Posted on Feb 25, 2016
A1C Small Business Owner
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I ask this question because I have seen how it effects one soldier and then the way it effects another. One can't be around anyone and is always on the edge and the other has a good job and has a side business, but was also discharged with PTSD. I use my father as an example of someone who never came all the way home and can't be around people. I mean no offense to anyone.
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SGT Jonathon Caldwell
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Yes. That is also how the VA rates PTSD is on the severity and how it affects your everyday life.
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SGT Jonathon Caldwell
SGT Jonathon Caldwell
8 y
http://www.vva.org/ptsd_levels.html
~632898: A1C Robert Adams] - here is a link with a brief breakdown of the way the VA rates PTSD.
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A1C Small Business Owner
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SPC James Dollins
SPC James Dollins
8 y
SGT Jonathon Caldwell - I looked over your link. Is it an actual 'test' or is it just by 'opinion' by the doc that computes the 'score'?
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SGT Jonathon Caldwell
SGT Jonathon Caldwell
8 y
SPC James Dollins - it's all in how they perceive it. Mainly it's how it affects your life and how often.
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CPT Clinical Psychology
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As a clinical psychologist and a behavioral health officer I can honestly say that a PTSD diagnosis can vary in intensity. Another poster pointed out that the severity of the stress reaction has multiple component parts (i.e, the activating event, the meaning making of why the event occurred, belief structures, and community response). What makes a PTSD diagnosis is whether it impairs the primary areas of functioning (social, occupational, and interpersonal). There are also subtypes of PTSD called delayed expression and dissociative type.
In my experience PTSD is deeply cognitive and emotional which adds another level in that there are some that have been diagnosed and rely on thoughts and problem solving to manage the symptoms. On the other hand some who live with this diagnosis have learned to shut out or off all emotional responses, consequently making them emotionally volatile when triggered.
Treatments vary in intensity as well. There are four primary treatments modalities Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). PE is the most intense treatment and extremely challenging for an emotionally constricted and cognitively rigid individual. CPT involves a good amount of work outside the therapy office and focuses on belief structures and meaning making. EMDR involved bilateral eye movements which allows the brain to reprocess the traumatic memory so the individual can heal and let the event be a memory. EMDR can be very effective for MST's and multiple traumas. ACT, said as a word, is a values driven cognitive behavioral therapy that primarily focuses on moving towards post traumatic growth. All modalities are evidenced based and effective for resolving a diagnosis of PTSD. The challenge lies with combating the driving force of the diagnosis, AVOIDANCE. The brain is a wonderful problem solver and when dealing with pain and self preservation we avoid things that are unpleasant. Consequently, the power of the traumatic event overloads the fear response and creates a state of hyper alertness so the system and the individual are ready to fight or run from any real or perceived threat. The avoidance works in the short term and then stops working after several year (7-10yrs in my experience). The individual is now living with PTSD and has avoided people, places, memories, emotions, and new experiences so much so that their functioning becomes impaired.
Great question and I am happy to see some many responses that point towards treatment and getting help, it works (IMHO) to reduce the stigma of getting help and opens the door to those who may otherwise suffer unnecessarily.
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CPT Clinical Psychology
CPT (Join to see)
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CSM Charles Hayden - I am not sure if RP has that ability. It would be great if they did as I believe this could be a great network of support for those suffering in silence.
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CPT Clinical Psychology
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A1C (Join to see) - Again, avoidance becomes the norm for most who suffer with PTSD for longer than 30 years. It is possible that in his mind he is protecting himself, the people he loves, and still trying to contribute to society. There are good values there, however they may be used to confirm for him that what he is doing is the safer and easier route (which is avoidance). My only request is that you utilize my perspective (not knowing your father) as a means for understanding him and helping him if he is willing. I do not pretend to know what path your father has walked, I know that it is a difficult path.
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A1C Small Business Owner
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8 y
CPT (Join to see) - Thank you Sir. I truly appreciate you insight.
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MSG Mechanic 2nd
MSG (Join to see)
8 y
a very good friend of mine, served in vietnam Navy Seal, when i came back from iraq 09, found out that he had been locked down 3 months VA psych, ptsd, he went all those years and it finally hit
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Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM
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Yes, they currently are using four stages of ptsd albeit there are additional degrees but the va is only using 4 at this time.
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PO3 Michael James
PO3 Michael James
8 y
Kimberly Bolen RN, Thank you.. now, just where does a Veteran receive an Honest and Fair diagnosis in reference to PTSD ?? Not VA ?? VA told me I had to wait for 6 months before a Doctor would check/evaluate status of my Aorta Arch Aneurysm !! I, instead went to and have been seen by a civilian Doctor, who never wanted to play wait and see !! Thank you..
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