The Daily Grind

Thought I would share a little more about my job duties here in Baghdad. I am part of a Combat Stress Control (CSC) Unit with the mission of being a "Force Multiplier." (The main idea is to well people up to get them back to the fight). We have both Prevention teams and a Restoration team. I am part of the Restoration team that stays on the compound and sees the soldiers as they walk-in to the clinic. I also care for them in a hospital like setting that is located right in our main building. The goal is to help the soldiers get stabilized and send them back to their respective units mission capable. So far I have seen several soldiers with depression and symptoms of Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many of the soldier's issues involve problems with their families back in the states. When they are admitted to our inpatient unit, or restoration program, their weapons and ammo are secured and they are adopted as a member of our unit. They get up and go to the gym at 0630 and then have classes throughout the day covering many topics including combat fatigue, anger management, homefront issues, relationships, self esteem and relaxation. They eat meals with the unit and help with work details around the compound. I do prescribe medications for the soldiers if needed. A variety of medications are available in the combat zone. Many soldiers end up taking an antidepressant and a sleeping aid. A small amount of soldiers are even prescribed a benzodiazepine like Xanax for severe anxiety and panic attacks. Most soldiers stay in the program from 3 days to a week before being transported back to their units with recommendations for followup. It is up to the soldier's command to decide whether to follow the recommendations. If the soldier doesn't improve and seems incapable of returning to his or her unit, then he/she is sent to Landstuhl Hospital in Germany for further treatment.

The other part of the unit is the prevention section. Each team includes 2-3 people traveling to all the Foward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the green zone, spreading the word about our unit and teaching classes as requested. The other psychiatrist with the unit has been traveling with the prevention team consulting with primary care doctors in the FOB medical clinics about various psychiatric issues.

One of our Psychologists has been assigned to set up a CSC unit in a newly established FOB. Apparently there are no buildings, plumbing or internet connections. She must live in a tent, eat MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), use outdoor latrines and take field showers. This is the situation in which most of us thought we would be working. Thankfully most of the soldiers in Iraq have decent living conditions with hardened shelters or trailers and some form of running water. Many places do not have regular internet or phones, but this probably would be considered a luxury. (But these luxuries definately help to maintain soldier morale!)

It has been fascinating for me to hear about others past military adventures, and I am sure I will also look back on my time in Iraq as a great learning experience.