PTSD Take-Home Educational Packet for Family-to-Family Participants

Susan J. McCutcheon, RN, EdDDirector, Family Services, Women’s Mental Health and Military Sexual TraumaDepartment of Veterans Affairs

Presented at the 2007 NAMI National Convention

National Center for PTSD

MissionAdvance 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, PhDAssociate Director for EducationNational 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 PTSDE. 3 Main kinds of PTSD symptomsF. Other problems that occur with PTSDG. PTSD impairs work functioningH. Understanding the trauma survivor’s anger

Understanding and Coping with PTSD

2. How Does PTSD Affect Families?A. Families can have many reactionsB. What families can do to care for themselves and their family memberC. Family’s role in encouraging the family

member to seek helpD. Role of family in treatment

Understanding and Coping with PTSD

3. The Recovery Process: Improving Coping, Finding TreatmentA. Coping with PTSDB. Lifestyle changes – taking controlC. What happens in treatment for PTSDD. What to ask the providerE. Treatment optionsF. VA services for Veterans

Understanding and Coping with PTSD

4. Useful Internet Linkshttp://www.va.gov

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