Getting the "Invincible" Young Men and Women in Uniform to Seek Help
As a clinical social worker who worked with military members and their families overseas for five years, because I worked in the prevention side for their mental health clinic, I was always trying to overcome two prevalent beliefs. One was that help-seeking behavior was a sign of weakness versus strength. The other was that when one encountered a mental health issue, he or she should just “suck it up." Now, while progress has been made by the military in overcoming these attitudes, there’s lots to be done nevertheless. Some sufferers might be more inclined to seek help for PTSD symptoms if they realize their physical health is at stake. Also, if family members are aware of PTSD symptoms, its treatment, and how to be an advocate for the suffering loved one, with their encouragement and support, the PTSD victim might consent to treatment after all. While I wrote a self-help book specifically targeting the partner of the PTSD sufferer--because that was what the publisher desired--my prescriptive as well as descriptive book can help others as well—including those in the faith community who want to lead support to PTSD sufferers and their families. Discover helpful information at http://www.PTSDRelationship.com.
Diane England, Ph.D.
of NH
@
Aug 06, 2009 09:57:07 AM
PTSD and Dementia
According to a new study veterans diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia compared to those veterans without PTSD.
Scientists from the University of California-San Francisco reported the findings at the recent meeting of the International Conference on Alzheimer’s disease in Vienna. Their findings indicated veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD had a 10.6% rate of developing dementia over a seven year follow-up while those veterans without PTSD had a 6.6% rate.
The findings indicate that disorders such as PTSD, depression, and chronic anxiety may predispose the brain to vulnerability for dementia. Interestingly, PTSD has been related to dysfunction in the hippocampus, the critical region of disease for Alzheimer’s.
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Diane England, Ph.D. of NH @ Aug 06, 2009 09:57:07 AM
Dr. Nussbaum of PA @ Aug 05, 2009 17:13:42 PM
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