Breathing and Blinking: An Intersection of PTSD and TBI

NASW Wisconsin

Noon - 1 PM CST

Presented by Nancy Mullen, MSW   1 CEH

This presentation explores the challenge of differential diagnosis and support for clients living with co-existing post-traumatic stress disorder and post-concussion syndrome. Although addressing concussive issues is gathering increasing attention, concussions remain both undiagnosed and underdiagnosed, despite how common they are, across all political, religious and cultural groups. The presentation addresses the need for social workers to spearhead including assessment for mTBI routinely, especially within the domestic violence field, in elder care, and with young people active in sports. The under-diagnosis or missed diagnosis of concussion complicates treatment of mental health issues, which can be misunderstood as client resistance or disinterest. Undiagnosed post- concussive issues can hinder a client's progress in moving forward with recovery or even contribute to recidivism rates. In more serious cases, post-concussive issues may impede on activities of daily living for months and sometimes years. Breathing and Blinking draws upon research from the leading trauma experts, Bruce D. Perry, Bessel van der Kolk, and Nadine Burke Harris and includes occasional references to the presenter’s lived experience in concussion and concussion care. Social workers who are aware of the complications and can identify the co-existing symptoms will be more effective in getting their clients to appropriate care. As a profession, social workers are uniquely positioned to begin looking for the longer term effects of concussion, in school settings, residential settings, and clinical settings with clients who are also trauma survivors in order to advocate for care beyond the traditional passive treatment recommendations.

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