DCoE Blog

• 2 Mobile Apps Help Patient-Provider Collaboration

  Posted by Dr. Julie Kinn, T2 clinical psychologist on February 12, 2013

  It's difficult to estimate how many of my psychotherapy patients actually completed homework between sessions. For those who returned to my office with an automatic thought record or other tracking tool, I'm guessing at least half completed it while sitting in the waiting room.

  One of the reasons National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2) developed the "T2 Mood Tracker" mobile app was to help patients have an easy and anonymous way to monitor, track and reference their moods and behaviors as well as other related health information over time. Instead of completing worksheets, users can slide buttons on their smartphone or tablet computer. And, to anyone looking over a user's shoulder, it just looks like he or she is playing a game, not actually completing therapy homework. Further, it's unusual to lose a phone or tablet, whereas those worksheets seem to magically disappear each week. 

  

  Read More »

  Categories: Technology , Veterans , Resources , Treatment , Psychological Health   |   Comments (3)

• What You Need to Know About Substance Abuse and TBI

  Posted by Diana Moon, DCoE Public Affairs on February 5, 2013

  

  U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Tina Staffieri

  For many, drinking in moderation doesn’t pose a problem. But for those with traumatic brain injury (TBI), using drugs or alcohol to cope can be dangerous. Providers need to be aware that failure to treat substance abuse problems following TBI may be counterproductive to a successful recovery, and lead to added medical, psychiatric or behavioral problems, unemployment and family troubles for patients.

  The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) addressed these concerns during the January webinar, “Substance Abuse and Traumatic Brain Injury: Magnitude, Manifestations, Myths and Management.” Dr. Charles H. Bombardier, professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, discussed key messages for health professionals to consider when working with patients with both substance abuse and TBI, which included:

  Read More »

  Categories: Traumatic Brain Injury , Research , Substance Misuse Treatment , Treatment , Psychological Health   |   Comments (6)

• Frontline Psych with Doc Bender: Could Psychotherapy Help You?

  Posted by Dr. James Bender, DCoE clinical psychologist on January 24, 2013

  

  U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Duncan Brennan

  Dr. James Bender is a former Army psychologist who deployed to Iraq as the brigade psychologist for the 1st Cavalry Division 4th Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Hood, Texas. During his deployment he traveled through Southern Iraq, from Basra to Baghdad. He writes a monthly post for the DCoE Blog on psychological health concerns related to deployment and being in the military.
  
  How do you make a soldier run away screaming? Suggest therapy.
  
  Although this is an exaggeration, the truth is most service members aren’t open to the idea of talking to a stranger about personal issues. When I’ve suggested therapy, responses have ranged from anger to disbelief and often back to anger, with the assumption that I considered them “weak” or “broken.” Far too many service members view a psychological health concern as a character flaw instead of what it is, a treatable condition. Therapy isn’t for “weak” or “broken” people. It’s for people who recognize a problem, address it and then overcome it.

  
  

  Read More »

  Categories: Stress , PTSD , Treatment , Psychological Health   |   Comments (2)

• Ready to Seek Psychological Health Care? Find the Right Resources

  Posted by Diana Moon, DCoE Public Affairs on January 16, 2013

  If you’re looking for information about psychological health care, but are unsure what resources are available or which ones are confidential, the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) created a fact sheet of psychological health resources that answers those questions. You can use the fact sheet to identify a health care resource that will best benefit your specific needs.

  
  

  Resources for Psychological Health Care

   

  The fact sheet lists resources ranging from hotlines to self-assessments to one-on-one counseling sessions.

   

  Information and hotline assistance

  
  

  Reach out for relevant information or immediate help.

  
  
  

  Read More »

  Categories: Community Support , DCoE , Resources , Treatment , Psychological Health   |   Comments (2)

• Stripping Away Misconceptions About Psychotherapy

  Posted by Corina Notyce, DCoE Public Affairs on January 10, 2013

  

  U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs

  Below is a blog post from Military Pathways, written by Paul Heithaus, program manager at Military Pathways.
  
  When you break your arm, you see a professional. If you hurt your back or are plagued by migraines, you do the same thing. But what if your sleep is constantly disrupted by nightmares or you dread each new day so much that you don’t even want to get out of bed? Are you as quick to seek professional help? Very often, the answer is “no.”
  
  What is it that prevents us from seeking help for very treatable and sometimes debilitating mental health conditions? For most of us it comes down to one or more of three things:

  Read More »

  Categories: Treatment , Psychological Health   |   Comments (1)

• Sergeant Major of the Army Speaks Out About Army Values, Psychological Health

  Posted by Stephanie Ayres, Real Warriors Campaign media relations lead on January 8, 2013

  “Loyalty is extremely important to us and if you say you are part of the Army and part of something larger than yourself, that loyalty to the person to the left or right of you, or the superior or the subordinate — it means something.” – U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Ray Chandler

  
  

  
  

  Read More »

  Categories: Real Warriors Campaign/Stigma , Personal Stories , Families , DCoE , Treatment , Psychological Health , Leadership   |   Comments (2)