Research shows vets suffering from PTSD benefit from meditation

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Oct 8, 2013

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Research shows vets suffering from PTSD benefit from meditation

For military veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, medication and counseling can be a first line of defense, if they can get an appointment at the V.A., that is.

Soldiers with the 1st Infantry Division bow their heads in prayer before a deployment ceremony for another tour in Iraq August 13, 2009 at Fort Riley, Kansas. The Army requires all soldiers take suicide awareness classes as longer and more frequent deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan in recent years have taken a toll. Thousands of soldiers have returned from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental difficulties.

For military veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, medication and counseling can be a first line of defense, if they can get an appointment at the V.A., that is.

But now research by the VA and others is showing that relief for PTSD symptoms like depression, anxiety and anger can be found in the ancient practice of meditation. Simply slowing down the mind and carefully breathing can help, and that's exactly the goal of a program sponsored by the San Francisco Zen Center. It's called Honoring the Path of the Warrior.

The California Report's Scott Schafer has the story.