Summary of Abstract
Memory problems and comprehension difficulties reduce the impact of treatment for serving military members and veterans with PTSD. Friends, family members and community are confused by the unfamiliar behaviour of those they love who return from duty injured. These graphic novels are designed to increase awareness and understanding of PTSD.
From Villains to Superheroes: The use of Graphic Novels in Promoting Resiliency and Supporting Recovery from Military Traumatic Exposure
All Authors:
Dr. B.Seagram, Ph.D.
M.Crawford
Brief Description:
Memory Dysfunction is both a pre-existing risk factor for the development of PTSD as well as a consequence of the condition (Samuelson, 2011). Individuals diagnosed with PTSD are thought to have developed memories that come back as emotional and sensory states with little verbal representation (van der Kolk, 1996). Fear and exposure avoidance also serve to impact access to and recall of traumatic memories. Thus, development of an understanding of events, sequencing, meaning and interpretation are all important steps in the recovery process (Zoelliner & Bittenger, 2004).
Memory problems reduce the resources available to individuals diagnosed with PTSD, both in terms of coping with life's demands as well as their ability to respond to psychological treatment. Verbal memory impairment predicts poorer outcome in patients receiving CBT (Wild & Gur, 2008). Consequently, therapeutic resources and support materials should take into account neuropsychological deficits related to PTSD (Samuelson, 2011).
Despite individual learning style differences, traditional psychotherapy tends to be talk-based. Education research demonstrates that visual learners remember best what they see: diagrams, flow charts or other visual representations of material; whereas verbal learners benefit more from written or spoken explanations (Felder & Solomon, 2007). Graphic novels are increasingly being integrated into educational curriculum. They reinforce left-to-right sequencing, and for weak language learners or those struggling with memory or comprehension issues, concise text paired with detailed images helps readers to decode and interpret text (Alverson, 2014). The pairing of words and images gives learning a boost by creating new memory pathways and associations (Jaffe, as cited by Alverson, 2014). For visual learners, graphic novels provide an alternative and complimentary method of information delivery, removing barriers that might otherwise be present in accessing and consolidating information.
Clinical Outcomes:
Embedded within a story, the first installment of the graphic novel will convey the following information:
Serving military members, veterans, family members and community.
Conclusion
This presentation describes the development and content of graphic novels designed to boost resiliency and increase access to PTSD treatment resources. Aesthetically pleasing, high quality graphics and an engaging story-line are designed to mitigate avoidance tendencies, providing an effective alternative to traditional therapeutic modes of communication.
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Memory problems and comprehension difficulties reduce the impact of treatment for serving military members and veterans with PTSD. Friends, family members and community are confused by the unfamiliar behaviour of those they love who return from duty injured. These graphic novels are designed to increase awareness and understanding of PTSD.
From Villains to Superheroes: The use of Graphic Novels in Promoting Resiliency and Supporting Recovery from Military Traumatic Exposure
All Authors:
Dr. B.Seagram, Ph.D.
M.Crawford
Brief Description:
Memory Dysfunction is both a pre-existing risk factor for the development of PTSD as well as a consequence of the condition (Samuelson, 2011). Individuals diagnosed with PTSD are thought to have developed memories that come back as emotional and sensory states with little verbal representation (van der Kolk, 1996). Fear and exposure avoidance also serve to impact access to and recall of traumatic memories. Thus, development of an understanding of events, sequencing, meaning and interpretation are all important steps in the recovery process (Zoelliner & Bittenger, 2004).
Memory problems reduce the resources available to individuals diagnosed with PTSD, both in terms of coping with life's demands as well as their ability to respond to psychological treatment. Verbal memory impairment predicts poorer outcome in patients receiving CBT (Wild & Gur, 2008). Consequently, therapeutic resources and support materials should take into account neuropsychological deficits related to PTSD (Samuelson, 2011).
Despite individual learning style differences, traditional psychotherapy tends to be talk-based. Education research demonstrates that visual learners remember best what they see: diagrams, flow charts or other visual representations of material; whereas verbal learners benefit more from written or spoken explanations (Felder & Solomon, 2007). Graphic novels are increasingly being integrated into educational curriculum. They reinforce left-to-right sequencing, and for weak language learners or those struggling with memory or comprehension issues, concise text paired with detailed images helps readers to decode and interpret text (Alverson, 2014). The pairing of words and images gives learning a boost by creating new memory pathways and associations (Jaffe, as cited by Alverson, 2014). For visual learners, graphic novels provide an alternative and complimentary method of information delivery, removing barriers that might otherwise be present in accessing and consolidating information.
Clinical Outcomes:
Embedded within a story, the first installment of the graphic novel will convey the following information:
- Recognizing the signs of PTSD
- Reducing isolation
- Providing hope that recovery is possible
- Laying the groundwork for recovery
- Understanding that avoidance prolongs injury
- Management of window of tolerance and CNS activation
- Understanding the causes of PTSD
Serving military members, veterans, family members and community.
Conclusion
This presentation describes the development and content of graphic novels designed to boost resiliency and increase access to PTSD treatment resources. Aesthetically pleasing, high quality graphics and an engaging story-line are designed to mitigate avoidance tendencies, providing an effective alternative to traditional therapeutic modes of communication.
Read the full article with references...
Back To Engage...