| 7 Issues that Inform you about Readjustment, Intervention, Family Support, Diagnosis and A New Life Ahead
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Common Diagnosis, Medications and Side Effects Of Veteran Readjustment Problems
One of the most challenging aspects of war related mental illness is the
identification of the illness. There are no specific blood tests or specific
medical tests that identify psychological illness. The diagnosis of a mental
illness is based on a checklist of criteria. Many of the illnesses can have
aspects of the other. For example, hypersensitivity (overly sensitive to
light, sound, etc.) can be a symptom of several disorders.
Gulf War, OEF and OIF illnesses are extremely complicated. MANY symptoms
can indicate either a readjustment, medical OR a psychological illness. Many
MEDICAL illnesses DO have tests that can "rule out" problems. It is
suggested that you work closely with healing care team (physicians,
counselors, etc.) to make sure they are communicating with each other. If
your veteran is NOT showing signs of improvement, then do not
hesitate to request further tests or seek a healing practitioner that will
LISTEN TO YOU, work with you, and help you and your veteran to find relief.
The MOST important thing is that YOU and YOUR veteran become educated
about the diagnosis AND any medications used to treat the diagnosis.
ALWAYS ASK ABOUT THE DIAGNOSIS AND MEDIATIONS and for a TREATMENT PLAN.
Everything that affects your veteran, affects you and your family. If
your veteran has been diagnosed with a psychological illness, you will need
to work as a team to communicate and support one another.
Following is a list of common psychological diagnoses for many Veterans
and some helpful hints to be aware of when working with your healing team
and family. Also, some web links are identified to give you further
information.
Disclaimer: Veterans' Families United Foundation does not guarantee
results or outcome of the information provided in any of its materials.
NEW! PTSD/Mental Health Related Drugs
that are under FDA Investigation for Safety Issues:
Cymbalta
Seroquel
Common Psychological Diagnoses for Many
Veterans
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
(see www.nami.org for a more specific
definition – National Alliance for the Mentally Ill)
This diagnosis may be given when the soldier’s primary complaint is memory
and focus and concentration problems.
Common medications for this disorder are amphetamines (Adderall, Concerta,
Retalin, etc). These are highly addictive. MUCH CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN
if any of these are prescribed. Most any person, sick or not, that takes
amphetamines will feel better initially. Amphetamines are considered
"controlled dangerous substances" and should be considered very, very
carefully before taking them.
It is possible that soldiers who have experienced extreme sleep
deprivation and circadian rhythm disruption (irregular and brief periods
of sleep over long periods of time, as experienced during wartime) can
also suffer from memory and concentration problems.
In addition, there are a few studies that indicate that OIF and OEF
soldiers that took anthrax and malarial inoculations may be experiencing
problems that mimic ADHD. Advise your medical/counseling team especially
if your veteran took the anthrax inoculation.
If the veteran in your life is not sleeping and/or is sleeping
erratically, this should be discussed thoroughly with the medical
practitioner. Also, if your veteran DID NOT have ADHD BEFORE GOING TO
WAR, be very cautious about accepting this diagnosis and seek several
opinions.
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
(see www.nami.org for a more specific
definition)
Significant sleeping, eating, sexual and relationship changes are symptoms
of major depression. Changes in hygiene indicate reasons for immediate
concern and intervention.
Common medications for this disorder include several categories. One
category must be used with extreme caution and that is SNRI’s
(selective serotonin and norephinephrine reuptake inhibitors) or any
norephinephrine based medication.
Often, major depression can be associated with other mental or physical
illnesses. Many PTSD suffers, for instance, have an imbalance of
norephinephrine. Adding more to a soldier’s already dysregulated system
can cause even more challenges.
MEDICATION ONLY REMEDIES ARE NOT ADVISED!
Effective treatment includes many areas of help including medical,
pharmacological, counseling, nutritional, herbal, energy healing, etc.
Only doing part of these or doing them randomly will not address the
problem as effectively.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
(see www.nami.org for a more specific
definition and www.ncptsd.va.gov
for information specifically related to war trauma and families)
Symptoms of this include sleep disrupted by nightmares, startle responses,
anxiety in going and doing certain activities that may trigger an unwanted
memory, panic attacks, and other anxiety related symptoms.
