Moral Injury In Veterans And Active Duty Military With Ptsd

This eBook focuses on a relatively new frontier in psychiatry, the topic of “moral injury” (MI), which is examined here in the setting of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Veterans and Active Duty Military. We define MI, describe how to identify it by screening, explain the impact that MI has on mental health outcomes (particularly PTSD and mental health problems often associated with PTSD), and provide information on what clinicians can do about it. While the focus here is on Veterans and Active Duty Military, MI is much more widespread than just among former or current military personnel. Healthcare professionals, first responders, clergy, and many patients seeking mental health care are also likely suffering from MI, which is not recognized or treated because clinicians are not familiar with it. Burnout among health professionals and those engaged in other high-stress occupations may often have MI as an underlying condition that is driving the burnout or related emotional condition. Therefore, psychiatrists and all mental health professionals must know about this syndrome, utilize the tools now available to identify it, and learn about interventions that can be employed to treat it. Success in treating many of the common mental health conditions that appear resistant to treatment may depend on knowing about this new (yet very old) syndrome.

A complete guide to an innovative, research-based brief treatment specifically developed for service members and veterans, this book combines clinical wisdom and in-depth knowledge of military culture. Adaptive disclosure is designed to help those struggling in the aftermath of traumatic war-zone experiences, including life threat, traumatic loss, and moral injury, the violation of closely held beliefs or codes. Detailed guidelines are provided for assessing clients and delivering individualized interventions that integrate emotion-focused experiential strategies with elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Reproducible handouts can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

The first book to explore the idea and effect of moral injury on veterans, their families, and their communities Although veterans make up only 7 percent of the U.S. population, they account for an alarming 20 percent of all suicides. And though treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder has undoubtedly alleviated suffering and allowed many service members returning from combat to transition to civilian life, the suicide rate for veterans under thirty has been increasing. Research by Veterans Administration health professionals and veterans’ own experiences now suggest an ancient but unaddressed wound of war may be a factor: moral injury. This deep-seated sense of transgression includes feelings of shame, grief, meaninglessness, and remorse from having violated core moral beliefs. Rita Nakashima Brock and Gabriella Lettini, who both grew up in families deeply affected by war, have been working closely with vets on what moral injury looks like, how vets cope with it, and what can be done to heal the damage inflicted on soldiers’ consciences. In Soul Repair, the authors tell the stories of four veterans of wars from Vietnam to our current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan—Camillo “Mac” Bica, Herman Keizer Jr., Pamela Lightsey, and Camilo Mejía—who reveal their experiences of moral injury from war and how they have learned to live with it. Brock and Lettini also explore its effect on families and communities, and the community processes that have gradually helped soldiers with their moral injuries. Soul Repair will help veterans, their families, members of their communities, and clergy understand the impact of war on the consciences of healthy people, support the recovery of moral conscience in society, and restore veterans to civilian life. When a society sends people off to war, it must accept responsibility for returning them home to peace.

This book helps clinicians conceptualize moral injury and select evidence-based approaches to incorporate in their therapeutic work with trauma survivors, particularly military service members and veterans.

This book takes a case-based approach to addressing the challenges psychiatrists and other clinicians face when working with American combat veterans after their return from a war zone. Written by experts, the book concentrates on a wide variety of concerns associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including different treatments of PTSD. The text also looks at PTSD comorbidities, such as depression and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other conditions masquerading as PTSD. Finally, the authors touch on other subjects concerning returning veterans, including pain, disability, facing the end of a career, sleep problems , suicidal thoughts, violence, , and mefloquine “toxidrome”. Each case study includes a case presentation, diagnosis and assessment, treatment and management, outcome and case resolution, and clinical pearls and pitfalls. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Related Diseases in Combat Veterans is a valuable resource for civilian and military mental health practitioners, and primary care physicians on how to treat patients returning from active war zones.

This state-of-the-science guide to assessing and treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in active-duty service members and veterans has now been extensively revised with 65% new material. Leading authorities review available evidence-based treatments, including individual, group, and couple and family therapy approaches. Knowledge about military culture, the stressors experienced by service members, and common challenges for both military and civilian practitioners is woven through the volume and reflected in the vivid case examples. Chapters on specific clinical issues delve into co-occurring affective, anxiety, substance use, and sleep disorders; treatment of particular types of trauma; suicide prevention; and more. New to This Edition *Chapters on additional treatments: mindfulness-based behavioral and cognitive therapies, stress inoculation training, cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy, group therapy, and complementary and alternative therapies. *Chapters on additional clinical issues: chronic pain, moral injury, complex traumatic stress disorders, and posttraumatic growth. *Updated throughout with the latest treatment research and DSM-5 diagnostic changes.

This document provides information on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and war-related stress for veterans & their families. It begins with background on PTSD and traumatic events, then describes common symptoms of PTSD and why they develop. The next section reviews problems associated with PTSD, such as depression, anxiety, and impacts on work & family. The final sections provide suggestions on coping with the disorder and describe treatment methods.

Authored by “the” foremost expert on providing EMDR therapy to the military/veteran population! Based on the profound expertise of the author—an EMDR therapist, consultant, and trainer who brings 33 years of military experience to his therapeutic work—this is a “how-to” manual on the unique treatment needs of active duty and veteran populations and how to help them using EMDR therapy. Following an examination of the defining characteristics and philosophy of military culture as they bear on effective therapeutic treatment, the book comprehensively applies the EMDR model to the active military/veteran population with a variety of presenting issues. Considering the clinical challenges of treating a population with repeated exposure to life-threatening experiences, moral injury, sexual assault, and other potentially debilitating trauma, the book addresses skill development, specific to EMDR treatment in detail. This go-to manual covers all the steps and processes of EMDR treatment from introducing EMDR therapy to the client to developing a sense of safety in the treatment arena. Allowing therapists trained in EMDR therapy to appropriately assess and address the clinical needs of the veteran by treating clients with both PTSD and traumatic brain injury; along with moral injury, military sexual trauma (MST), or suicidal ideation by recognizing and addressing avoidance and building motivation for treatment and treatment pitfalls. Case examples address clinical “stuck” points and a variety of treatment options when addressing a broad range of symptoms. The EMDR AIP model is incorporated into each case illustrating the veteran’s treatment goal, presenting symptoms, targeted memories, and clinical decision points in treatment. The print version of the book is also available in ebook format. Key Features: Addresses step-by-step EMDR skill development specific to this population Incorporates the EMDR eight-phase approach Delivers abundant case examples enhanced with clinical treatment options Includes a paradigm for evaluating the military and veteran’s initial clinical presentation Discusses treatment for clients with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, moral injury, sexual trauma, and suicidal ideation Considers the treatment needs of the military family · Includes a variety of helpful patient handouts