1 / 7

Understanding TBI, Depression, and Anger in Veterans: Insights for Recovery and Support

Dr. Elena Klaw discusses the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI), depression, and anger in veterans, particularly those from OIF/OEF. Although many military personnel survive IED blasts and other traumatic incidents, they may face cognitive and psychological challenges afterward. Symptoms can be subtle or quite pronounced, leading to both physical and psychological struggles. Key aspects of treatment include recognizing combat-related reactions, necessary VA screening, and the importance of collaborative care for symptom management. Understanding these issues is crucial in providing effective support to veterans.

rana-vance
Download Presentation

Understanding TBI, Depression, and Anger in Veterans: Insights for Recovery and Support

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Psyc 190: Warriors At HomeTraumatic Brain Injury, Depression & Anger Dr. Elena Klaw

  2. TBI • OIF/OEF - Higher rates of survival from IEDs, rockets, mortars, projectiles • Moderate & severe TBIs show up on MRIs/CTs = hospital treatment & rehab • Minor TBIs = Blows to head that cause loss of consciousness, • Silent injury, very common • May cause common symptoms among vets: e.g. cognitive & sleep problems, irritability, pain • These problems are physical and psychological • Related to PTSD, impossible to separate

  3. Recovery from mBTIs • Most people recover completely: brain plasticity • Symptoms are not associated with weakness • Key aspects of treatment: • Recognize most vets have combat reactions • VA screening essential for benefits • Collaborative: medical and psych treatment • Symptom management regardless of cause • Treatment for sleep problems essential • Avoidance of substances important • Good self care, & support essential

  4. Changes • How might someone change as a result of deployment/ military service? • Which changes are positive? • Which changes might be most difficult? • Why might it be hard for vets to recognize mental health problems?

  5. Anger • May be signature emotion of OIF/OEF • Reaction to powerlessness, addictive • Adaptive – allows you to act • Physiological arousal • Heart, blood flow, breathing, tension, sweting, flushing, shaking • Attribution process • Emotions • Behaviors

  6. Depression Decreased physical arousal Thoughts Attributions Behaviors Emotions Physiological changes Cycle continues by lack of reinforcement

  7. Resources • Discuss: • What types of support might be most helpful to veterans? • What are barriers to getting help? • How would you respond to a peer who is struggling with the transition home?

More Related