PTSD is a complex anxiety disorder that affects a wide range of Virginians. If you have a PTSD diagnosis, you may be wondering who else it affects. You may also be wondering whether or not your condition qualifies for a medical marijuana card in Virginia. There is good news on both fronts: You are not in this alone, and chances are you can qualify for a medical marijuana card and all the therapeutic benefits that come with it!
Who Gets PTSD
The answer, in short, is this: anyone, and at any age.
According to the National Center for PTSD, 6 to 8 percent of the population will experience this condition at some point in their lifetime. Within the US, it is estimated that anywhere from 8 to 15 million people experience symptoms of this condition in a given year.
Those with PTSD experience significant shifts in mood, depression and anxiety, in addition to repetitive and disordered thinking. Getting a diagnosis of PTSD typically requires that these symptoms interfere with one's ability to enjoy a daily quality of life.
Risk Factors for PTSD
There may also be genetic factors involved that make it more likely for individuals to respond to trauma by developing PTSD.
There are also certain risk factors associated with an increased risk of developing PTSD. These include:
Living through traumatic or dangerous events
Experiencing a serious injury
Witnessing the injury or death of another person
Trauma experienced during childhood
Experiencing horror, helplessness, or extreme fear
Having little or no social support in the aftermath of a traumatizing event
Experiencing the loss of a loved one, or even the loss of a job or home
It is important to note that not everyone who develops PTSD has been through a violent, traumatizing event. Additionally, not everyone who has been through a traumatic event will develop the condition.
Populations That Often Experience PTSD
All this being said, there are certain groups in the population in which PTSD commonly occurs.
Veterans
Veterans are the demographic most commonly associated with PTSD. This is because of one simple fact— war and combat involve exposure to an extensive array of triggering, traumatic events. Even absent a triggering event, the continuous stress of being deployed in a war zone can cause an individual to develop PTSD and other common conditions veterans use medical marijuana for.
It is estimated that 12 to 30 percent of veterans alive today have some form of PTSD. This is up from veterans in previous generations, perhaps due to improvements in diagnosis and veteran health care.
Women
One fact that surprises some people? Women are actually more likely to develop PTSD than men.
This may be related to genetics or to the nature of the traumas women most commonly experience, including domestic abuse and sexual assault. Within the military itself, women who develop PTSD are more likely to have experienced sexual assault. According to statistics from the VA, 23 percent of women in the military reported sexual assault during their time in service.
Children and Teenagers
Children and teens may also develop PTSD. Many of the traumas that trigger the condition can take place during childhood. Individuals, however, may not present with symptoms or receive a diagnosis until later in life.
The Success of Medical Marijuana in Treating PTSD
Multiple studies have shown that medical marijuana provides relief to the symptoms associated with PTSD.
A 2014 study showed that medical marijuana improved insomnia in patients with PTSD, also reducing the frequency of their nightmares. This study also demonstrated that medical marijuana lowered the hyperarousal associated with PTSD that can trigger so many of its symptoms.
In another study on PTSD and medical marijuana done at Wayne State University, medical marijuana was able to lower threat-related reactivity in the brain's amygdala, meaning that patients were less likely to act out when triggered.
I Have a Diagnosis of PTSD— Do I Qualify for Medical Marijuana?
Qualifying for medical marijuana in Virginia requires having a diagnosis of a medical condition that interferes with your daily quality of life. Qualifying for medical marijuana is also at the discretion of your certified medical marijuana physician. They will assess your condition and determine whether it will be helped by the use of medical marijuana.
When you schedule an appointment with one of our Virginia Marijuana Card doctors, you get a provider who is understanding and can help develop the best treatment plan, as well as patient support reps who are dedicated to supporting you and making the process as easy as possible.
The best way to ensure you receive approval for treating your PTSD with medical marijuana is to ensure you meet the following eligibility requirements:
Believe your diagnosed PTSD will benefit from medical marijuana treatment.
Have current, valid proof of Virginia residency in the form of a VA Driver’s License or State ID card.
It is also a good idea to provide the certified physician helping you with as much information about your condition as possible, including a history of your past treatments and interventions.
Get Your VA Marijuana Card Now!
Those with a diagnosis of PTSD in the Commonwealth can get the help they need through medical marijuana. If you are interested in getting your own medical marijuana card for your PTSD, our certified physicians can help you through the process.
Schedule an appointment with an online medical marijuana doctor today, to start gaining access to safe, legal cannabis products, including tinctures, flower, concentrates and more.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Virginia Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness
safely and conveniently through increased access to MMJ. Our focus on
education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by
providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (888) 633-5808, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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