Chapter Three:
Injuries and Symptoms
If you you recently returned from the war―or if your friend or family member did―you are probably asking questions like these. The amount of medical information out there can seem overwhelming and may be difficult to find, so in order to provide you with the critical information you need to quickly answer these questions, we have asked some of the contributors to this book to assemble information you will need to know in order to understand and immediately address different types of war-related injuries.
The amount of medical information available can seem overwhelming to returning service members, veterans, and their families, so in order to provide readers with the critical information they need to quickly answer important questions, this chapter compiles tables of information that they will need to know in order to understand and immediately address the symptoms of the “signature injuries” of the current conflicts:
The first table is a listing of the symptoms of PTSD. Veterans can use this list to see if they are displaying any (or how many) symptoms. The table also offers an explanation of each symptom so that family members and friends can understand what their veteran is acting in certain ways. The table also offers suggestions of what friends and family members can do to help the veteran with each symptom.
The next table answers the same questions about depression―What are the symptoms? Why would a veteran react this way? And what can family and friends do to help the veteran?
Problematic or negative thinking styles can increase the number of symptoms you might experience and the level of pain that accompanies them. To understand when and how you might be thinking in problematic styles, this table lists examples of each style. You can use this table to see when you are thinking this way so that you can stop yourself and reframe your interpretation of your situation and decrease potential negative thoughts, pain, and feelings of helplessness.
The next table is a list of the symptoms of traumatic brain injury. If you see yourself displaying any of these symptoms, please get checked by a medical professional.
Concluding this chapter is a list of some of the most common physical
ailments affecting the veterans of the current conflict. Listed with each aliment is a Web-based resource that you can access to learn more about each ailment and what resources are available to help you receive help with it.
The material in these tables is no substitute for a consultation with a
medical professional and we recommend only using the tables as a starting point in your discussions about your injuries.
If you or your friend or family member have any thoughts about suicide or harming others, please contact 911 or either of these numbers―1 800 SUICIDE (800 784 2433) or 1 800 273 TALK (8255) and speak with a trained counselor immediately.
For other symptoms, please speak with medical professionals as soon as possible. You had a team by your side while you were deployed and your recovery is no different: physicians, therapists, and counselors are available to help you with any of the symptoms on these pages.
Authors:
Multiple contributors to the book.
