Concurrent and Co-Located Early Intervention for Concussion and Acute Stress Reaction

Abstract

CME Educational Objectives 1. Understand the definition of mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) and identify symptoms of this condition. 2. Review the definition of acute stress reaction and understand how it is similar to and different from post-traumatic stress disorder. 3. Discuss the principles of combat and operational stress control and psychological first aid as they relate to the early intervention for concussion and acute stress reaction. Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs), or concussions, along with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), have become the “signature” wounds of recent and ongoing combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Media coverage of the dangers of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and PTSD in the military has increased public awareness of both concussions and stress responses. Blast-related injuries, including IEDs, accounted for 72% to 79% of reported concussions in a study of more than 2,500 US Army soldiers. 1 Additionally, stress associated with deployments, including exposure to life-threatening situations, the psychological cost of killing, family separation, and environmental stress associated with living and working in an austere environment, has led to increased prevalence and awareness of stress-related conditions ranging from acute stress reaction (ASR) to PTSD. 2,3