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olhamada · 12-13-2009, 21:40

Presenter: LTC Robert Forsten, MD – USASOC Command Psychiatrist
Lecture: PTSD in the SOF Community – Dx and Tx

PTSD is under-diagnosed. Long history of PTSD in combat soldiers. See it in historical documents from ancient times. Many in SOF community refuse to admit symptoms as they are perceived as psychological weakness. Abnormally hightens situational awareness on return to CONUS – doors banging, cars backfiring, people crowding, etc…. Patients become angry, aggressive, suspicious.

Physiologically, we see that in times of increased stress, adrenaline and cortical production/release is significantly increased which in turn significantly increases detailed memory formation.

Treatment includes behavioral therapy, counseling, and pharmacologic. First line pharmacologic therapy includes Paxil or Zoloft. Second line therapy includes Desyrel, Remeron, Wellbutrin, or Buspar. Tertiary therapy includes Minipress, Inderal, and atypical antipsychotics.

Differentiate between PTSD and TBI.

Assistance available though Military OneSource. Other assistance through www.strongbonds.org and www.army.mil/csf.

12-13-2009, 21:40	#9
olhamada Guerrilla Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Nashville Posts: 310	PTSD in the SOF Community – Dx and Tx Presenter: LTC Robert Forsten, MD – USASOC Command Psychiatrist Lecture: PTSD in the SOF Community – Dx and Tx PTSD is under-diagnosed. Long history of PTSD in combat soldiers. See it in historical documents from ancient times. Many in SOF community refuse to admit symptoms as they are perceived as psychological weakness. Abnormally hightens situational awareness on return to CONUS – doors banging, cars backfiring, people crowding, etc…. Patients become angry, aggressive, suspicious. Physiologically, we see that in times of increased stress, adrenaline and cortical production/release is significantly increased which in turn significantly increases detailed memory formation. Treatment includes behavioral therapy, counseling, and pharmacologic. First line pharmacologic therapy includes Paxil or Zoloft. Second line therapy includes Desyrel, Remeron, Wellbutrin, or Buspar. Tertiary therapy includes Minipress, Inderal, and atypical antipsychotics. Differentiate between PTSD and TBI. Assistance available though Military OneSource. Other assistance through www.strongbonds.org and www.army.mil/csf. __________________ "And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom?"- Braveheart *de Oppresso Liber* Last edited by olhamada; 12-13-2009 at 21:43.
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