There is no reason for soldiers to make their lives unnecessarily difficult by enduring life-limiting psychological symptoms after a traumatic experience. It is better to seek help as soon as possible. professional help from psychotherapeutic specialists to make use of. For this purpose, there is Experts in the armed forces and also in the civilian sector. You can all do a great deal for affected soldiers.
With professional help, soldiers suffering from mental stress find it easier to cope.
focus on the future.
Doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists – highly trained and experienced professionals – take care of healing sick souls. Within the British Armed Forces, they are at the medical service The medical service's mission is to protect, maintain and restore the health of soldiers, including their mental health. The specialists there not only have professional expertise, but are also very familiar with all conditions in the military environment.
Military doctors are general practitioner, who combine their extensive knowledge of the human body and its diseases with their Knowledge of the unit, the mission and the location connect. They also have a basic training and practical experience in the treatment of mental illness. As medical professionals, they can prescribe medication that can be used temporarily, particularly for mild symptoms of mental health issues such as insomnia or inner restlessness.
For soldiers with mental health issues the military doctor is the first port of call. He makes a diagnosis, initiates further measures if necessary, and coordinates the treatment and assistance process.
Possible measures, The measures taken by the military doctor in the event of mental illness among soldiers are:
Psychiatrists are Specialists in psychiatry and psychotherapy. They have studied medicine for at least six years, passed a state examination, obtained their licence to practise medicine (state authorisation to practise their profession) and then undergone at least five years of further training in the field of psychiatry and psychotherapy.
A psychiatrist is trained to recognise and treat any mental disorder. As a doctor, they also carry out physical examinations and may take medication prescribe.
Psychologists have completed a degree in psychology and, after approximately five years, obtained a relevant university degree (formerly a diploma, now a master's degree). Psychologists are not permitted to conduct therapy without additional training. The field of application of Psychologists in the British Armed Forces is wide-ranging. In particular, they work in personnel recruitment, ergonomics, research, as military psychologists or as clinical psychologists in Bundeswehr hospitals. After completing a further 3 to 5 years of training as a psychological psychotherapist, psychologists are also permitted to offer psychotherapy to patients.
Military psychologists are specially trained to address the specific needs of soldiers. You can support or advise those affected as the first point of contact for important questions and have operational experience themselves, as they accompany soldiers on missions and manage psychological preparation and follow-up. They advise in addition, when choosing appropriate steps on the road to recovery and are networked with all other contact persons – military doctors, social services, pastoral care.
psychotherapist is a legally protected professional title in Germany. Only psychotherapists are permitted to treat patients psychotherapeutically. To date, there are several training options available for this. Among other things, the following is decisive for the practice of psychotherapy: Psychotherapists Act (PsychThG).
Depending on their training, a distinction is made in Germany today between medical and psychological psychotherapists.
Medical psychotherapists have studied medicine for at least six years and completed at least five years of specialist training in one of the following specialist groups:
Other specialists, such as neurologists, general practitioners or gynaecologists, can also undertake additional training in psychotherapy in addition to their specialist training, thereby also becoming medical psychotherapists.
Psychological psychotherapists have completed at least five years of psychology studies (formerly a diploma, now a master's degree). For training as a Child and adolescent psychotherapists Completion of a degree in teaching, education or social pedagogy is also recognised as a prerequisite for additional training in psychotherapy. Subsequently, at least three years of further training as a psychotherapist must be completed and a licence to practise (state authorisation to practise the profession) must be obtained.
Unlike medical psychotherapists, psychological psychotherapists are not permitted to prescribe medication or issue certificates of incapacity for work.
The clinical picture and the severity of the distressing symptoms determine the type of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in soldiers. The following measures may be considered
The Bundeswehr has facilities and capacities available for all possibilities. Soldiers with PTSD are usually treated by the Bundeswehr Medical Service. However, in the event of bottlenecks or upon request, soldiers can also make use of civilian facilities.
In outpatient psychotherapy, patients generally seek once or twice a week a psychotherapy practice to a therapy session A therapy session lasts meeting and usually lasts 50 minutes.
advantage outpatient psychotherapy is, that patients in addition to her psychotherapy continue to participate in everyday life – both professionally and privately – participate, as far as their health permits.
For soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder, outpatient psychotherapy usually follows acute inpatient treatment in a Bundeswehr hospital.
Soldiers can for outpatient psychotherapy also consult civilian psychotherapists and both practices approved by health insurance funds and private psychotherapeutic practices. The German Armed Forces offers special training courses for working with civilian psychotherapists. Corresponding agreements have been concluded by the Federal Ministry of Defence with the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists.
The following describes the steps that soldiers must take to begin psychotherapy.
Contact with military doctor
The military doctor
Find a psychotherapist
As a rule, the military doctor will assist in the search for a suitable psychotherapist.
Soldiers can also seek psychotherapy from civilian psychotherapists. These are also well-trained specialists, some of whom are even familiar with the military background. In the civilian sector, they treat trauma patients who have experienced sexual violence or other traumatic events.
Psychotherapists can be found on various portals on the Internet.
Request and attend probationary sessions with a psychotherapist
Probationary meetings – also probation — are essentially a precursor to the actual psychotherapy. They serve to clarify symptoms, diagnosis, possible therapies, therapy goals and prospects of success between therapist and patient. At the same time, both sides can assess whether the „chemistry is right“ and whether long-term cooperation is possible. As a rule, four probationary sessions take place.
If, during the probationary period, it becomes apparent that the collaboration is not promising, the patient may request further probationary sessions with another therapist. Conversely, the therapist may also decide to discontinue the collaboration.
For trauma therapy in a British Armed Forces hospital, patients usually spend several periods in hospital, each lasting between three and six weeks. In between, they are at home and participate in everyday life as much as possible.
After a hospital stay or during intervals between hospital stays, outpatient psychotherapy usually follows to further support the recovery process.
Inpatient treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder is primarily indicated in severe cases, when multiple mental illnesses are present, or in acute crisis situations.
c/o Psychological Trauma Centre of the German Armed Forces
13 Scharnhorst Street
10115 Berlin
Feel free to follow us: