scholarly journals Psychedelic treatment for co-occurring alcohol misuse and post-traumatic stress symptoms among United States Special Operations Forces Veterans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratheek Mangini ◽  
Lynnette A. Averill ◽  
Alan K. Davis
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Special Operations ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Special Operations Forces ◽  
Post Traumatic

Abstract Background & aims Special Operations Forces Veterans (SOFV) have unique treatment needs stemming from multiple repeated forms of combat exposure resulting in a complex sequela of problems including alcohol misuse and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Current approved pharmacologic treatments for alcohol misuse and PTSD are lacking in adherence and efficacy, warranting novel treatment development. The current study examined the correlations between psychedelic treatment and changes in alcohol misuse among trauma exposed United States SOFV. Method An anonymous internet-based survey was conducted among SOFV who completed a specific psychedelic clinical program in Mexico. Retrospective questions probed alcohol use and post-traumatic stress symptoms during the 30-days before and 30-days after the psychedelic treatment. A total of 65 SOFV completed treatment and were eligible for contact. Of these, 51 (78%) completed the survey, and 27 (42%) reported alcohol misuse (≥4 on the AUDIT-C) in the 30 days prior to treatment and were included in analyses (Mean Age = 40; male = 96%; Caucasian/White = 96%). Results There were significant and very large reductions in retrospective reports of alcohol use (P < 0.001; d = –2.4) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (P < 0.001; d = –2.8) and a significant and large increase in psychological flexibility (P < 0.001; d = –1.8), from before-to-after the psychedelic treatment. In the 30 days after treatment, 85% reduced their alcohol consumption to non-risky levels (33% abstinent; 52% non-risky drinking). Increases in psychological flexibility were strongly associated with reductions in alcohol use and post-traumatic stress symptoms (rs range 0.38–0.90; ps < 0.05). Conclusion Rigorous longitudinal studies should be conducted to determine whether psychedelic-assisted therapy holds promise as an intervention in this population.

Accelerated resolution therapy and a thematic approach to military experiences in US Special Operations Veterans

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjmilitary-2020-001729
Author(s):  
Diego Hernandez ◽  
K E Kip ◽  
C J Long ◽  
J L Redman
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
First Line ◽  
Special Operations ◽  
Traumatic Memories ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Special Operations Forces ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Art Research

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an emerging therapeutic intervention that has demonstrated effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression. The ART protocol aligns with first-line trauma-focused psychotherapies and clinical guides in the USA and UK. This review addresses previous ART research that includes members of US Special Operations Forces. Observations from that research has led to a thematic conceptualisation of trauma through ART interventions. These include three clusters of traumatic memories and several themes relevant to individual distress but not necessarily symptoms that meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD. ART represents a movement in treatment away from the symptoms, to the individuals’ story. Not only the story of an event, but how that experience becomes incorporated into one’s sense of identity. The themes identified (and treated with ART) appear to have broader application to the entirety of one’s military experience, not just PTSD. These themes may be helpful in directing treatment and may help to focus on significant aspects of service not traditionally associated with PTSD. Theoretically, some of these areas may have protective implications in suicide.

scholarly journals An analysis of post-traumatic stress symptoms in United States Air Force drone operators

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 480-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne Chappelle ◽  
Tanya Goodman ◽  
Laura Reardon ◽  
William Thompson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
United States Air Force ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic

scholarly journals Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in United States Air Force Aeromedical Evacuation Nurses and Technicians

2017 ◽  
Vol 182 (S1) ◽  
pp. 258-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie M. Swearingen ◽  
Tanya M. Goodman ◽  
Wayne L. Chappelle ◽  
William T. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
United States Air Force ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Aeromedical Evacuation ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic

Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Burnout in Doctors and Nurses Suffering Agressions

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gascon ◽  
J. P. Pereira ◽  
M. J. Cunha ◽  
M. A. Santed ◽  
B. Martinez-Jarreta
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Doctors And Nurses

scholarly journals Physiological parameters of mental health predict the emergence of post-traumatic stress symptoms in physicians treating COVID-19 patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Dolev ◽  
S. Zubedat ◽  
Z. Brand ◽  
B. Bloch ◽  
E. Mader ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Physiological Measures ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic

AbstractLack of established knowledge and treatment strategies, and change in work environment, may altogether critically affect the mental health and functioning of physicians treating COVID-19 patients. Thus, we examined whether treating COVID-19 patients affect the physicians’ mental health differently compared with physicians treating non-COVID-19 patients. In this cohort study, an association was blindly computed between physiologically measured anxiety and attention vigilance (collected from 1 May 2014 to 31 May 31 2016) and self-reports of anxiety, mental health aspects, and sleep quality (collected from 20 April to 30 June 2020, and analyzed from 1 July to 1 September 2020), of 91 physicians treating COVID-19 or non-COVID-19 patients. As a priori hypothesized, physicians treating COVID-19 patients showed a relative elevation in both physiological measures of anxiety (95% CI: 2317.69–2453.44 versus 1982.32–2068.46; P < 0.001) and attention vigilance (95% CI: 29.85–34.97 versus 22.84–26.61; P < 0.001), compared with their colleagues treating non-COVID-19 patients. At least 3 months into the pandemic, physicians treating COVID-19 patients reported high anxiety and low quality of sleep. Machine learning showed clustering to the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 subgroups with a high correlation mainly between physiological and self-reported anxiety, and between physiologically measured anxiety and sleep duration. To conclude, the pattern of attention vigilance, heightened anxiety, and reduced sleep quality findings point the need for mental intervention aimed at those physicians susceptible to develop post-traumatic stress symptoms, owing to the consequences of fighting at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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