Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression in Military Members

The brave and honorable men and women of the armed forces of America that we send into fields of combat to defend us against terror, violations to our sovereign nation, and to protect our basic human rights are impacted greatly by the realities of war, and require our best and most compassionate nursing care. A critical review of evidence-based literature addressing screening and detection, barriers to treatment, treatment methods, and programs of care for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression in active duty military members was conducted using the Galvan method. The Oncology Nurses Society (ONS) levels of evidence and weight of evidence scales were used to critique and analyze current research. Programs of care and their evaluation were reviewed. Gaps in research were identified and suggestions for evidence-based treatment and program evaluation of evidence-based treatment of PTSD and depression in military members are detailed.