Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Patient's Name: _
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I Instruction to patient:
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Below is a list of problems and complaints that veterans sometimes have in response to stressful life experiences. Please read
each one carefully, put an "X" in the box to indicate how much you have been bothered by that problem in the last month.
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.•,Response: (1).1 (2). . (3).· (4) (5)
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Feeling distant or cut off from other people? I [
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Feeling emotionally numb or being unable to have loving
feelings for those close to you?
Instruction to patient: Below is a list of problems and complaints that veterans sometimes have in response to stressful life experiences.
Please read each one carefully, put an ·X" in the box to indicate how much you have been bothered by that problem in the last month.
i 5.
Having physical reactions (e.g., heart pounding, trouble
breathing, or sweating) when something reminded you of a
stressful military experience from the past?
Avoid thinking about or talking about a stressful military
! 6. experience from the past or avoid having feelings related to
it?
,
Avoid activities or situations because they remind you of a
7.
stressful military experience from the past?
Trouble remembering important parts of a stressful military
8.
experience from the past?
9. Loss of interest in things that you used to enjoy?
, 10. Feeling distant or cut off from other people?
Feeling emotionally numb or being unable to have loving
11.
ifeelings for those close to you?
. 12. Feeling as if your future will somehow be cut short?
I 13. Irrouble falling or staying asleep?
14. Feeling irritable or having angry outbursts?
: 15. IHaving difficulty concentrating?
16. Being "super alert" or watchful on guard?
I 17. Feeling jumpy or easily startled?
PCL-M for D5M-IV (11/1/94) Weathers, Litz, Huska, & Keane National Center for PTSD - Behavioral
Science Division
INFORMATION PAPER
DASG-HSl
10 March 2008
2. Talking Points
3. Facts.
b. Soldiers who are diagnosed with PTSD or identified during the Pre-Deployment
Health Assessment as having behavioral/mental health issues that might be
exacerbated by deployment are assessed further by a provider with behavioral health
expertise . If the Soldier is determined to be non-deployable, they should be given a
profile stating their limitations. If their psychiatric situation is stable, they may be
deployed and followed-up by a behavioral health provider in theater.
DASG-HSZ
6 July 2008
2. Facts:
a. This information paper is being written to inform the public on screening for
PTSD, specifically 'What are you doing to ensure that Soldier's identified with a
pre-existing personality disorder aren't wrongfully discharged when the real
problem is something else such as PTSD or TBI? "
g. All Army deploying behavioral health providers now attend the Combat and
Operational Stress Control Course. Emphasizing the policies above is part of the
curriculum. This information is also reinforced at the annual Force Health
Protection conference.
a. Continue to ensure that Soldiers are carefully evaluated and treated for
PTSD, TBI , and other psychiatric illnesses .
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INFORMATION PAPER
DASG-HSZ
7 March, 2008
2. Facts.
a. We have pre-deployment screening process that identifies Soldiers at risk. They get a
face-to-face assessment with a provider. Providers make a recommendation to
Commanders about deployability of Soldiers; Commanders use their best judgment
based on mission requirements, etc. and make the final decision, taking into
consideration medical recommendations.
b. Soldiers who are diagnosed with PTSD or identified during the Pre-Deployment
Health Assessment as having behavioral/mental health issues that might be
exacerbated by deployment are assessed further by a provider with behavioral health
expertise. Guidance on Deployment Limiting Psychiatric Conditions is delineated in the
Health Affairs Policy issued in November, 2006. If the Soldier is determined to be non-
deployable, they should be given a profile stating their limitations. If their psychiatric
situation is stable, they may be deployed and followed-up by a behavioral health
provider in theater.
d. There are few medications that are inherently disqualifying for deployment to all
potential operational locations and at all times during the conduct of operations. Clinical
proximity, tempo and demand of operations, and time during the deployment rotation
must be considered when determining use of psychotropic medications in the
operational environment. Service branch specific standards must also be considered
(aviators for example). Medications disqualifying for deployment include antipsychotics
used to control psychotic, bipolar, and chronic insomnia symptoms; lithium and
anticonvulsants to control bipolar symptoms. Personnel diagnosed with psychotic or
bipolar spectrum disorders will be recommended for return to their home station.
Service members with other conditions that are determined to be at significant risk for
performing poorly or decompensate in the operational environment, or whose conditions
does not significantly improve within two weeks of treatment initiation, will be clinically
recommended for return to their home station, in consultation with their Commander.
e. An Army policy was issued in April 2007, which provided implementing guidance and
the waiver process. Waivers need to be submitted to and approved by the CENTCOM
Surgeon. Since April, 70 waiver requests have been received, and sixteen have been
denied.
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