Military Mental Health

Question 1

Korea and WWII common concerns

Answer 1

Agent Orange Exposure
Chemical warfare agents and experiments
Cold injury (esp WWII)
Exposure to nuclear weapons

Question 2

Agent Orange Exposure

Answer 2

Agent Orange = common name for 2 herbicides that were mixed together
Chemical dioxin formed as a contaminating byproduct
Assoc c variety of possible illnesses in following years

Question 3

Concerns for Vietnam vets

Answer 3

Agent Orange Exposure
Hep C
Tropical Disease - Malraia
PTSD

Question 4

Concerns for Gulf War vets

Answer 4

Chemical or biological agents
depleted uranium exposure
derm issues
Esposure to smoke, sandstorms
Immunizations
Infectious diseases - ex. Lieshmaniasis

Question 5

Difference in Global War in Terrorism (OEF/OIF/OND)

Answer 5

Ongoing war
all volunteer force
men and women
possibility of redeployment
active duty, nat'l guard, reserves, and vets

Question 6

Problems common to GWT

Answer 6

PTSD
depression
suicidal ideations/parasuicidal activity
high risk behavior
subst abuse - ETOH, drugs (Rx and illegal)

Question 7

Common causes of PTSD in war zone

Answer 7

preparedness - anger
combat exposure - different wars
aftermath of battle
perceived threat
difficult living and working environment
sexual or gender harassment

Question 8

Common causes of dprssn in vets

Answer 8

isolation
separation from family
continued exposure to injured life threatening conditions
hopelessness

Question 9

vets c increased risk of suicide

Answer 9

need for ID, eval, and careful intervention for vets c depressive s&s
clinicians should monitor pts for s&s of other coexisting mental helath conditions and tx
>1/2 vets who committed suicide p Iraq or Afghanistan deployment were nat’l guard or reserve members

Question 10

ways soldiers re-experience trauma p being home

Answer 10

intrusive thoughts/memories
nightmares
flashbacks

Question 11

anger issues p coming home

Answer 11

anger was often only acceptable emotion in combat zone - hard to “turn it off” upon homecoming
anger may be misdirected at family members
elevated risk for domestic violence

Question 12

assess vets for high risk behavior

Answer 12

ETOH use
subs abuse - Rx or illegal
porn/risky sexual behavior
gambling
excessive speed
accidents
extreme sports or activities

Question 13

eval for vets in civilian setting

Answer 13

have you served in military? in a conflict? Have any porb’s b/c of this?
Have nightmares/cont’d thoughts d/t military service?
Have trouble in social situations - ex. going to the store, sporting events, etc?
ETOH, drugs, MVAs, other high risk beh.
Ask family members about concerns with pt r/t service or changes in beh.
Know community resources