35W bridge collapse led to PTSD in many survivors

[WCCO-TV, August 01, 2017] The Vietnam War made Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, common knowledge. And on Aug. 1, 2007, the Interstate 35W Bridge collapse brought it to common folks.

Dr. John Sutherland, a PTSD expert with Allina Health says most people will deal with some sort of trauma in their lifetimes. “Most people will have a natural recovery,” Sutherland said.

He has trained extensively in PTSD, and is program manager of addiction medicine at Mercy Hospital’s Unity campus. He says that short-term cognitive behavioral therapies are the most effective treatment of PTSD cases. Getting patients to talk about and confront their fears is key.

“It’s the people, we believe, that don’t confront or don’t get back into life that end up really having PTSD,” Sutherland said.

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