Further, they underscore the importance of integrating mental health services in primary care settings. Previous research has shown that older veterans tend to report mental health concerns to their primary care provider rather than seek specialty mental health treatment; they also underreport symptoms related to emotional difficulties and overreport somatic complaints.
Perhaps most important from a public health perspective, the researchers say, is that current findings suggest that veterans with co-occurring PTSD/MDD represent a “particularly high-risk group” for cardiovascular problems. The issue, they emphasize, “deserves careful attention” from the VA and other health care systems.