Military/Veteran Support Briefing Courtesy of Family of a Vet

Thank You for Caring! Common military and veteran acronyms as well as phrases and sayings. What are post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and secondary PTSD? Ideas for helping in your community. Your Organization’s Plans for the future!

Military Alphabet Soup PX, BX, X, Exchange, AAFES: A military version of your average department store such as Sears or Macy’s. Commissary: military grocery store Post/Base: military installation FOB: Forward Operation Base Chapel: Military religion organization ETS: When they leave the military PCS: Relocating to a new military base. MEB: Medical evaluation board Shopette: Army gas station and/or often a little shop similar to a OEF: Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) OIF: Operation Iraqi Freedom OND: Operation New Dawn (Libya)

Veteran Alphabet Soup VA: Veteran’s Administration VAMC: A Medical Center for the VA, similar to a hospital. DD214: Paperwork given when you leave the military. DAV: Disabled Veterans of America CSC: Caregiver Support Coordinator FRC: Federal Resource Coordinator OEF/OIF Program: A program to help process veterans from OEF/OIF and now OND Med-boarded: Separated from the military by a medical board for injuries and/or mental health reasons. Medically Retired: Retired from the military with full retirement benefits because of injury and/or mental health reasons. ‘Nam: Vietnam War Korea: Korean War

Mental Health Alphabet Soup PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury STS : Secondary Traumatic Stress (another name for Secondary PTSD) “Group”: Group Therapy “Individual”: Individual Counseling

PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder The elephant in every post-deployment room.

What is PTSD? PTSD is clinically defined by five clinical factors: o The person has been exposed to a traumatic event (such as combat). o The traumatic event is repeatedly re-experienced in distress, nightmares, or other disturbances. o The person attempts to avoid or numb their responsiveness to the trauma through various methods such as avoiding thoughts, activities, or people that remind them of the trauma. o These symptoms are persistent and last for longer than one month. o These symptoms cause significant distress and/or impairment in social, occupational or other areas of functioning. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth Edition. Copyright 1994; American Psychiatric Association.

And what does that REALLY mean? Essentially you have seen a lot of dead people and been persecuted for a long period of time. Your brain is struggling to “come back to normal”. Your brain doesn’t understand that you are back in a safe and secure situation and continues to overreact as if it were still in combat.

PTSD Symptoms There are three kinds of PTSD Symptoms: o Psychological o Stuff going on in your head. o Behavioral o Stuff you are doing because of stuff going on in your head. o Physical o Physical symptoms a doctor can look at and analyze.

Psychological Symptoms Depression Anxiety Guilt Avoidance/Lack of Emotion Intrusive Thoughts Hallucinations

Behavioral Symptoms Unable to fall asleep or stay asleep Being easily startled Low self-esteem Feeling hopeless about the future Not wanting to see/hear anything that reminds you of combat Lack of appetite and/or overeating Extreme rage Short fuse Isolating yourself Alcohol or drug abuse Always being “on guard” (Hypervigilant) Feeling numb Memory problems Lack of concentration Nightmares

Physical Symptoms Headaches o Constant or intermittent o Varying degrees from mild to migraine Rapid Heart Rate o Especially when reminded of traumatic events or “for no particular reason”. Sweating o Especially when reminded of traumatic events or “for no particular reason”.

Crunch the Numbers According to various studies approximately 20% (between 12-25%) or more veterans returning from combat operations have PTSD symptoms. Based on the approximately 2 million soldiers who have deployed into Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn that means at least 400,000 PTSD veterans. Less than half (200,000) of these will seek treatment.

PTSD Treatment Cognitive Behavioral Therapy o Exposure Therapy o Cognitive Restructuring Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Group Therapy Counseling o Marriage o Family o Individual Medication Alternative Treatments

TBI Traumatic Brain Injury When blasts damage more than it may first appear.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) If you were ever exposed to a blast, TBI is a very possible problem. Symptoms include: o Changes in sleep patterns (Sleeping more or difficulty sleeping). o Lightheadedness, dizziness, and/or loss of balance. o Increased sensitivity to light, sound, and/or distractions. o Nausea. o Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily. o Loss of smell or taste. o Ringing in the ears. o Depression and/or anxiety. o Headaches and/or neck pain that will not go away. o Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions. o Slowness in thinking, acting, speaking, or reading. o Getting lost or easily confused. o Feeling tired all the time – having no energy or motivation. o Mood changes (feeling sad and/or angry for no reason).

Crunch the Numbers Approximately 22.8% of soldiers returning from combat are likely to have TBI. This number is relative. Sources have indicated numbers both above and below this ranging from 15%-30%+. Based on our number of approximately 2 million deployed soldiers, that would mean over 450,000 veterans with TBI. The vast majority of these cases are mild and likely to go untreated, especially if the blast was unreported to medical personnel.

TBI Treatment Options Physical therapy Occupational therapy Speech/language therapy Physiatry (physical medicine) Psychology Psychiatry Medications Social Support Alternative Therapies

Secondary PTSD (also known as STS or Secondary Traumatic Stress) Because living with someone with PTSD can actually cause PTSD.

Secondary PTSD / STS STS is essentially PTSD caused by PTSD. It can affect: Spouses Children Parents Loved ones

Secondary PTSD Symptoms Depression Anxiety Frustration Anger Unable to Sleep Unable to Concentrate Irrational Behavior Crying An inability to cope with daily tasks

Crunch the Numbers Approximately 40% of those who are a spouse of someone with PTSD will develop Secondary PTSD. Using our earlier PTSD number, this means approximately 160,000 spouses alone will develop STS from their veteran’s PTSD. Less than 10% will seek help. That means approximately 150,000 spouses are going untreated. Keep in mind, this is just spouses, not including other loved ones such as parents, children, and siblings.

Recap 400,000 with PTSD 450,000+ with TBI 160,000+ with STS (just spouses) Chances are someone in your community needs you NOW!

So what can you do to help them today?

Do’s and Don’ts Do establish and train some outreach volunteers for the purpose of welcoming military and veteran families. Don’t just offer to “be there” – offer to DO something to help and then follow through. Do know that military and veteran families are especially prone to PTSD and other health issues. Don’t mention house visits unless the family initiates them. Do follow your instinct and offer to help. Don’t ask intrusive questions. Do ask the spouse what you can do to help when the soldier/veteran is not around. Don’t attempt to take these kids away from their parents.

Individual Outreach Have a ready to go list of activities and/or opportunities in your church. The less they have to try and remember, the better! Offer to pick up groceries, drop off mail, or take care of some little something. It’s often these little tasks that fall to the bottom of the list. Offer to take the kids for a time, either during the day for doctor’s appointments or in the evening so Mom and Dad can have some private alone time. Consider being a mentor to one of their children. Many of these kids need positive male and female role models and this is a great way to provide it. Don’t try to force your way into their company, invite them into yours.

Our Organization’s Missions Military/Veteran Committee Spouse Outreach Veteran Men’s and Women’s Outreaches Peer to Peer Support Community Fair

We need YOUR help! The need is great. The Mission is Great. They are calling out for you. Are you Listening?

How can you help our organization help them?

Family of a Vet