forum or not. If not, you can place it where it does belong.

Rockman went to his his last one on one CPT therapy on 03/07/11 at our local CBOC with his mental health lady.

The mental health lady had him make an appointment for one month out. That way he could see how he was doing without coming to her.

His PTSD C& P was on 03/08/11. When he went back to see her, he asked if she could see in his file as what he should do next. He told her that the examiner did diagnose him with PTSD. She had no clue as to how to look it up in his file. Rockman asked her about group therapy and she did not know what to do. She said that she would find out and call him. He called her back several days later and she did not know anything and it was like don't call me, I will call you. It is like she is saying" thank you for your insurance money and you have a good day now and the heck with you. I am done period. "

She did say that the group that comes weekly near our house is more of a social gathering. He would not mind that, but right now knows that he needs more. He may be able to go to both.

What should he do now? Should he try and call his PCP @ the same VA CBOC or could that cause trouble? We do not want trouble, he just wants to attend group therapy.

It took him almost 40 years and now he wants to, it just seems that she could care less.

The longer he waits for group, he has more of a possibility of going in the reverse direction and undoing it all. If he does that, he may say- heck with it all.

At the end of his PTSD C&P C-File, it has this:

5. If possible state prognosis for improvement of psychiatric condition and impairment in functional status:

The prognosis for him is guarded.

I believe that this says it all.

Help-I feel for him and want to see him get the help he needs and deservers.

Mrs. Rockmsn

[Rangerwaldo]

Hi Mrs. Rockman,

They are going to start me off in group ( not crazy about that) and then down the line one on one. Like anything else with VA, Keep knocking on the door!

Best,

Waldo

[mrs rockman (widow of vet)]

Hi Mrs. Rockman,

They are going to start me off in group ( not crazy about that) and then down the line one on one. Like anything else with VA, Keep knocking on the door!

Best,

Waldo

Yes, if you keep knocking on the door---sooner or later, probably later- they will come to the door and answer it.

[Susan]

Thanks. We live over 80 miles from the VAMC. Can they send him to somewhere closer to our house or do we have to drive that all of the time? Do they try to contract it out when you lilve in a rural area? That is remarkable that your husband did keep up with his appointments. That is very important. Thank you for your imput and you have a blessed day!

Mrs. Rockman

The VA contracted a psychologist within ten miles of where we lived in a town of 35,000 people. My husband had a good rapport with others in a similar situation in the group and the doctor was very good. I believe they all enjoyed the group from what I could tell without being there or knowing what went on. My husband called himself a "loner" ,so I was amazed that he wanted so much to be a part of the group. They were supportive of each other. It does us all good in jobs and other situations to know that we are not the only one who feels the way we do.

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Glad you are getting options to get into group or one on one sessions.

Susan

[john999]

Go to a Vet Center. They usually have groups going all the time.

[mrs rockman (widow of vet)]

Go to a Vet Center. They usually have groups going all the time.

Thanks. Is there much difference in going to a Vet Center and going to your VAMC for group? I know the VA has numerous groups for the PTSD and I am sure the Vet Center does also. The Mental Health Department in Memphis did say that the psychologist does need to do a consult for Rockman. He has to have a consult to get into a group.

This will also give us travel pay to go to Memphis and I guess then it will be also in his VA records. We need to have all of the paper trails that we can.

With only working 2 days a week, he still is having a hard time with the PTSD and stress of the job. He sees the inmates at work as the enemy. When he gets through burning up his paid time off, he will file for short term disability. Then, he will file for an increase for h is PTSD. He will then file for SSDI.

Again, thank you all again for all of your input.

Mrs. Rockman

[john999]

One thing you don't want to do is to let the VA make the claim that it is the stress of his job that is the reason he is becoming unemployable. You want to relate everything to his service experience. If he sees inmates as the enemy it is because of military experience. If he has PTSD it is not due to working with inmates but due to military. When a cop files for PTSD the VA may say that his experience as a cop is the true stressor and cause of his current PTSD. The job may aggravate his PTSD but it should all point towards military experince as the principal cause. Rockman should always keep this in mind every time he opens his mouth at the VA. You want a papertrail but you want one that helps you.