PTSD is an extremely complex mental illness that requires a comprehensive
approach to healing. Treatments effective in relieving symptoms can
include; medications, talk therapy, rest, stress reduction, adequate
nutrition and TIME and understanding, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization
Reprocessing), Exposure Therapy, guided imagery, etc.
The use of any norephinephine based medication to treat the depression
symptoms of PTSD should be used with extreme caution. Research also
indicates that alpha and beta blockers can be helpful for rapid pulse,
nightmares, and tense muscles (example: propranolol)
Finding a counselor and/or therapeutic group is also crucial to healing.
It is important to find out if the counselor has experience with PTSD and
the types of treatment that they use. Always ask for a treatment plan
from ALL practitioners and make sure that all members of the care team
(doctors, counselors, social workers) communicate and are aware of what
the other is doing.
An extreme result of long term, un or undertreated PTSD can be abnormal
hormone levels, particularly cortisol. Even medications like
anti-depressants that are SSRI's or SNRI's can CONTRIBUTE to the
dysregulation of hormones.
If your veteran continues to become extremely isolated, have extreme
lethargy or lack of energy, is overwhelmed by all stimulus and has to
"save up" energy to do simple tasks, it is critical that you investigate
hormone dysregulation.
Specialists include endocrinologists and some naturopathic physicians.
Blood and saliva tests are often used, and many times contradict one
another. YOU KNOW when something is wrong. Blood tests must be
SPECIFIC, and often the test will show negative results and the symptoms
continue. Do not give up. You deserve answers. You can tell if
something is seriously wrong with your veteran. Continue to seek healing
practitioners that really listen and are partners in healing. Do not
settle for being minimized or discounted or anyone that infers that "it is
all in your head". Seek someone who will listen and work with you.
Do NOT settle for NO answer.
- Bi-Polar Disorder (Manic/Depressive)
(see www.nami.org for a more specific
definition)
This diagnosis may be given if your veteran complains of period(s) of
depression and periods of elation. There are several sub-types of bi-polar
also.
Be very cautious with this diagnosis. Many of the symptoms (behaviors) of
veterans can APPEAR like bi-polar, but may be otherwise. The greatest
challenge of a misdiagnosis is that medications used to treat bi-polar may
have a negative impact on the soldier.
If your veteran is drinking alcohol excessively and or using any stimulant
excessively (caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines-prescribed or not) it is
very, very important that you or your veteran discuss use of any drug that
with your healing practitioners. The excessive use of these substances can
mimic symptoms that may be consider "manic" or "depressive" by the health
care professional.
- Substance Dependence
(see www.nami.org for a more specific
definition)
Veterans who return home and are having difficulty adjusting, often use
drugs and alcohol to "self" medicate. They are often not willing to admit
that they are having trouble and will make efforts to ease their symptoms.
Some veterans use alcohol to "relax" and any "upper" (caffeine, nicotine,
amphetamines, etc.) to help them stay awake and/or alert.
Excessive and prolonged use of depressants and stimulants begin to add to
existing problems. Deeper psychological problems cannot be addressed if
the veteran is excessively self-medicating.
Also, many times, the veteran will use excuses to take substances.
However, a good rule of thumb is that if ANY substance begins to ADD
problems to work, family, social, etc., then they ARE a problem.
Effective help for substance dependence can be found in 12 step groups
like Alcoholics Anonymous (www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
and Narcotics Anonymous www.na.org) . Many
VA Hospitals also have Substance Dependence programs.
It is often a "rule of thumb" that the Substance Dependence must be
addressed first before addressing other mental health issues.
Adding any type of medication to a person that is substance dependent can
often intensify, mask and prolong the problem.
If the use of alcohol or substances is disrupting your family on a regular
basis, if you feel like you are walking on "egg-shells" and WANT your
veteran to use a substance so he/she will "calm down", then those are good
indications that your veteran has a substance abuse problem that needs
addressed… and that you may need the help of AlAnon or other 12-step
groups that help with co-dependency.
