What was PTSD called in the past? - answer1. Soldier's Heart: physiological signs,
increased HR, chest pains, panic, sense of doom
2. Shell Shock: concussive or vacuum effects of exploding artillery shells and trench
warfare
What is PTSD? - answer psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or
witnessing of a life-threatening event such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist
incidents, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood
What is "dialing-up"? - answer as you progress through mobilization toward deployment,
anxiety gradually increases: you are mentally and physically preparing yourself for this
new deployed environment
What is "dialing-down"? - answer anxiety begins to decrease as you adjust to being at
home but will not necessarily return to how it was before deployment (post-traumatic
growth)
During deployment all Warriors experience change? - answer Yes, everyone is
impacted including families at home
How does deployment physically effect the body? - answer1. sleep deprivation during
sustained operations
2. being on guard almost all of the time
3. physical threats
4. maintaining emotional control
5. extreme physical stress and exhaustion
6. carrying heavy loads, wear and tear on muscles and joints
7. injuries, including concussions/mTBIs and combat trauma
What is Post-traumatic stress (PTS)? - answeraka combat stress
typical expected reactions to deployment stressors; everyone who deploys will
experience at least a mild form of one or more of the signs at some point or points
during their transition home
the sooner warriors seek help, the better the outcome
Will dialing-down combat physiology take time? - answerYes
time, work, effort
,Do all service members experience PTS? - answerYes
What is the goal of resilience training? - answerto provide soldiers with adaptive skills to
deal with any challenge to not just survive but thrive in the face of adversity
Risk-taking Behavior (red flags) - answerthe start or increase in frequency of behaviors
that may endanger health and the health and safety of those around them
signs and symptoms are seen as "triggers"
Anger Problems (red flags) - answerreturning warriors can be easily angered or have
uncontrolled anger; anger has been found to be a prominent symptom of traumatic
exposure
Sleep Problems (red flags) - answerreturning warriors may have difficulty falling asleep
or staying asleep, some may wake early and not be able to get back to sleep and have
frequent nightmares (getting 7-8 hours of continuous uninterrupted sleep is extremely
important)
Alcohol (or other substance abuse) Problems (red flags) - answerhalf of all PTSD
diagnosed warriors have associated alcohol problems, many of whom have not
previously been "problem" drinkers
Relationship Problem (red flags) - answer25% of warriors report stress reactions that
may interfere with their ability to trust and be emotionally close to others
What is the key to preventing psychological trauma from further developing into a
physical disorder? - answerrecommend talking to experts (BH/chaplain)
What physical disorder must be ruled out with a warrior demonstrating behavioral
change? - answereveryone experiences PTS but not everyone experiences PTSD
Signs and Symptoms/Triggers of behavioral health problems - answer1.
behaviors/reactions that impair performance or jeopardize training
2. persistent problems with sleep
3. reckless or dangerous behaviors
4. drinking too much alcohol, misusing substances
5. severe guilt or hopelessness
6. withdrawals from buddies, friends or family
7. rage, threatening statements
8. talking/joking about not wanting to be alive
Goal of Successful Transition - answerto minimize "collateral damage" such as damage
to relationships or careers, and general self-destructive behavior; they must learn how
,to transition from deployed mindset back to the "home front" and it will take time, work
and effort
Broken Tail Light - answerwhen a warrior does not realize that he or she has a problem;
TAIL can be used to help friends with transition problems
TAIL - answerT: tell them you're concerned
A: all are impacted by deployment
I: insist that they talk with someone
L: look for ways to help
What are the 3 things Medics are expected to do? - answer1. identify those warriors in
your platoon/unit who are at-risk
2. talk to your soldiers and normalize their behavior
3. empower warriors to seek help because the sooner they get help the better the
outcome
*always recommend that warriors talk to the experts, whichever is more comfortable for
them; your role is to help them get the help they need
Important Points about PTSD - answer1. can be caused by exposure to a traumatic
event
2. significantly impacts functioning (victims can no longer consistently perform duties of
daily tasks)
3. is a diagnosis that requires a group of symptoms to be present for an extended
period of time
4. must be diagnosed by a medical professional
What percent of soldiers are actually diagnosed with PTSD? - answeronly around 3-5%
are diagnosed with PTSD
*most soldiers DO NOT develop PTSD as a result of their deployment experiences*
Which soldiers are at a higher risk of having serious stress-related problems? -
answer1. genetic predisposition
2. early-life trauma
3. no strong social support system
4. regularly engaged in frequent or intense combat
5. witnessed injury or death
6. involved in a serious event where they felt they had no control, esp if they felt there
was a mistake, poor leadership or negligence
Why are concussions hard to diagnose? - answermild TBIs can sometimes go
undetected from the start and can be difficult to distinguish from moderate or severe
brain injuries
, *make sure warrior takes a break (take a knee) even if they insist they are feeling fine*
When to get a medical evaluation for concussions - answer1. within 50m of a blast
2. direct blow to the head or LOC
3. vehicle involved in blast event
4. collision or rollover
*NOT EVERY CONCUSSION IS THE SAME, concussed warriors may exhibit different
symptoms*
Do you have to lose consciousness to have a concussion? - answerNO
What HURTS brain recovery following concussion? - answer1. Cognitive Thinking:
(a) mental exertion
(b) inadequate sleep
2. Physical:
(a) physical exertion
(b) physical activities that increase risk for second concussion like combative or sports
What HELPS brain recovery following concussion? - answer1. Cognitive Thinking:
(a) maximize downtime or rest during day
(b) maintain adequate sleep routines
2. Physical:
(a) stay out of heat
(b) limit physical activity
(c) get adequate sleep
Does the brain or body control sleep? - answerTHE BRAIN
*quality sleep is necessary for brain to recover from constant activity*
What is the Army Guidance on sleep? - answer7-8 hours of continuous uninterrupted
sleep
(previous standard 4-5 hours)
Who provides the sleep guidance? - answerWalter Reed Army Institute of Research
(FM 6-22.5, Ch 4)
this guidance applies to all levels of military operations including both training and
tactical environments
Lack of Sleep Effects - answer1. Performance - need sleep to think clearly, react
quickly, and create memories
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