Yoga may help veterans with depression and anxiety symptoms.
There are few people in the U.S. who are more deserving of a restful summer vacation than military veterans who served their country in Iraq, Afghanistan and other regions. However, if a veteran were to be living with depression and anxiety symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), enjoying any aspect of life, including a vacation, may be difficult.
According to Rob Schware, a yoga columnist for the Huffington Post, PTSD may cause nightmares, insomnia, chronic pain and problems with interpersonal relationships. Of the 2 million servicemembers who went to Iraq or Afghanistan, up to 37 percent may be dealing with mental health issues.
However, yoga may prove to be a valuable tool.
"Yoga is being offered in some VA medical centers to help address unmet mental health needs. In fact, a recent study found that nearly 30 percent of Specialized PTSD Treatment Programs offer yoga as a treatment option," Schware wrote. "But is this enough?"
Rather than waiting for the VA to catch up, veterans may want to seek out other community resources, such as the Veterans Warrior Project or Warriors at Ease. Local Oregon yoga classes may also be helpful.
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Tags: depression and anxiety, depression and anxiety symptoms, Oregon yoga, Oregon yoga classes
