Aftershocks of War

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Aftershocks of War
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The Story of Dan

• Army Reserve Sergeant, Fought in Iraq and Kosovo
• Upon return found his marketing and sales jobs
  were gone.
• Had trouble letting his guard down and keeping a
  job.

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Psychological consequences of exposure to or
  confrontation with stressful experiences.
• Common in soldiers after combat. Almost 30
  prevelence, and 50-70 in long term exposure.
• Usually lasts only a short time, but it can be
  permanent or be triggered by a specific event.

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Symptoms of PTSD

• Intrusion- Since the person cannot process the
  difficult emotions in a normal way she is plagued
  by recurrent nightmares, or daytime flashbacks,
  while she realistically reexperiences the trauma.
  
• Hyperarousal- PTSD is also characterized by a
  state of nervousness with the organism being
  prepared for fight or flight. Jumpiness
• Avoidance- The hyperarousal and the intrusive
  symptoms are eventually so distressing that the
  individual strives to avoid contact with
  everything, and everyone, even her own thoughts.

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What a Manger Should Do for a Returning Veteran?

• The Two Keys to Help Your Returning Employees
  Cope are Common Sense and Compassion
• Remember, everyone is different, set the tempo
  for the individual.
• Let them be the boss to how the workplace
  responds to them.
• Keep a close eye to ensure they adjust correctly.

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What to Look For When They Return

• Personality changes Tardiness or absenteeism
• Trouble finishing work on time
• Conflicts with co-workers
• Increase in accidents or close calls
• Drop in motivation or performance
• Evidence of drug or alcohol abuse

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If you notice warning signs

• Early discovery is the key.
• Act quickly! Costs of employee reintegration and
  assistance services might be more offset by
  future health care savings. Its cheaper to treat
  it than to risk it.
• Specialized Counseling provided by the Department
  of Veterans Affairs

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The Future of PTSD

• Linear Battlefields vs. Asymmetrical Threats
• PTSD will probably become less of a problem due
  to mechanization of warfare.
• Females in combat
• Drug Treatments
• Eye Movement Desensitation and Reprocessing
• Traumatic Incident Reduction

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Case Studies in PTSD Returns

• GEs Reintegration Plan
• The Link Agencys prepared a scrapbook of staff
  photos, copies of recent work, and alerted
  clients to send welcome back cards if they wish
  to.
• PGE would hold a large assembly at their
  headquarters where the employees who served in
  the war were honored

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Recommendations

• Training upon their return.
• Create standard information packets to give to
  employees on their return.
• Start them off with something they are good at,
  let them know early on they can succeed at work.
• Personalization

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Review and Questions