In the world of treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) there seems to be an insatiable desire for new and novel treatments, and there is a frequent refrain that “We need effective treatments for PTSD!”
I love to read. Sure, I enjoy learning; but, there are just so many smart, thoughtful, funny, and witty people out there who find ways to say things better than I could ever imagine. Early in my career, I found myself bringing in quotes from my reading to share with my patients - these little nuggets of goodness that made me think of them or a situation we were talking about.
This past week, I shared information on a treatment for posttrauma nightmares called Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy for Children on the Center for Deployment Psychology’s podcast, “Practical for your Practice”. Given this, I began thinking a lot about current potentially traumatic or stressful events that have been going on around the world; and the need for more trauma-informed sleep solutions for military youth experiencing stressors and subsequent sleep problems.
There have been several points in my career where I was the sole (or sole pediatric) provider in a particular area. I remember those periods with a mixture of emotions: gratitude for the opportunity to serve those in need coupled with concern that I lacked geographically close colleagues or referral options for my patients. Consultation with colleagues (usually far away) was a lifeline and a way to ensure I offered the best evidence-based care I could, especially when patients were on long waitlists for referrals to other specialists who needed to be involved in their care. Nonetheless, at times I felt like I was operating within the echo chamber of my mind (pun intended).
In this blog, Jennifer Nevers, MSW, LCSW gives us a glimpse into her personal story of navigating family life during a drill weekend as an Army National Guard Soldier. She shares her experiences with logistical challenges, family-work life balance, expanding her support system, and finding connections through her lived experiences of military life.