War may be hell… but home ain’t exactly heaven, either.
description
Transcript of War may be hell… but home ain’t exactly heaven, either.
War may be hell… but home ain’t exactly heaven, either.
When a Soldier comes home from war, he finds it hard…
…to listen to his son whine about being bored.
…to keep a straight face when people complain
about potholes.
…to be tolerant of people who complain about the hassle of
getting ready for work
…to be understanding when a co-worker complains about a
bad night’s sleep
…to control his panic when his wife tells him he needs to drive
slower
…to be grateful that he fights for the freedom of speech.
…to be silent when people pray to God for a new car.
…to be compassionate when a businessman
expresses a fear of flying.
…to not laugh when anxious parents say they’re afraid to
send their kids off to summer camp.
…to not ridicule someonewho complains about hot weather.
…to control his rage when a colleague gripes about his
coffee being cold.
…to remain calm when his daughter complains about having to walk
the dog.
…to be civil to people who complain about their jobs.
…to just walk away when someone says they only get two
weeks of vacation a year.
…to be happy for a friend’s new hot tub
…to be forgiving when someone says how hard it is to have a new
baby in the house.
…to not punch a wall when someone says we should pull out
immediately.
The only thing harder than being a Soldier…
By: Danielle
“A Proud Army Wife”
is loving one.
A gentle reminder to keep your life in perspective.
And when you meet one of our
returning Soldiers,please remember what he’s been
through and show him
compassion and tolerance.Thank you.
CPT Alison L. Crane, RN, MSMental Health Nurse Observer-Trainer
7302nd Medical Training Support Battalion
VETERANS MENTAL HEALTH
IMPACT ON EDUCATIONAL PURSUITS
Beth Jeffries, PhDPCT Supervisor
Jack C Montgomery Veterans HospitalMuskogee, OK
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
(PTSD)
What We’ll Cover
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)Social ImplicationsAcademic ImplicationsOccupational Implications
PTSD
Brief OverviewExtreme traumatic stressor
Intense fear, helplessness or horror
Re-experiencing
Avoidance and numbing
Arousal
These symptoms must be present for more than 1 month
Create dysfunction in social, occupational, and academic
areas of functioning
Extreme Stressors
Some examples…Military combatViolent personal assaultTerrorist attackKidnappingNatural or Manmade disastersDiagnosed with life threatening illness or injury
Personal Response
How the person responds is important…Amount of control the person feels in the situation appears to be very important for outcomeSocial support, or lack of, impacts symptomsAvoidance is NOT helpful…
Symptoms of PTSD
Associated with Re-experiencing…Intrusive thoughts of the eventNightmares and sleep disturbanceFlashbacksIntense psychological and physiological distress when reminded of the event
Symptoms continued…
Associated with Avoidance and Numbing…Efforts to avoid remindersInability to recall important aspects of the eventWithdrawal from favored activities and interestsStrong feelings of detachment and/or estrangement from othersRestricted range of affect (poker face)
Symptoms continued…
Associated with Arousal…Irritability and outbursts of angerDifficulty concentrating/often confused with memory lossHypervigilanceExaggerated startle response
Suicide
Feelings of hopelessnessFeelings of isolation/detachmentDepression and LossGuiltSubstance Abuse/Excessive UseComing home to family changes such as divorce, loss of money, or deaths in the familyPhysical changes/disabilities resulting from wartime experience
Suicide What to look for
IsolationSubstance abuse/excessive useDepressionGiving possessions awayThreats of suicide/past attemptsTalking about lack of future/hopelessnessFamily history should be consideredLack of social support
Suicide National Hotline
It Takes the Courage and Strength of a Warrior to Ask For Help
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Press 1 for Veterans
www.suicidepreventiononlifeline.org
PTSD Prevalence and Etiology
Estimated that 8% of total population meets criteria as set forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV)Research indicates 30-40% of persons exposed to trauma go on to develop PTSDNumber may be higher in “real world”
Prevalence and Etiology cont…
No one group impacted more than anotherChildhood traumas may “prime” individuals to develop PTSD after subsequent traumasNot considered an illness, but rather a stress reactionLong term, adrenal system impacted and other physiological problems
Symptom Presentation
Withdrawal from family and friendsInability to “get along” with othersAlcohol and substance abusePoor performance in home activities, school and work“Personality” changes, behavior changes
Prognosis
Typically considered chronic, but recovery/management realistic goalUp and down pattern of symptoms likely over a lifetimeAnxiety and depression features are medication responsiveEarly, intense cognitive behavioral therapies are effective
Evidence Based Psychotherapy
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
PHYSICAL INJURIESTraumatic Brain Injury
Significant Issues
Physical InjuriesLoss of eyesightLoss of limbsBurnsTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Soldiers are surviving injuries on the battlefield that would have been fatal in the past!
