Psyc 190: Warriors At Psyc 190: Warriors At HomeHome

Traumatic Brain Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Depression & AngerDepression & Anger

Dr. Elena KlawDr. Elena Klaw

TBITBI

OIF/OEF - Higher rates of survival from IEDs, OIF/OEF - Higher rates of survival from IEDs, rockets, mortars, projectilesrockets, mortars, projectilesModerate & severe TBIs show up on MRIs/CTs = Moderate & severe TBIs show up on MRIs/CTs = hospital treatment & rehabhospital treatment & rehabMinor TBIs = Blows to head that cause loss of Minor TBIs = Blows to head that cause loss of consciousness, consciousness, Silent injury, very commonSilent injury, very commonMay cause common symptoms among vets: May cause common symptoms among vets: e.g.e.g. cognitive & sleep problems, irritability, paincognitive & sleep problems, irritability, painThese problems are physical These problems are physical andand psychological psychologicalRelated to PTSD, impossible to separateRelated to PTSD, impossible to separate

Recovery from mBTIsRecovery from mBTIs

Most people recover completely: brain plasticityMost people recover completely: brain plasticitySymptoms are not associated with weaknessSymptoms are not associated with weaknessKey aspects of treatment:Key aspects of treatment: Recognize most vets have combat reactionsRecognize most vets have combat reactions VA screening essential for benefitsVA screening essential for benefits Collaborative: medical and psych treatmentCollaborative: medical and psych treatment Symptom management regardless of causeSymptom management regardless of cause Treatment for sleep problems essentialTreatment for sleep problems essential Avoidance of substances importantAvoidance of substances important Good self care, & support essentialGood self care, & support essential

ChangesChanges

How might someone change as a result of How might someone change as a result of deployment/ military service?deployment/ military service?

Which changes are positive?Which changes are positive?

Which changes might be most difficult?Which changes might be most difficult?

Why might it be hard for vets to recognize mental Why might it be hard for vets to recognize mental health problems?health problems?

AngerAngerMay be signature emotion of OIF/OEFMay be signature emotion of OIF/OEF

Reaction to powerlessness, addictive Reaction to powerlessness, addictive

Adaptive – allows you to actAdaptive – allows you to act

Physiological arousalPhysiological arousal Heart, blood flow, breathing, tension, sweting, Heart, blood flow, breathing, tension, sweting,

flushing, shakingflushing, shaking

Attribution processAttribution process

EmotionsEmotions

BehaviorsBehaviors

DepressionDepression

Decreased physical arousalDecreased physical arousal

ThoughtsThoughts

AttributionsAttributions

BehaviorsBehaviors

EmotionsEmotions

Physiological changesPhysiological changes

Cycle continues by lack of reinforcementCycle continues by lack of reinforcement

ResourcesResources

Discuss: Discuss:

What types of support might be most helpful What types of support might be most helpful to veterans?to veterans?

What are barriers to getting help?What are barriers to getting help?

How would you respond to a peer who is How would you respond to a peer who is struggling with the transition home?struggling with the transition home?