Download Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD
AAPPP
EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a DISORDER. It results from TRAUMA.
Either from a single event or a series of
events in a person’s life.
It’s not a WEAKNESS. It’s your body sending
the message: “I don’t know how to deal
with what’s happened to me.”
Any one can suffer from PTSD.
PTSD is Not New
There is historical precedent.
"And now my life ebbs away; days of suffering
grip me. Night pierces my bones; my gnawing
pains never rest.” Job 30:16-17
Civil War
Soldier’s Heart
World War I
Shell Shock
World War II
Combat Fatigue
Audie Murphy
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Action Hollywood movie legend Audie Murphy, son of poor Texas sharecroppers, rose to national
fame as the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II. Among his 33 awards and
decorations was the Medal of Honor. He also received every decoration for valor that his country
had to offer, some of them more than once, including 5 decorations by France and Belgium.
Credited with single-handedly killing over 240 of the enemy while wounding and capturing many
others, he became a legend within the 3rd Infantry Division. Beginning his service as an Army
Private, Audie Murphy quickly rose to the enlisted rank of Staff Sergeant, was given a "battle field"
commission as 2nd Lieutenant. He was wounded three times, fought in 9 major campaigns across
the European Theater, and survived the war.
Murphy suffered from PTSD and was plagued by insomnia and depression. During the mid-60's he
became dependent for a time on sleeping pills. When he recognized that he had become addicted
to this prescription drug, he locked himself in a motel room, stopped taking the sleeping pills and
went through withdrawal symptoms for a week. Always an advocate for the needs of veterans, he
broke the taboo about discussing war related mental problems after this experience. In a effort to
draw attention to the problems of returning Korean and Vietnam War veterans, Audie Murphy
spoke-out candidly about his personal problems with PTSD, then known as "Battle Fatigue". He
publicly called for United States government to give more consideration and study to the emotional
impact war has on veterans and to extend health care benefits to address PTSD and other mental
health problems of returning war vets.
Korea
Combat Fatigue
Viet Nam
PTSD
PTSD
What’s this got to do with me?
Suicide
How many U.S. war veterans
commit suicide each week?
Suicide
120
Video
Here’s one family’s tribute to their son who committed suicide.
Note: All the videos present stories of National Guard soldiers.
If 16-18% of returning troops suffer from PTSD, then hundreds of National Guardsmen
returning this winter will have PTSD.
The difference between them and regular Army troops is significant.
Regular army soldiers will return to military bases and be with other soldiers.
Guardsmen will be DUMPED right back into the community.
They may literally be standing in a war zone today and be back working at the 7-11 tomorrow.
WHAT DOES PTSD LOOK LIKE?
WHO SUFFERS FROM PTSD?
The Faces of PTSD
War Veterans
The vast majority of homeless are vets suffering
from PTSD or other personality disorders.
The Faces of PTSD
Rape Victims
The Faces of PTSD
Victims of Natural Disasters
INCLUDING 1ST RESPONDERS
Research shows a lower incidence of PTSD in
police and fire fighters than combat veterans
Why?
PTSD training before the event
Education and information is important
The Faces of PTSD
Accident Victims
The Faces of PTSD
Kidnap Victims
Jaycee Lee Dugard
The Faces of PTSD
Assault Victims
Especially child victims of physical and
emotional abuse
Anyone want to admit to being a victim?
The Faces of PTSD
Sexual or Physical Abuse
OFTEN SHOWS UP YEARS AFTER THE EVENT.
IN MARRIAGE BREAK UPS
CHILD ABUSE
MENTAL ILLNESS
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
When will PTSD from the Middle East War have the
greatest impact on our society?
10-20 years from now
The Faces of PTSD
Medical Procedures (especially in kids)
PTSD is a Normal Response to an
Abnormal Situation
PTSD victims are NOT weak
PTSD IS YOUR BODY TELLING YOU
“I DON’T KNOW HOW TO PROCESS WHAT’S
HAPPENED TO ME”
Symptoms of PTSD
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Re-experiencing the traumatic event
FLASHBACKS
NIGHTMARES
TROUBLING MEMORIES (Memories are horribly
inaccurate)
• Note: Don’t correct memories. They often serve
as a defensive measure.
• PHYSICAL REACTIONS (e.g. pounding heart, rapid
breathing, nausea, muscle tension, sweating)
The Story of “Doc” Dwyer
• During the first week of the war in Iraq, a combat photographer captured
the arresting image of Army Spc. Joseph Patrick “Doc” Dwyer as he raced
through a battle zone clutching a tiny Iraqi boy named Ali.
• The photo was hailed as a portrait of the heart behind the U.S. military
machine, and “Doc” Dwyer’s concerned face graced the pages of
newspapers across the country.
• But rather than going on to enjoy the public affection for his act of
heroism, Dwyer was haunted by the demons of combat stress he could
not exorcise. For the medic who cared for the wounds of his combat
buddies as they pushed toward Baghdad, the battle for his own health
proved too much to bear.
• On June 28, 2008, Joseph Patrick Dwyer, 31, died of a drug overdose in his
home in Pinehurst, N.C., after years of struggling with PTSD. During that
time, his marriage fell apart as he spiraled into substance abuse and
depression. Too often this is a familiar ending to stories about PTSD…but it
doesn’t have to be.
