----- Original Message -----

From: American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress

To: ShareHIPAA@...

Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 8:49 PM

Subject: Trauma Response E-News

September, 2004

Welcome to The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress’ Trauma Response E-News. The Academy recognized a need to share practical and timely information with survivors of traumatic events and those who care for them.  It is in this spirit that the Academy is providing this monthly e-newsletter as a public service.

  

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Terrorist Attack in Russia The Academy extends it's deepest sympathy to the countless numbers of victims of the senseless terrorist attack in Russia. You are in our thoughts and our prayers.

The Hidden Trauma The possibility of a terrorist attack is on all of our minds. In an effort to gain a sense of control, we are taking important steps prepare and equip emergency responders to address the physical and safety needs of survivors. While the stabilization of injury and the preservation of life must always be the priority, we must not overlook the hidden trauma - traumatic stress. Beyond physical and safety needs, we must also prepare to address emergent psychological needs during, and in the wake of, a terrorist attack. By doing so, we can keep people functioning and potentially prevent acute stress reactions from becoming chronic stress disorders. - Dr. Mark Lerner, President, AAETS

Traumatic Stress, Hurricanes and Young Children A study conducted at the University of Miami School of Medicine found that preschool-age children commonly exhibit symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after exposure to a life-threatening hurricane. Based upon reports from mothers, 16.5% of exposed children met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD one year after a hurricane and 11.6% continued to exhibit PTSD symptomatology eighteen months after. The presence of PTSD places young children at increased risk for failure to achieve normal development in cognitive, social, and emotional skills.

Preparing Children for a Hurricane One of the best ways to help children cope with a hurricane is to address their needs before it occurs. Talk with your children and explain some of the basic concepts of weather. It may be helpful to use photographs from books or from the Internet. Speak with children at a developmentally appropriate level and help them to understand that a hurricane, like any stressful situation, is a challenge that we can handle together.

Trauma Response® E-News Quote "The world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." -Helen Keller

Back to School Stress As the new school year begins, busy parents are faced with unique stresses. According to Melissa Stöppler, M.D., parents must take care of themselves. They should schedule at least a bit of time each day to enjoy things they love. Parents should give themselves permission to consider their own needs and wants as well as those of their children.

Preparation Eases Stress in an Emergency According to the American Red Cross, public preparedness needs to become a priority for the American public not only for the protection it can offer in the event of a disaster, but also for the sense of calmness it can provide even in incredibly troubling times.

More Woman Develop PTSD According to the National Institute of Mental Health, following exposure to a traumatic event, more than twice as many women as men experience PTSD.

Trauma Response® E-News Recommendation The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation's World Congress on Stress, Trauma & Coping is held every other year and attracts approximately 1,100 participants from across the U.S. and around the World. Over the course of five days (2 days of all-day pre-conference workshops and 2.5 days of the Congress), participants attend general sessions, breakouts, in-depth workshops, hot-topic lunch roundtable discussions, exhibits, posters, special interest meetings and social events. The World Congress has traditionally been held in Baltimore due to the city's proximity to ICISF headquarters, which enables ICISF to keep registration fees as low as possible. Attendance is multi-disciplinary, with participants representing the fields of emergency services, public safety, mental health, school administration & counseling, medical, military, clergy, security, business and industry, among others. For further information, visit the ICISF website.

Motor Vehicle Accidents and PTSD According to the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, one of the primary differences among people who have experienced a motor vehicle accident versus another traumatic event is the increased likelihood of being injured or developing a chronic pain condition. As a result, many people who have been in an MVA present first to their primary care physicians for treatment and do not consider psychological treatment for some time.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in America According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 5.2 million American adults ages 18 to 54 have PTSD.

Trauma Response® E-News Quote "There will always be a need for treatment. But I think the future lies in the area of how to make people crisis and trauma resistant…. We need to move into the area of primary prevention when it comes to acute and posttraumatic stress disorder." - George S. Everly, Jr., Ph.D.

Do You Know Someone Who is Living Through a Traumatic Experience? A New Audio Book Presentation On One Compact Disc Traumatic events are a part of life. In the same way that we rush to address our physical needs, we must also address our emotional needs. Surviving and Thriving, Living Through a Traumatic Experience was developed to ease the pain, keep people functioning and lessen the likelihood of long-term emotional suffering.  Most importantly, it will help people to see the opportunities that a crisis can bring.  http://www.crisisinfo.org/DrMarkLerner

Events Leading to PTSD According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the traumatic events most often associated with PTSD for men are rape, combat exposure, and childhood neglect and physical abuse. The most traumatic events for women are rape, sexual molestation, physical attack, being threatened with a weapon, and childhood physical abuse.

Childhood Abuse and Physical Health According to Kay Jankowsi, Ph.D., two recent studies found that reports of childhood abuse and neglect were related to an increase in physician diagnosed disorders including cancer, ischemic heart disease, and chronic lung disease.

