Conditions We Treat

What you’re experiencing might seem confusing. You might be struggling with relationships, work, sleep, or everyday activities – which could be caused by PTSD, depression, anxiety, or a combination of any of those. A mild traumatic brain injury may complicate matters. Some people may use alcohol or other substances to cope with difficult thoughts or emotions. It can be overwhelming.

EHVP looks at the whole picture.

Before treatment begins, you'll meet with a member of our clinical team for an initial intake evaluation. You don’t need a diagnosis already. We’ll talk about your concerns, symptoms, experiences, clinical needs, and goals. From there, we’ll develop an individualized treatment plan that brings together the services best suited to you.

Your plan may focus on one condition, or you may receive care for several concerns at the same time. Our team provides care for veterans and service members affected by invisible wounds such as:

After a traumatic experience, your brain and body can stay on high alert even when the danger has passed. Effective treatment can help you process what happened and move forward. PTSD may look different from person to person and can start immediately after the trauma or much later. Symptoms of PTSD may include: 

• Nightmares or trouble sleeping
• Unwanted memories or thoughts
• Flashbacks
• Feeling constantly alert, on edge, or easily startled
• Increased anger or irritability
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Avoiding people, places, activities, or situations that remind you of what happened 
• Difficulty reconnecting with everyday life

Depression can affect how you think, feel, interact with others, and move through your day. Depression is treatable. Our team can help you understand your symptoms, identify what matters most to you, and work toward meaningful change. 

Symptoms of depression may include:

• Persistent sadness and crying
• Irritability
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Feeling helpless, hopeless, or worthless
• Trouble with memory or concentration
• Low energy or decreased productivity
• Trouble sleeping
• Changes in appetite
• Pulling away from others
• Thoughts of hurting yourself

Some anxiety is a normal response to stress. But when worry, fear, or physical symptoms begin interfering with your everyday life, treatment can help you understand what is driving your anxiety and identify skills to help you respond differently. Symptoms of anxiety may include: 

• Excessive or uncontrolled worrying
• Feeling tense, restless, or on guard
• Fear of certain situations or activities, such as driving or flying
• Panic attacks
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Upset stomach or digestive problems

Military Sexual Trauma refers to sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment during military service. MST can happen to anyone and includes any sexual activity against one’s will – including assault by physical force, feeling pressured into sexual activities, situations where someone was unable to consent due to intoxication or incapacitation, or repeated sexual harassment. The effects of MST can continue long after the experience itself. Symptoms of MST may include:

• Unwanted or painful memories 
• Nightmares or difficulty sleeping 
• Anxiety or fear
• Depression
• Feeling constantly on guard
• Difficulty trusting or connecting with others

The Emory Healthcare Veterans Program treats MST in a private and supportive environment focusing on what you are experiencing now and what you want to change.

A mild traumatic brain injury may result from a fall, impact, motor vehicle accident, blast exposure or other trauma to the head. Most mild TBIs are also called concussions. For many, symptoms of mTBI resolve themselves in a few weeks. Others, however, experience longer-lasting symptoms called “prolonged post-concussion syndrome.” 

Diagnosing mTBI can be challenging because symptoms are often similar to or can overlap with other mental or physical conditions. Our team can evaluate your concerns and determine whether specialized neuropsychological services may be helpful. Symptoms of mTBI may include: 

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Blurry vision
• Difficulty with memory or concentration
• Irritability and moodiness

Sometimes the use of alcohol or other substances, or other unhealthy behaviors like problem gambling or risky or harmful sexual behaviors become a way to manage stress, difficult emotions, painful memories, or uncomfortable social situations. This can lead to addiction or risky behavior. EHVP treats substance use issues or addiction to unhealthy behaviors that occur alongside another condition we treat. We require that participants remain sober and safe during treatment. Symptoms of substance use issues or addiction may include:

• Using to avoid emotions, feelings, or memories
• Feeling as if using is necessary to be around others in social situations
• Using more or for longer than you intended
• Strong cravings
• Having trouble cutting down or controlling use
• Needing to use more over time to get the same feeling
• Use affecting work, school, relationships or family obligations
• Continued use despite negative effects on your mental or physical health