DCoE Blog

• Your Electronics May be Ruining Your Sleep

  Posted by Myron J. Goodman, DCoE Public Affairs on December 16, 2015

  Do you spend countless hours at night playing video games, watching TV and trolling on social media? Are you having trouble falling asleep? Using electronic devices more often for longer periods of time has a negative impact on sleep, according to a recent study presented at a webinar hosted by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Dec. 3.

  Sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, body temperature and other important bodily functions are controlled by a person’s circadian rhythm over a 24-hour period of time. Light exposure can disrupt sleep and affect the circadian rhythm, which is why research is looking at the how the increased use of electronics may be impacting our sleep. TV, computers, tablets and cell phones all produce what is referred to as blue light waves in dark rooms during night hours.

  Categories: DCoE Webinar Rewind, Technology, Research, Sleep, DCoE, Treatment, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)

• You Can Manage Holiday Stress, These Apps will Help

  Posted by Beth Schwinn, DCoE Public Affairs on November 23, 2015

  The holidays don’t always go as well as I’d like. Based on the story below from a Washington Post annual online sharing of holiday horror stories, that’s true for a lot of people:

  “We were doing a southwest theme so I was making a tequila lime turkey. I'm used to using wine for cooking and will often just dump more in if the sauce needs it. I checked on the turkey, realized the sauce needed a little more tequila, poured it over the turkey, mixed the sauce in the roasting pan, and put it back in the oven. About five minutes later I was standing by the sink. The oven door went flying open, there was a very loud WHOOOSH noise, and a giant fireball came shooting out the oven door.”

  Categories: Traumatic Brain Injury, Technology, Mindfulness, DCoE Products, Stress, Resources, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)

• Preventive Health: Tackle Life’s Challenges with Help from Self-Care Website

  Posted by Beth Schwinn, DCoE Public Affairs on August 3, 2015

  

  He considered suicide, worried about his uncle’s role in his father’s death, and thought his girlfriend was spying on him.

  If Hamlet had tools for his mental health concerns, his story might have ended differently.

  While Shakespeare’s famous character faced unique problems, self-doubt is universal and anyone can struggle with anxiety, paranoia or depression.

  It can be hard to figure out whether relationship problems or other issues are serious or temporary. If you’re trying to decide whether to take action on a problem, check out the assessments on the After Deployment website and its companion app, LifeArmor. The assessments, which cover a wide range of issues, are an “early-warning system” that an emotional, physical or psychological challenge may require professional help, according to research psychologist David Bradshaw of the National Center for Telehealth and Technology.

  “It’s a way to get some information and some help before things get worse,” Bradshaw said.

  Categories: Technology, DCoE Products, PTSD, Treatment, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)

• Q&A: Legal Tips for Telehealth Mental Counseling [Part Two]

  Posted by Beth Schwinn, DCoE Public Affairs on May 12, 2015

  
  U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rebekka Heite

  This is part two of a two-part series that summarizes tips offered during a recent webinar by Bryan T. Wheeler, deputy general counsel for the Defense Health Agency, on some of the legal and ethical issues involved in counseling service members online or via phone. Part one of the series covered general issues. This post addresses questions related specifically to the use of email and mobile apps.

  The rapid growth of websites, apps and other mobile technology to help mental health providers virtually communicate with patients presents new opportunities to reach service members and veterans. However, this tech-enabled practice, known as telemedicine or telehealth, raises some legal concerns for providers.

  Defense Health Agency Deputy General Counsel Bryan T. Wheeler addressed some of these concerns during a recent webinar.

  Categories: Technology, DCoE Products, Treatment, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)

• Q&A: Legal Tips for Telehealth Mental Counseling [Part One]

  Posted by Beth Schwinn, DCoE Public Affairs on May 6, 2015

  
  U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shejal Pulivarti

  This post is part one of a two-part series that summarizes tips offered during a recent webinar by Bryan T. Wheeler, deputy general counsel for the Defense Health Agency, on some of the legal and ethical issues involved in counseling service members online or via phone. Part one of the series covers general issues; part two will address questions related specifically to email and mobile apps.

  The rapid growth of websites, apps and other mobile technology to help mental health providers virtually communicate with patients presents new opportunities to reach service members and veterans. However, this tech-enabled practice, known as telemedicine or telehealth, raises some legal concerns for providers.

  Defense Health Agency Deputy General Counsel Bryan T. Wheeler addressed some of these concerns during a recent webinar.

  Categories: Technology, DCoE Products, Treatment, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)

• DCoE Blog Best of 2014: Posts Worth Re-reading

  Posted by Phillip Johnson, DCoE Public Affairs on December 25, 2014

  

  It was “Rapid” Robert Feller, National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and the first Major League Baseball player to enlist in World War II, who said, "Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again.”

  Throughout the year, we worked to apply that philosophy to our blog posts. Whether we highlighted new coping tools to help you or your loved one recover from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), different techniques to help surmount posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or more effective treatments, therapies and practices, the DCoE Blog team strived to feature important information for you and your family.

  Categories: Traumatic Brain Injury, Technology, Research, Personal Stories, Community Support, Depression, Psychological Health, Military Children   |   Comments (0)