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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. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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War may be hell… but home ain’t exactly heaven, either.
When a Soldier comes home from war, he finds it hard…
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
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
(PTSD)
Beth Jeffries, PhD
PCT Supervisor
Jack C Montgomery Veterans Hospital
Muskogee, OK
What We’ll Cover
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Social Implications
Academic Implications
Occupational Implications
Brief Overview
Experience of being exposed to an extreme traumatic stressor falling outside of the typical human experience or expectation
Response to this event involves intense fear, helplessness or horror
Evidence of persistent re-experiencing of the event
Evidence of persistent avoidance behaviors related to the trauma and generalized numbing of responsiveness
Increased arousal
These symptoms must be present for more than 1 month
Create dysfunction in social, occupational, and other important 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 outcome
Social support, or lack of, impacts symptoms
Avoidance is NOT helpful…
Symptoms of PTSD
Associated with Re-experiencing…
Intrusive thoughts of the event
Nightmares and sleep disturbance
Flashbacks
Intense psychological and physiological distress when reminded of the event
Symptoms continued…
Associated with Avoidance and Numbing…
Efforts to avoid reminders
Inability to recall important aspects of the event
Withdrawal from favored activities and interests
Strong feelings of detachment and/or estrangement from others
Restricted range of affect (poker face)
Symptoms continued…
Associated with Arousal…
Irritability and outbursts of anger
Difficulty concentrating/often confused with memory loss
Hypervigilance
Exaggerated 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
Isolation
Substance abuse/excessive use
Depression
Giving possessions away
Threats of suicide/past attempts
Talking about lack of future/hopelessness
Family history should be considered
Lack 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 PTSD
Number 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 friends
Inability to “get along” with others
Alcohol and substance abuse
Poor performance in home activities, school and work
“Personality” changes, behavior changes
Prognosis
Typically considered chronic, but recovery/management realistic goal
Up and down pattern of symptoms likely over a lifetime
Anxiety and depression features are medication responsive
Early, intense cognitive behavioral therapies are effective
Medications
SSRIs
TCAs
Sometimes, anti psychotics
Alpha blockers
Discourage use of sleep agents and benzos consistently found to be ineffective, at best, and possibly, more harmful
Behavioral Treatments
Group Therapy – Therapy of Choice
Individual TherapySupportive Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET)
Family/Marriage Counseling
Support and Peer Groups
Evidence Based Psychotherapy
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Significant Issues
Physical InjuriesLoss of eyesight
Loss of limbs
Burns
Traumatic 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 consciousness
Dizzy
Headache
Memory loss
Nausea
Suicidal risk
TBI, cont.
Can be difficult to distinguish from PTSD, many symptoms are similar
Behavioral changes
Attention deficits, Concentration problems
Impulsive behaviors/Acting out
“Nervous” energy
Depression, withdrawal, suicidal ideations
Not always visually apparent
TBI Treatment
Psychological Testing from a trained Neuropsychologist is recommended
Medical tests such as CAT scans and MRIs may be warranted
Assessment 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 concentrate
Socialize appropriately
Focus of attention
Memory
Retention
“Personality” changes
Impulsivity
HOW DO ALL THESE INJURIES IMPACT THE RETURNING
SOLDIER IN HIS “LIFE”
AND
HOW DO THEY IMPACT THE
“REST OF US”
Big Changes
Withdrawal / IsolationImpulsiveAggressive / Acting outShort Attention SpanSelf Focused / “Selfish” / ChildlikeRegressionAngryControlling
Family and Friends
Isolates from others, even at home
May be “uninvolved”
May be “overly involved”
Detachment
“Clingy-ness”
Routines are disrupted
Roles 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
Big Changes
Loss of Concentration / Distractable
Inability to sit still
“Speaks out” in class
Disorganized
Easily Frustrated / “Slow” to learn
What Might Help
Set aside study times that are brief and consistent/daily
Consider testing in separate room and/or extended time
Use a study partner
Practice going outside your comfort zone in simple, small ways to start
Big Changes
Not Dependable or Reliable
Frustrates Easily
Loss of Concentration
Difficulty Getting Along with Supervisors and Co-workers
Frequent Mistakes
Over Controlling -or- Appears to “not care”
What Might Help
Consider employment options carefully
Practice going outside your comfort zone in small ways
Use relaxation and visualization techniques
Improve surroundings in small but meaningful ways
Veterans Administration (VA)Services
DoD and VA collaboration to inform veterans about our services
Orientations and PTSD Screen in Primary Care
Easy access and flexible hours
Outpatient/Inpatient/Crisis services
PTSD Clinical Team (PCT)
Specialized team focused on treatment and care of veterans with PTSD
Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and administrative personnel available for comprehensive, team approach
Group Therapy
Treatment of Choice
3 Stage ProgramCore group – 3 months/education focus
Action group – 3 month/process focus
Maintenance group – 1 yr/support focus
Intense focus groups
CPT groups
Individual Therapy
Supportive and Cognitive
CPT
PET
Marriage/Crisis/FamilyImportance of family involvement is stressed
Who Needs a Referral?
Identifying the need is the biggest step
The individual may avoid the problem by
Self medicating with substances
Withdrawing 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 Forces
Any veteran of our Armed Forces
Of 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