Description
Presenter
Tim Murphy, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and national expert in trauma recovery, author of The Christ Cure, and founder of Fortis-Future, a PTSD treatment center for veterans and first responders. A former U.S. Congressman and Pennsylvania State Senator, he authored major mental health reform legislation, including the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. He also served as a Navy Reserve Commander, working with TBI/PTSD units and special warfare teams. Dr. Murphy frequently consults on mental health policy and speaks nationwide.
Summary
The incidence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among military veterans ranges from 7% to 29%. Direct participation in combat, pre-deployment resilience, operational stressors, and post-deployment support all affect the appearance and severity of symptoms. Some veterans display symptoms soon after trauma, while others may appear symptom-free for years or even decades. Compared with civilians, veterans are more likely to drop out of treatment before symptoms improve, and many avoid treatment altogether. Even those who function adequately for years may experience a later return of symptoms. Images of recent wars, including Ukraine, Israel/Gaza, and Iran, as well as terrorism, terror attacks, and other violence, can amplify distress and trigger symptoms in veterans who previously felt they had their symptoms under control or who had shown no symptoms for many years. Aging, illness, retirement, changes in social support, and trauma anniversaries may further increase vulnerability. This presentation will examine delayed-onset PTSD and relapse in veterans, with attention to the role of graphic media exposure in reactivating trauma-related symptoms. Psychotherapeutic interventions for psychologists and licensed mental health professionals will include reassurance that the emergence or re-emergence of symptoms is common and not a sign of failure, support for distress related to life changes, and the application of evidence-based treatments associated with trauma exposure, including prolonged exposure therapy, cognitive processing therapy, and EMDR. Clinical attention will also be given to sleep disturbance, anxiety, fear, untreated or unresolved moral injury, and the role of religiosity, spirituality, and sense of purpose in recovery and treatment outcomes.
Learning Objectives
Participants will…
- Identify factors associated with delayed-onset PTSD symptoms and relapse in military veterans.
- Describe how exposure to images of recent wars, terrorism, and violence may contribute to the re-emergence of trauma-related symptoms in veterans.
- Discuss treatment considerations for veterans experiencing delayed-onset PTSD symptoms or relapse, including trauma-focused interventions, moral injury, and the role of spirituality and meaning.
References
PTSD relapse in Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan: A systematic review Mil Psychol 2020 Jun 4;32(4):300–312. doi: 10.1080/08995605.2020.1754123 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10013559/
It matters what you see: Graphic media images of war and terror may amplify distress Holman EA, Garfin DR, Silver Proc Natl Acad Sci 2024 Jul 5;121(29):e2318465121 doi: 10.1073/pnas.2318465121
Fry KM, Bennett DC, Roberge EM et al (2024 The effects of Religiosity, Spirituality, and sense of purpose on posttraumatic stress disorder treatment outcomes among Veterans. J Psychiatr Res Aug:176:276-281 doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.05.054. Epub 2024 Jun 2.
Marmar CR, Schlenger W, Henn-Haase C, et al (2015) Course of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 40 Years After the Vietnam War Findings From the National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study, JAMA Psychiatry Published Online: September 2015 2015;72;(9):875-881. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.0803
Continuing Education
Live: Approved for 1 NBCC, ASWB, APA and IBCC Credit*
On Demand: Approved for 1 NBCC and IBCC Credit*