- Sleep Disorders
(see www.nami.org for more specific
definitions)
Many veterans that return have sleep problems. These problems can come
from a variety of things like time change, continued sleep deprivation
and/or disruption in wartime, etc.
It is pretty predictable that the soldier will have dysregulated sleep.
However, it can become a serious problem if it does not start to
"normalize". If your veteran cannot go to sleep at night, wakes at all
hours of the night, or does not readjust to a normal sleep cycle, SEEK
HELP IMMEDIATELY. Continued disruption of sleep can add to, and in
fact, cause other problems OR may be the result of PTSD. Regardless, lack
of sleep, disruption of sleep and irregular sleep MUST BE ADDRESSED.
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Physical Problems that can appear like Psychological Problems
NEW! Veterans who experiencing any of the following may want to consider more
extensive medical evaluations to determine if they have been exposed to "squalene"
an adjuvant used in the Anthrax inoculation. As you can tell, some of these
symptoms can "look like" mental health symptoms (headaches, memory loss and
cognitive dysfunction), but if any of these other symptoms are present, may
require additional medical tests. You can request these tests from your
private or VA Medical Primary Care Physician.
If any of the tests are outside the "normal" range, you should ask “why”
and "what you should do next". The goal is to know and understand WHAT is
happening so that you have an opportunity to make good choices about your
care and lifestyle.
- Joint and muscle pain
- Severe headaches which began after anthrax shots
- Rashes
- Seizures
- Memory Loss
- Cognitive Dysfunction
- Blood Clots
- Bleeding Disorders
- Abnormal Thyroid Function
- Multiple Myeloma
- Problems like MS, Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ALS, polymyositis,
optic neuritis, aplastic anemia
- Any abnormal blood cell counts
- Dizziness
- Abnormal brain scans
- Abnormal EEG's
- Chronic fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
- Diarrhea
Medical tests to be run include:
- ANA
- ANCA
- Rheumatoid factor
- ESR
- CRP
- CPK
- CBC with diff.
- Anti-dsDNA (whether ANA is positive or not)
- Anti-RNP
- Complement C3 and C4
- Thyroid profile with TSH
- Anti-thyroid microsomal antibodies
- Antineuronal Antibodies
- Anti-MBP,
- Anti-MAG
More information on the use of "Squalene" in the Anthrax inoculation is
included in the Squalene research papers included here:
Antibodies to Squalene in Gulf War Syndrome
Antibodies to Squalene in Recipients of
Anthrax Vaccine
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Helpful Hints:
- Learn as much as you can about the diagnosis.
- Learn as much as you can about the treatment and medications.
- If the treatment and medications are not making things better OR are
making things worse, TALK TO YOUR healing professional. If they do not
respond, seek other opinions. You deserve to be heard.
- Ask your care team what the Treatment Plan is and to communicate to
other members of the care team.
- Seek help yourself. You will need support during this time.
- Ask the healing professional what you can do to support your soldier.
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Resources that may be Helpful:
- www.healthjourneys.com
Resources by author Belleruth Naperstek for trauma. Invisible Heros:
Survivors of Trauma and How They Heal is an excellent book for PTSD/depression/anxiety
and there are wonderful healing CD’s available.
- www.emdr.com Information about Eye
Movement Desensitization Reprosessing and it’s healing potentional for
Trauma victims.
- www.emofree.com Information on
Emotional Field Therapy and it’s healing potential for Trauma victims.
-
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org Information on the AA 12 step program and
path of recovery and meetings available in your hometown.
- www.na.com Information on Narcotics
Anonymous and the 12 step program and path to recovery and meetings
available in your home town.
- www.coda.com Information on
Codependents Anonymous – learning how to live with an addicted person and
meeting availability in your hometown.
- www.tara-approach.com
Information on an energy healing process that can be helpful with trauma.
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Disclaimer: Veterans' Families United Foundation does not guarantee
results or outcome of the information provided in any of its materials |
Connecting
Veterans and their Families to Compassionate Resources.
