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Addressing the Unique Challenges and Experiences of Female

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Presentation on theme: "Addressing the Unique Challenges and Experiences of Female"— Presentation transcript:

1 Addressing the Unique Challenges and Experiences of Female
Service Members and Veterans Tracy Hejmanowski, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist Deployment Health Center Naval Hospital Jacksonville

2 The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense or the United States Government.

3 Female service members
12-14% of OIF/OEF/OND troops Support v. forward deployed Camaraderie / security Utilization of services PTSD risk Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy

4 Unique Life Experience
Challenges Leadership Communication Discipline Respect Self-confidence Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy

5 Characteristics of Female Veterans
Achievement-oriented (out to prove self) Determined (stubborn) High expectations (relentless) Stoic (cold) Photos Courtesy of U.S. Navy Photos courtesy of U.S. Army

6 Pre-deployment Considerations
Relationship/Marriage Nuclear Family role Extended Family role (allaying fears) Procreation timeline Child care Resentment Fear of injury Disapproval Two masters, Photos courtesy of U.S. Navy

7 Peri-deployment Considerations
Guilt Camaraderie Isolation/privacy Practicalities Sanitizing communication Danger (on/off FOB) Homefront distractions Photos courtesy of U.S. Navy

8 Post-Deployment Considerations
Invisibility Assumptions Stigma Role return 4 P’s Photos courtesy of U.S. Navy

9 Therapeutic Presentations
Combat and Operational Stress / PTS Depression Anxiety Anger Dyscontrol SUD PPCS/mTBI Chronic pain Marital/family strain

10 Physical Injury Loss of limb functionality Loss of hearing, eyesight
Chronic pain back, joints, burns Muscle tension mandibular, shoulders Fibromyalgia Headache/migraine Asthma Dyssomnias

11 Brain Injury Up to 40% may have exposure Many undiagnosed
unrecognized, unavailable, pride first noticeable problems appear Cognitive difficulties (overlap with PTSD) Attention, concentration Working memory, short-term memory Learning deficit Information processing sluggish Impaired abstract reasoning, executive functioning (p/s, planning, sequencing, time mgmt, insight/awareness)

12 Continuum of PTS 3 conceptual models Subtypes Severity Medical Social
Occupational Subtypes Depressive Anxious Angry Grieving Morally Injured Combination Severity Photo courtesy of Naval Hospital Jacksonville

13 Soul Injury Manifestations
Grief, rage (both rooted in humanity), depression, suicidality Guilt, survivor shame, regret, fear, angst

14 Safety and Lethality Assessment Authenticity of a SM’s support network
Access to lethal means of self/other harm History of impulsivity Substance use Adequacy of sleep Medication regimen Outlook on the near and distant future

15 What hinders help-seeking
Stigma Cliché Guilt Shame Ethos Weakness Judgment

16 Discussion


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