School Crisis Response School crisis response can no longer be delegated solely to members of a School Crisis Response Team. Today, crisis management is the responsibility of all educators. This dramatically expanded publication provides a structure and process for effectively managing the wide spectrum of school-based crises. It is an invaluable resource in preparation for, and during, actual crisis situations and continues to serve as a meaningful standard for our nation's schools. For further information, visit http://www.crisisinfo.org/schoolcrisisresponse.

Treatment for Depressed Teenagers The Journal of the American Medical Association recently reported that teenagers suffering from depression improved more with a combination of an antidepressant and cognitive-behavior therapy than they did when treated with either separately. The government-funded study is the first to directly compare psychotherapy and medication treatment for teenagers.

What is Trauma Reduction, Inc.? Trauma Reduction Inc. was developed to address the needs of the emergency service and corporate communities with training and consultation. Vincent J. McNally, with his 31 years as an FBI Agent and his tenure as the Employee Assistance Administrator at FBI Headquarters, has developed a network of highly qualified consultants to assist "those who serve." It is estimated that he has saved the FBI "…tens of millions of dollars" in recruiting costs, by increased productivity programs, and decreasing legal fees. He currently serves on The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress' Board of Scientific & Professional Advisors.

Trauma Response® E-News Quote "An act of terrorism totally outside the bounds of international law and diplomatic tradition... a crisis [that] calls for firmness and restraint." -President Jimmy Carter

Paratroopers and PTSD The results of a recent military study show that 17.4 percent of paratroopers returning from service in Iraq are suffering from PTSD.

Workplace Stress The results of a study conducted in Britain found that the most stressful professions are teaching and nursing. An increase in violence towards nurses and teachers has contributed to rising stress levels along with workload and job demands.

Domestic Violence and PTSD A Yale University Study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that of men exposed to combat, 27.8% showed signs of PTSD over the past 12 months and 21% engaged in spousal or partner abuse. The study's authors note that, "adjusted estimates indicate that without exposure to combat, 21% of current abuse of one's partner or spouse would probably not have occurred had these men not been exposed to combat."

What are the Warning Signs of Divorce-Related Trauma? According to Helpguide.org, it is important to assess for signs of divorce-related trauma both during the divorce process and after the divorce is finalized. A child with divorce-related trauma may exhibit increased academic difficulties, trouble eating and/or sleeping, irrational fears, compulsive behavior, changes in mood, excessive anger or separation problems. A child who excessively complains or is always on his/her best behavior may also be experiencing divorce-related difficulties.

Academy Appoints Dr. George Rogu to the Board of Advisors The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress is pleased to announce that George Rogu, M.D., Founder of AdoptionDoctors, has been appointed as a Member of the Academy's Board of Scientific & Professional Advisors. A significant number of adopted children have been exposed to traumatic events. Adoptiondoctors regularly helps adoptive parents with complex pre-adoptive medical and psychosocial evaluations and post-adoptive care. Dr. Rogu is a native New Yorker who was born and raised in Queens New York. His family is originally from Romania and it was no surprise that he obtained his Medical Degree from the University of Medicine at Bucharest Romania. Dr. Rogu completed his Pediatric training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Since his residency, he has been practicing general Pediatrics with RBK Pediatrics in Long Island New York where he cares for numerous adopted and Foster children. Dr. Rogu lives in Long Island, is married and has two wonderful boys, Peter and Theodore. His wife Dr. Delia Rogu is a Pediatric Emergency room physician at a local hospital. They met in Medical school in Bucharest and both are prominent physicians in the Long Island community.

Academy Provides Identification Badges In the spirit of our times, it is becoming increasingly important to identify expertise in the field of traumatic stress.  The Academy will be issuing identification badges to all Members who achieve Certifications with the Academy. Members who have already achieved Certifications will receive an identification badge at the time of membership renewal.

Trauma Response® E-News Quote "Adversity is a powerful force... a force that can disable us, or propel us to achieve beyond our dreams." - Dr. Mark Lerner, President, AAETS

Membership with the Academy The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress is a multidisciplinary network of professionals committed to the advancement of intervention for survivors of trauma.  The Academy’s international membership includes individuals from over 200 professions in the health-related fields, emergency services, criminal justice, forensics, law, business and education.  With Members in every state of the United States and over 55 foreign countries, the Academy is now the largest organization of its kind in the world.  For information about Membership, the International Registry, the Academy’s Board Certification Programs in Traumatic Stress Specialties, Certification in Acute Traumatic Stress Management (ATSM), the Diplomate Credential, Fellowship and other benefits of Membership visit the Academy online at http://www.crisisinfo.org/AAETS.

Trauma Response® E-News Update Trauma Response® E-News, the Academy’s online newsletter, is now sent to over 2.6 million people every month!  If you wish to contribute practical information for survivors of traumatic events and those who care for them, please e-mail news, limited to five sentences, to the Academy.  Advertisements will be considered and may be subject to a reasonable publishing fee.  News and questions should be e-mailed to the Academy’s administrative offices at enews@....  Please enter “E-news” in the subject field.

Trauma Response^® E-News is published by
The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress^®
and edited by Mark D. Lerner, Ph.D.  

© 2004 The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, Inc.
http://www.crisisinfo.org/AAETS

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