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Closed or Open WoundLoss of consciousnessDizzyHeadacheMemory lossNauseaSuicidal risk
TBI, cont.
Can be difficult to distinguish from PTSD, many symptoms are similarBehavioral changesAttention deficits, Concentration problemsImpulsive behaviors/Acting out“Nervous” energyDepression, withdrawal, suicidal ideationsNot always visually apparent
TBI Treatment
Psychological Testing from a trained Neuropsychologist is recommendedMedical tests such as CAT scans and MRIs may be warrantedAssessment of pre-morbid functioning is recommended
TBI, cont
Head injuries may impede a person’s ability to function in all spheres, including academic
Ability to concentrateSocialize appropriatelyFocus of attentionMemoryRetention“Personality” changesImpulsivity
HOW DO ALL THESE INJURIES IMPACT THE RETURNING
SOLDIER IN HIS “LIFE” AND
HOW DO THEY IMPACT THE “REST OF US”
Social Functioning
Big Changes
Withdrawal / IsolationImpulsiveAggressive / Acting outShort Attention SpanSelf Focused / “Selfish” / ChildlikeRegressionAngryControlling
Family and Friends
Isolates from others, even at homeMay be “uninvolved”May be “overly involved”Detachment“Clingy-ness”Routines are disruptedRoles are altered
What Might Help
Give self and family time to adjustCreate a routineCommunicate, communicate, communicateSet aside “alone” timeSet aside “family” timeMonitor and minimize substance useSeek VA (or other) services to assist with adjustment issuesUnderstand that both of you have changed in some ways
Academic
Big Changes
Loss of Concentration / DistractableInability to sit still“Speaks out” in classDisorganizedEasily Frustrated / “Slow” to learn
What Might Help
Set aside study times that are brief and consistent/dailyConsider testing in separate room and/or extended time Use a study partnerPractice going outside your comfort zone in simple, small ways to start
Occupational
Big Changes
Not Dependable or ReliableFrustrates EasilyLoss of ConcentrationDifficulty Getting Along with Supervisors and Co-workersFrequent MistakesOver Controlling -or- Appears to “not care”
What Might Help
Consider employment options carefullyPractice going outside your comfort zone in small waysUse relaxation and visualization techniquesImprove surroundings in small but meaningful ways
Where and How to Get Help
Veterans Administration (VA)Services
DoD and VA collaboration to inform veterans about our servicesOrientations and PTSD Screen in Primary CareEasy access and flexible hoursOutpatient/Inpatient/Crisis services
PTSD Clinical Team (PCT)
Specialized team focused on treatment and care of veterans with PTSDPsychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and administrative personnel available for comprehensive, team approach
Who Needs a Referral?
Identifying the need is the biggest stepThe individual may avoid the problem by
Self medicating with substancesWithdrawing from activities and “life”Using anger
Performance may suffer
Who can and should be referred to VA?
Any member of the National Guard or Reserves, or other affiliation with our Armed ForcesAny veteran of our Armed ForcesOf the above, anyone who requests a referral
Who Do I Call for Assistance?
Contact the business office at Jack C Montgomery VA Hospital Muskogee, OK (918) 577-3000 / (888) 397-8387
Contact the Behavioral Medicine Clinic Muskogee 918-577-3699Tulsa 918-610-2000
Beth Jeffries, PhD Program Director/Supervisor PCT
918-610-2000 Ernest C Childress VA Tulsa918-577-3699 Jack C Montgomery VA Muskogee
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Nanette Waller, MSWOEF/OIF Program Director
Jack C Montgomery VA HospitalMuskogee, OK 74401
918-577-4150
Oklahoma City Area VA
For admissions in person, go to the 2nd floor of Building 3 and request an information packet. For telephone information, or to have a packet sent to your home, please contact Cheryl Bays, LCSW at
(405) 270-0501, extension 5367 **A copy of your DD214 is required.
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Steven Scruggs, PhDOEF/OIF Program Director
Veterans Administration HospitalOklahoma City, OK
(405) 270-0501
QUESTIONS???
THANKYOU