Symptoms of PTSD
• PTSD symptoms of avoidance and emotional
numbing
• AVOIDANCE - activities, places, thoughts, or
feelings that remind you of the trauma
• MEMORY LAPSE - Inability to remember
important aspects of the trauma
• LOSS OF INTEREST
• DETACHMENT
• PANIC ATTACKS – DIM VIEW OF FUTURE
Symptoms of PTSD
• PTSD symptoms of increased arousal
• INSOMNIA (Neurotransmitters)
• Norepinephrine, adrenalin, dopamine, seritonin
• SSRI (Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft)
Benzodiazapine (psychoactive drugs)
Valium, Librium, Ambien
• Irritability or outbursts of anger
• Difficulty concentrating (Adult ADD a possibility)
• Hyper vigilance (on constant “red alert”)
• STARTLE REFLEX
Symptoms of PTSD
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OTHER SYMPTOMS
Anger and irritability
Guilt, shame, or self-blame (child abuse)
Substance abuse (self-medication) (Must be addressed
first – requires sobriety)
Depression and hopelessness
Suicidal thoughts and feelings
Feeling alienated and alone (NO ONE UNDERSTANDS)
Feelings of mistrust and betrayal
PHYSICAL MALADIES
Getting Help
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PTSD MAY TAKE YEARS TO BECOME EVIDENT
KNOWING EARLY WARNING SIGNS IS IMPORTANT
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SHE’S REALLY QUIET NOW
HE SPENDS A LOT OF TIME ALONE
HE’S DIFFERENT SINCE HE CAME BACK – NORMAL PEOPLE ARE NOT “DIFFERENT”
SHE’S BEEN DRINKING A LOT SINCE SHE CAME BACK
Early treatment is better. Symptoms of PTSD may get worse. Dealing with them
now might help stop them from getting worse in the future. Finding out more
about what treatments work, where to look for help, and what kind of questions
to ask can make it easier to get help and lead to better outcomes.
PTSD symptoms can affect family life.
IRRITABILITY - MARITAL PROBLEMS – ANGER OUTBURSTS – MOOD SWINGS
DIVORCE – CHILD AND DOMESTIC ABUSE
PTSD can be related to other health problems. A
ANXIETY AND PERSONALITY DISORDERS – DO YOU THINK THE GUY ON THE BUS
WAS ALWAYS LIKE THAT?
HEART PROBLEMS – STROKE RISKS
Types of Treatment
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Types of treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY (CBT)
TREATMENT PROCESS CENTERED ON BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE
MAY INVOLVE GRADUAL EXPOSURE TO THE TRAUMA
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) – INFORMATION
PROCESSING THERAPY
EMDR uses CBT with eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right
stimulation, such as hand taps or sounds. UNFREEZES the brain and allows it to
process the traumatic event.
Family therapy. Because PTSD affects the whole family – marriage counseling –
family counseling. Most effective is EMOTIONALLY EFFECTIVE THERAPY (EFT) –
deals with attachment and attachment theory.
Medication. Only treats symptoms not the underlying problem.
AA or NA – MUST FIRST GET SOBER
Group Therapy. PTSD lends itself well to groups. There’s comfort in being with
people like you. Often times group members can help each other much more than
a professional therapist can.
Self-help and Support for PTSD
MAY START WITH YOU
WATCH FOR SYMPTOMS
BE AWARE OF TRIGGERS
DON’T CHALLENGE MEMORIES
LISTEN TO THE STORY – OVER AND OVER
BE THERE
WHEN THEY REACH OUT – LET YOUR FACE POP
INTO THIR MINDS
You’re Not Alone
“I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Joshua 1:5
DON’T SELL THE VALUE OF FAITH SHORT
WE ALL NEED SOMETHING TO HOLD ON TO
MORAL COMPASS
GUIDEBOOK
BESIDES WHO CAN FIX THE PROBLEM BETTER
THAN THE GUY WHO DESIGNED THE
MACHINE
Helping a Someone with PTSD
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BE PATIENT – BE EMPATHIC – NEVER SAY YOU UNDERSTAND UNLESS YOU DO
SHARE YOUR OWN STORY.
LISTEN – OVER AND OVER AND OVER
IT’S THE BODIES WAY OF TRYING TO PROCESS WHAT IT DOESN’T UNDERSTAND
WATCH FOR TRIGGERS
ANNIVERSARY DATES
PLACE PEOPLE AND THINGS – A PHONE CALL CAN WORK WONDERS
“HEY, I WAS THIKNING ABOUT YOU TODAY.”
DON’T TAKE IT PERSONAL
SOMEONE MAY UNLOAD ON YOU BECAUSE YOU’RE SAFE
CAUTIOUSLY TOLERATE ISOLATION – NOT TOO LONG
NO PRESSURE
NOT EVERYONE WANTS TO TALK . JUST BE THERE WHEN THEY’RE READY. NEVER
CHALLENGE MEMORIES – IT’S THE BODY’S WAY OF PROTECTING ITSELF.
What do I say?
• You’re not weak
What’s happening to you is normal
It’s partly physical
It’s your body saying “I don’t know how to process this”
• You’re not alone
I’m here – God is here
(Psalm 23) “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou art with me…”
The valley is not infinite
You’ll come out on the other side
You have to walk through it BUT NOT ALONE
God walks right along with you – all the way to the other side
• I care about you
WHEN THEY REACH OUT – AND EVERYONE DOES (BUT NOT EVERYONE IS RECOGNIZED)
LET YOUR FACE POP INTO THEIR MINDS
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
JUST CARE - JUST BE THERE – JUST WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY WITH THEM
YOU’LL LEARN A LOT ABOUT YOURSELF IN THE PROCESS