PTSD Take-Home Educational Packet for Family-to-Family Participants Susan J. McCutcheon, RN, EdD Director, Family Services, Women’s Mental Health and Military Sexual Trauma Department of Veterans Affairs Presented at the 2007 NAMI National Convention

National Center for PTSD

Mission Advance the clinical care and social welfare of America’s veterans through research, education, and training in the science, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and stress related disorders.

Divisions of the National Center for PTSD

The National Center consists of seven centers of excellence across the US  Executive   Behavioral Science Clinical NeuroSciences     Women’s Health Sciences Evaluation Pacific Islands EDUCATION

Education Division of National Center for PTSD The Education Division in Palo Alto specializes in developing a variety of multimedia educational materials.

The PTSD Take-Home Education Packet was developed by: Josef I. Ruzek, PhD Associate Director for Education National Center for PTSD – Education Division

Understanding and Coping with PTSD 1.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ?

A. War zone experiences B. Reactions can develop into PTSD C. PTSD is a common problem D. Biological basis of PTSD E. 3 Main kinds of PTSD symptoms F. Other problems that occur with PTSD G. PTSD impairs work functioning H. Understanding the trauma survivor’s anger

Understanding and Coping with PTSD 2.

How Does PTSD Affect Families?

A. Families can have many reactions B. What families can do to care for themselves and their family member C. Family’s role in encouraging the family member to seek help D. Role of family in treatment

Understanding and Coping with PTSD 3. The Recovery Process: Improving Coping, Finding Treatment A. Coping with PTSD B. Lifestyle changes – taking control C. What happens in treatment for PTSD D. What to ask the provider E. Treatment options F. VA services for Veterans

Understanding and Coping with PTSD 4.

Useful Internet Links http://www.va.gov

http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/ http://ncptsd.va.gov

http://www.istss.org/ http://www.nimh.nih.gov/ healthinformation/ptsdmenu.cfm

Understanding and Coping with PTSD 5.

Quick Checklist of Questions to Ask the Doctor A. Identifying symptoms and problems B. Possible questions

Understanding and Coping with PTSD Thank you for supporting our veterans and their families!