Resource outlining DSV IV depression criterion.
http://www.mental-health-today.com/dep/dsm.htm
Recognizing EMT’s, firefighters or Police Officers with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is diagnosed by symptoms. As you read through this page, keep in mind that it takes a professional who knows PTSD to diagnose this disorder from other disorders. One supervisor recently asked me how anyone can separate those with PTSD from the variety of other mental disorders, or those faking it. My answer to this question: the same way you recognize a Volkswagen. There is no substitute for a trained experienced psychologist/psychiatrist that works specifically with PTSD, and especially one that knows the social environment in law enforcement. Part of the problem with this disorder is that there are far too few that have a lot of first hand experience with PTSD and cops.
Job stress takes a heavy toll on officers
Few jobs are as stressful as police work, and the toll it can take is reflected in higher-than-average rates of suicide, substance abuse, divorce and stress-related health problems among law enforcement professionals.
The Columbia University TeenScreen Program is a national mental health and suicide risk screening program for youth. The goal of the National TeenScreen Program is to make voluntary mental health check-ups available for all American teens. TeenScreen works by assisting communities throughout the nation with developing locally operated and sustained screening programs for youth. Screening can take place in schools, doctors’ offices, clinics, youth groups, shelters, and other youth-serving organizations and settings.
Suicide (taking one’s own life) is a serious public health problem that devastates individuals, families, and communities. It is the 11th leading cause of death among Americans (Anderson and Smith 2003). Completed suicides are only part of the problem. More people are hospitalized or treated and released as a result of suicide attempts than are fatally injured. While suicide is often viewed as a response to a single stressful event, it is a far more complicated issue. Suicide results from complex interactions between biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors.
Online Depression Screening Test
ODST is a preliminary screening test for depressive symptoms that does not replace in any way a formal psychiatric evaluation. It is designed to give a preliminary idea about the presence of mild to moderate depressive symptoms that indicate the need for an evaluation by a psychiatrist.
Officer Pat Sleffel almost died on duty fighting crime on October 14, 2001 in Rome, Georgia and was denied Worker’s Compensation by his employer, Floyd County Police Department.
Petition:
Justice for Officer Pat Sleffel. Show your support for Officer Sleffel’s struggle in fighting this injustice by signing this petition and letting Floyd Country Police Department know that they cannot treat our brothers in blue this way.
PTSD Clinical Trials Research Announcement
Redapple Research Protocol
I am conducting clinical research with military veterans, police officers, fire fighters and first responders with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I am actively seeking 60 research participants and their therapists.
The research protocol method is called Senticon Therapy, a new mental imagery treatment. It appears to allow the patient to relieve stressful signs and symptoms of PTSD without the need for medication. It will be explained in greater detail in the section entitled Senticon Therapy later in this PTSD clinical trials research call for participation.
The study will take place over 12 months, in which the subject will be evaluated with the gold standard for PTSD assessment, the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). The subject will then receive the Senticon Therapy research treatment protocol. Two weeks after Senticon Therapy is used, a post-test is done by the research subject’s therapist using the CAPS to gauge level of PTSD severity. The scores will be compared using the SPSS statistical package to look for correlations between the two test sessions. The research participant will then be evaluated by their therapist using CAPS scoring at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months to evaluate for long term clinical PTSD status.
The PTSD clinical trials study will gather statistical data on the clinical observation that Senticon Therapy can significantly reduce if not put into remission the natural course of PTSD in sufferers.
Patient Information
Inclusion Criteria
- Police Officers or Veterans
- Between the ages of 18 and 65
- In good physical health
- Active or Inactive Duty
- Willing and able to provide informed consent
- Diagnosis of PTSD from combat or civilian trauma by a licensed mental health professional
- Exhibit clinically significant trauma-related symptoms
Exclusion Criteria
- Inability to comply with study procedures or assessments
- Head trauma to include, loss of consciousness or amnesia greater then 24 hours
- High risk for homicide or suicide
- Patients that are doing well on medication; on or seeking disability benefits from the VA or privately
- Suffering from other Axis I Disorders
Information For Professionals
Mental health professionals are encouraged to collaborate in PTSD research at this challenging time in America. Let us work together so it may lead to significant breakthroughs in the war on PTSD.
Since there will be no therapeutic relationship between the subject and researcher, it is imperative that we locate such eager and willing mental health professionals, who are in the best position to evaluate the severity of PTSD for those in treatment.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information.
I welcome your inquiries and look forward to your participation.
Senticon Therapy
Senticon-from the Latin sentire (to discern or perceive by the senses and mind, to feel, to think) and the Latin and Greek icon (an image or representation). This new term for mental imagery has the advantage of not limiting this internal representation to visual perception or what one can imagine as a picture in the mind.
Sensory input appears to be encoded into mental imagery if it involves a significant emotional experience which will be stored in memory.
When a person experiences a new life event with a similar emotional perception, the mental image may be decoded, providing a replay of the original life event and original emotions experienced.
What Senticon Therapy appears to do is process the emotional trauma of PTSD.
Initial results show significant clinical improvement using this treatment, from CAPS rated severe PTSD to mild or moderate severity pre and post research intervention, respectively.
60 research participants are needed to complete the study.
Contact Information
Robert M. Roerich, M.D.
Psychiatrist
Research Website: www.senticon.us
Email: roerich @ senticon.us
820 N. 4th Street, Suite 2
Steubenville, OH 43952
Office phone: 740-283-4520 (Answered by Epicenter)
St. Theresa’s Prayer
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.
Peace Pilgrim’s Beatitudes by Mildred Norman
Blessed are they who give without expecting even thanks in return, for they shall be abundantly rewarded.
Blessed are they who translate every good thing they know into action, for ever higher truths shall be revealed unto them.
Blessed are they who do God’s will without asking to see results, for great shall be their recompense.
Blessed are they who love and trust their fellow beings, for they shall reach the good in people and receive a loving response.
Blessed are they who have seen reality, for they know that not the garment of clay but that which activates the garment of clay is real and indestructible.
Blessed are they who see the change we call death as a liberation from the limitation of this earth-life, for they shall rejoice with their loved ones who make the glorious transition.
Blessed are they who after dedicating their lives and thereby receiving a blessing, have the courage and faith to surmount the difficulties of the path ahead, for they shall receive a second blessing.
Blessed are they who advance toward the spiritual path without the selfish motive of seeking inner peace, for they shall find it.
Blessed are they who instead of trying to batter down the gates of the kingdom of heaven approach them humbly and lovingly and purified, for they shall pass right through.
