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Traumatic Brain Injury & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Traumatic Brain Injury & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Washington D.C. August - 2008. Traumatic Brain Injury. An estimate up to 30% of OIF/OEF suffer mild, moderate and severe brain trauma 60% of bomb blast victims have TBI

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Traumatic Brain Injury & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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  1. Traumatic Brain Injury & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Washington D.C. August - 2008

  2. Traumatic Brain Injury • An estimate up to 30% of OIF/OEF suffer mild, moderate and severe brain trauma • 60% of bomb blast victims have TBI • Many mild injuries are remedied within 90 days • Approximately 2,000 have been treated • Many avoid screening or do not fully disclose • 80% of TBI also have PTSD

  3. TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY • Number one cause of disabilities, if strokes and dementia are included • Not one description of TBI – each one is different • IED’s create blasts of 800 to 2,000 mph • Recovery can take days, weeks, years and may be incomplete

  4. Common Symptoms • Alertness and Concentration can be Impaired • Self Awareness can be Distorted • Inaccurate Perceptions • Memory and Learning • Reasoning and Planning • Problem Solving • Speech and Language • Motor Control • Emotions

  5. Working with Individuals with TBI • Encourage use of notebook • Gently remind the person of correct details of past and present events • Confirm accurate information with other people • Arrange for consistency in routine tasks • Limit changes in daily routine • Provide detailed explanations of even the most basic changes • Realize that fatigue is a huge factor

  6. What to Do • Start the process back to work slowly • Have them do volunteer work a few hours a day • Connect with their peers at work • Maybe start with a part time job that is low stress and somewhat routine • Utilize strategies like work-hardening, and supported employment • Work closely with their supervisor while they get back into their previous job, if possible

  7. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • Many do not seek help – do not want to be seen as “weak” • May feel great guilt – just for surviving • Do not recognize own symptoms for a long time • Often a major event will bring PTSD to surface

  8. Possible Symptoms • Sleep problems • Restlessness • Overly watchful or hyper vigilant • Social withdrawal • Headaches or changes in personality • Anger outbursts, out of character • Changes in alcohol use • Risk taking behaviors • Thoughts of death

  9. PTSD – What to do • Follow your health professional’s advice; take medication, continue with therapy • Take care of themselves • Don’t self medicate • Break the cycle • Talk to someone • Consider a support group

  10. PTSD – How you can help • Ask what jobs they would consider • Avoid highly stressful jobs • Monitor them closely on the job • Make sure they are following the recommended guidelines from their therapist • Have them keep a log of what seems to trigger their emotions and then ask what they think causes problems at work or what they are experiencing on the job now.

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