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Kevlar for the mind: Don’t ignore ‘red flag’ symptoms

It’s human nature to be con¬cerned about our health when a new physical or psychological symptom surfaces. But it’s impor¬tant to remember that psychiatric disorders are a collection of symp¬toms and are diagnosed only when those symptoms significantly in¬terfere with our normal lives. Re¬member to watch out for the “red flags” and ask for help when you can’t manage things on your own.

Q I’ve been onboard my ship for several months and lately find myself waking up two or three times a night, and it’s difficult to fall back to sleep. During my many years of service in the Navy, I’ve never had problems sleeping after deployments or mobilizations. I have been taking Tylenol PM, but when I wake up, I’m exhausted. Could this mean that I’m depressed?

Depression is a collection of symptoms. The two most specific are feelings of depression or sad¬ness most days of the week and loss of pleasure or interest in all or most daily activities. Other symptoms include changes in weight or appetite, fatigue, feel¬ings of worthlessness, decreased concentration and, in more serious cases, suicidal thoughts.

Sleep difficulties, particularly waking up throughout the night, can be related to issues such as an uncomfortable bed, a room that is too hot or cold, a noisy bunkmate, or even changes in the amount of sunlight during the day.

Increased peri¬ods of emotional and physical stress also can dis¬rupt sleep. For example, arguing with a spouse or running five miles on the treadmill right be¬fore bed are surefire ways to pre¬vent restful sleep.

Over-the-counter medications are intended for short-term use; chronic use can lead to even more sleep difficulties. It’s always best to talk with your assigned health care provider about effective treatments for sleep and if you think you may be suffering from depression.

Q I recently returned from a 12-month deployment to Iraq and have had bad dreams at least once a week. Does this mean I have PTSD? I did have a few close calls outside the wire in Iraq.

Disturbing dreams, which are fairly common, are only one possi¬ble sign of PTSD. The best way to determine whether you have PTSD is to seek the help of a mental health professional.

Bret A. Moore, Psy.D., is a board-certified clinical psychologist who served two tours in Iraq. E-mail him at kevlarforthemind@militarytimes.com. This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to convey specific psychological or medical guidance. Readers should see a mental health professional or physician for mental health problems.