Former Army Captain Darisse Smith was deployed to Iraq from 2005-2006 as a Kiowa helicopter pilot. “I lived in pain the entire time that I was deployed,” Smith said in a blog she created about her experiences. “My lower back was hurting, mostly due to the vibrations of the aircraft I was flying and inadequate seating.” Smith ended up with four back surgeries, followed by a spinal cord stimulator implant.
According to a press release announcing a new Institute of Medicine report -- Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Military and Veteran Populations: Initial Assessment: "Of the U.S. service members and veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and screened positive for PTSD symptoms, about 40 percent have received a referral for additional evaluation or treatment, and of those referred, about 65 percent go on to receive treatment."
Another week comes to a close, which means it's time for another round of announcements about the latest happenings as the Center for Deployment Psychology. First up this week, we'd like to welcome two new members to the CDP staff. Millie Rogers is joining the team as Strategic Communicator and Michelle Cornette is coming on board as a Subject Matter Expert.
The CDP's weekly research update contains the latest news, journal articles and useful links from around the web. Some of this week's topics include:
• Examining aggression in male Vietnam veterans who receive VA services: The role of traumatic events and combat exposure.
• Importance of Patient Culture and Exergaming Design for Clinical Populations: A Case Series on Exercise Adherence in Soldiers with Depression.
Dissociation is not unusual during psychological traumatization, and dissociative symptoms commonly occur with PTSD. Its manifestation both peri-trauma and during trauma recall is disturbing to both patients and therapists. Some trauma experts believe dissociation plays a unique role in management of trauma-related distress. A dissociative subtype of PTSD is being considered for DSM-V.