DCoE Blog

• 2016 DCoE Summit Review: Center Offers Intensive Care for TBI Patients

  Posted by Sidney R. Hinds III, DCoE Public Affairs on October 3, 2016

  

  Doctors from the Fort Hood Intrepid Spirit Center in Killeen, Texas presented a multidisciplinary treatment approach for service members coping with the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the 2016 Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Summit Sept. 13-15.

  Dr. Scot Engel, a clinical psychologist and site director of the Intrepid Spirit Center, and Dr. John Dieter, a neuropsychologist and director of research, explained the Fort Hood Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), which helps service members who have deployed to combat zones or experienced sexual assault in the military. Candidates are eligible to participate with commander approval if they have not responded positively to lower-level treatments and have at least two of the following:

  • A history of TBI
  • Current experience with significant emotional distress
  • Chronic pain

  The program combines multiple disciplines to also treat service members with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

  Categories: Traumatic Brain Injury, Conferences, Treatment   |   Comments (0)

• Clinician’s Corner: Help Your Patients and Yourself Feel Comfortable Talking About Suicide

  Posted by Rebecca Kauten, Ph.D., Danielle Worthington, Ph.D., Jennifer Tucker, Ph.D., and Marjan G. Holloway, Ph.D., Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Laboratory for the Treatment of Suicide-Related Ideation and Behavior on September 30, 2016

  

  For the past eight years, suicide is among the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  Despite its prevalence, suicide remains a sensitive topic often considered taboo. The effects of stigma related to suicide are of particular importance for those in the military. There is a common perception among service members that if they share their thoughts of suicide with others, they may experience negative repercussions that will affect their careers.

  As mental health professionals, we too are susceptible to personal beliefs that perpetuate stigma. Without knowing it, we may bring these beliefs and fears (rooted in stigma) into the therapy room.

  Categories: Clinician’s Corner, Treatment, Psychological Health, prevention   |   Comments (0)

• ‘What Did You Say?’ Hearing Loss and Brain Injuries

  Posted by Myron J. Goodman, DCoE Public Affairs on September 28, 2016

  

  It’s no surprise that some symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) include headaches and memory problems. But hearing loss may also accompany a TBI, either because the injury damages the ear or because there is damage to the part of the brain that processes sound. In addition, loud noises that might just be irritating to people without a brain injury can cause problems such as headaches and fatigue for those with a TBI.

  Research continues to fully understand the mechanisms associated with hearing loss and auditory and vestibular (important part of the ear for balance) system injuries in individuals with TBI, said Katie Stout, director of clinical affairs for Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center. In the meantime, there are specialty treatments and rehabilitation strategies available for hearing and balance challenges in individuals with TBI.

  Categories: Traumatic Brain Injury, Resources, Treatment, prevention   |   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)

• Taking Time Off Enabled My TBI Recovery

  Posted by Eve Baker, Marine Corps reservist on August 31, 2016

  

  On May 5, 2005, I was riding my bicycle to work at Marine Corps Base Hawaii when I was hit head-on by a careless driver. If I hadn’t been wearing a helmet, I likely would have died instantly or at least been left with extremely severe brain damage. Even with a helmet, I was still knocked unconscious and experienced a TBI. After a few days in intensive care, I was sent home under the 24-hour supervision of my mother, a registered nurse, and my fiancé, a Marine and former emergency medical technician.

  The doctors said that for a while all I was allowed to do was sleep, read or watch TV. I don’t remember much of the first couple weeks out of the hospital because I slept a lot – 12 to 16 hours a day. That’s common after a head injury, and it was all I wanted to do.

  Categories: Women, Traumatic Brain Injury, My Voice, Treatment   |   Comments (0)

• Tips from Real Warriors: What to Expect in Therapy

  Posted by Sarah Heynen, DCoE Public Affairs from Real Warriors on August 24, 2016

  

  Most of us are familiar with a cartoon depiction of what therapy looks like: a person on a couch sharing personal fears to a serious looking provider who sits in a chair with a notepad analyzing every word. If this is your only experience of what therapy is, it can seem quite daunting! One barrier to seeking treatment for a treatable psychological health condition can be fear of the unknown. A recent article by Real Warriors shares tips on how to get ready for your first appointment, and what to expect during the process.

  Thinking about attending a therapy session for the first time might make you feel uncomfortable. You may think seeking care will make you look weak or others will lose confidence in your abilities. Know that reaching out is a sign of strength. Seeking care early can lead to positive outcomes that benefit you, your family and your unit.

  Categories: Real Warriors Campaign/Stigma, PTSD, Treatment, Depression, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)