Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (2) - L'Infirmière Magazine n° 325 du 15/06/2013 | Espace Infirmier
 

L'infirmière Magazine n° 325 du 15/06/2013

 

FORMATION ANGLAIS

Women are more likely than men to experience PTSD and certain populations are more at risk : young adults ; people with a history of other psychiatric illnesses ; and those who are single, divorced, or widowed. Sexual assault is the most common cause of PTSD in women, whereas PTSD is most often combat-related in men.

Within the veteran population, findings(1) show that nearly 17 % of those returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom tested positive for PTSD, anxiety or depression twelve months after returning to the U.S. These soldiers exhibit a higher burden of risk of other illnesses such as lumbosacral spine disorders, lower extremity joint disorders, headache, tendonitis and myalgia.

All nurses need to be familiar with the symptoms of PTSD and aware of the screening tools.(2) They must assess for suicidal ideation and refer the patient to another professional if treatment falls outside their scope of practice.

Nurses need to give reassurance and let patients know that what they are experiencing is a normal reaction to a traumatic experience, and that there are a number of treatment options, including a variety of cognitive-behavior therapies, and the judicious use of select psychiatric medications. Complementary and alternative therapies are being considered by the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department.

Article basé sur PTSD Among Our Returning Veterans, Auteur : Sabella, Donna MEd, MSN, PhD, RN AJN, American Journal of Nursing : November 2012 - Volume 112 - Issue 11 - p 48–52 doi: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000422255.95706.40

1– Hoge CW, et al. Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care N Engl J Med. 2004;351(1):13–22

2– Screening tools include 4 questions. See Infirmière magazine / site web. In your life, have you ever had any experience that was so frightening, horrible, or upsetting that, in the past month, you :

a. Have had nightmares about it or thought about it when you did not want to ?

b. Tried hard not to think about it or went out of your way to avoid situations that reminded you of it ?

c. Were constantly on guard, watchful, or easily startled ?

d. Felt numb or detached from others, activities, or your surroundings »

MOTS ET EXPRESSIONS

(to be ) widowed (v+adj) (être) veuf/veuve

Within (prep.) à l’intérieur de (ici, d’un groupe)

Veteran (n/adj) ancien combattant

Findings (n.pl) resultats ; conclusions (d’une recherche)

Screening (n) dépistage

Scope of practice (n) champ de pratique, d’expertise

QUESTIONS

1. What role can nurses play in treating PTSD ?

Diagnosis ; listening and reassuring ; explaining treatment options ; referring to another professional if necessary ; assess for suicidal tendencies.

2. Why are male soldiers at high risk of PTSD ?

Because combat-related trauma is the biggest cause of male PTSD.

3. Which other illnesses might a PTSD patient present with ?

General non-specific muscle pain (myalgia); leg aches ; headaches ; lower back problems ; tendonitis.

Articles de la même rubrique d'un même numéro