DCoE Blog

• How to Stop Using Substances to Relax

  Posted by Beth Schwinn, DCoE Public Affairs from Real Warriors on October 11, 2016

  

  Having a glass of wine or beer is a common way to relax at the end of a day or week. But alcohol or other mood-enhancing substances can be an unhealthy and ineffective way to cope with bigger issues, as this post from Real Warriors explains.

  Substance misuse is a common concern facing service members, veterans and civilians. Substances like alcohol, tobacco and drugs may be used as a way to cope with stress related to combat, reintegration or a psychological health concern. Although using substances may feel like a way to unwind or give you relief, their misuse can have a lasting, serious impact on your life. These impacts can include harm to your health and relationships. They can also lead to work troubles, financial or legal difficulties, or even death.

  Categories: DCoE, Substance Misuse Treatment, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)

• Fortify Caregivers to Prevent Compassion Fatigue

  Posted by Sidney R. Hinds III, DCoE Public Affairs on September 23, 2016

  

  Compassion fatigue is a natural occurrence that may affect health care providers and the quality of care they provide to patients, a professor of social work said in a psychological health webinar hosted last month by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.

  Brian E. Bride, a professor of social work at Georgia State University and editor in chief of “Traumatology: An International Journal,” outlined the risks of compassion fatigue. Bride also explained strategies caregivers can apply to minimize its impact on their mental states and on the care they provide.

  Compassion fatigue occurs in caregivers who regularly treat patients who have experienced trauma. This secondhand trauma can produce symptoms identical to those of posttraumatic stress disorder, including intrusive thoughts, irritability, loss of emotional control and loss of concentration. These symptoms may affect providers’ ability to respond to patients.

  Recent studies of health care providers indicate that close to half of providers experience compassion fatigue and a significant portion say it negatively affects their work.

  Categories: DCoE Webinar Rewind, Resilience, DCoE Products, DCoE, Treatment, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)

• Military Health Experts Share How 9/11 Shaped Future Careers

  Posted by DCoE Public Affairs on September 16, 2016

  

  This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. This moment in history shaped our nation and our military. Many Americans felt called to serve. The men and women who were already in uniform serving were reminded of why they signed up, the vow they took and commitment to defending our nation.

  Almost everyone remembers where they were the moment the planes hit the Twin Towers or the Pentagon. It’s a memory that is etched in our minds forever. This year for the anniversary, the Defense Health Agency posted stories from staff members. Below is an excerpt of our own staff at the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE). Visit health.mil for a complete list of stories.

  Categories: Personal Stories, DCoE, Leadership   |   Comments (0)

• DCoE Director: Honing our Efforts to Reduce Suicide - a Public Health Scourge

  Posted by Navy Capt. (Dr.) Mike Colston, DCoE director on September 6, 2016

  

  This article by Capt. Mike Colston, director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, is reposted from the Military Health System in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

  Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a national observance during the month of September, but suicide prevention is a priority for the Department of Defense (DoD) every day of the year. Suicide is a pressing public health issue. Suicide rates have increased alarmingly in the U.S. over the past two decades. The Defense Health Agency (DHA) will lead in preventing suicide through three lines of action: fostering research, translating clinical knowledge to the field and informing policy.

  Research

  The evidence base for suicide prevention remains thin. Research efforts such as the “Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Service members Longitudinal Project” (STARRS-LP) and protocols under the cognizance of the Military Suicide Research Consortium are producing slow but hard-won gains in the science of suicidology.

  Categories: Suicide, DCoE, Depression, Psychological Health, Leadership   |   Comments (2)

• Counting Sheep? 10 Tips to Help Foster Healthy Sleep Habits

  Posted by Sarah Heynen, DCoE Public Affairs on August 10, 2016

  

  Sleep is important for healthy brain function, emotional well-being and overall good physical health. But many service members and veterans are not getting the sleep they need. A study conducted by Rand Corp. determined about 70 percent of deployable service members reported six hours or less of sleep per day, almost half said they sleep poorly and one-third felt fatigued three to four times per week.

  Psychological health concerns or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may make sleep even more difficult. Sleep disturbances are common for those recovering from a brain injury, while nightmares are common for those who have experienced trauma. Making simple changes to your behavior and environment — sleep schedule, bedtime habits and daily lifestyle choices — can help you get a better night’s rest.

  Categories: Sleep, DCoE Products, Patients, DCoE   |   Comments (0)

• TBI Patients Can Benefit from Performance Triad Plan

  Posted by Mikelle D. Smith, DCoE Public Affairs on August 4, 2016

  

  Most clinicians know that patients achieve optimum physical health by eating healthy nutrient-based foods, staying active and consistently getting at least eight hours of quality sleep every night. But for patients with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), these tasks may be challenging.

  “Regardless of the mechanism of injury, TBI can result in significant neurological impairment, acute clinical symptoms and functional disturbances,” said Gary McKinney, chief, office of clinical practice and clinical recommendations at Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC).

  McKinney and other experts from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, spoke about how primary care providers can apply the key focus areas of the Army Performance Triad (sleep, activity and nutrition) to boost patient recovery from TBI during a Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) webinar July 14.

  Categories: DCoE Webinar Rewind, Traumatic Brain Injury, DCoE Products, DCoE, Providers, Treatment   |   Comments (0)