Chapter 1 The Journey Begins

Overall theme: Where the Idea the for book began

Dr. Marissa McCarthy recounts her early training and career that launched her into a world of war related trauma, brain injury, and serving as a physician in a rehabilitation center.  This chapter revolves around her drive to help those who had been injured post 9/11.  She meets Dr. Damon Friedman who served 20 years in the military and shares his stories, his struggles, and his road to recovery.  Together they embark on a journey to address the different aspects of healing and being resilient.

Chapter 2 Mild TBI (MTBI)

Overall theme: Introduction to MTBI: Causes, Symptoms, Effects, and Treatment

Mild TBI (MTBI) has been coined the signature injury of the War on Terror that began in 2001.  This is the longest war our nation has fought.  MTBI is often used synonymously with another familiar term, concussion. In this chapter we are going to discover what military, law enforcement officials, fire fighters, and first responders can incur during training or in action that can lead to a MTBI. Repetitive sub-concussive blast exposure leading to MTBI is also going to be addressed. Amateur athletes to professional weekend warriors are also known to sustain MTBI on the field and during practice.  In addition, the general public is at risk for MTBI due to falls, motor vehicle accidents, and/or violence.  

Chapter 3 PTSD

Overall theme: Introduction to PTSD: Definition, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

PTSD is defined by the veteran affairs as “a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.”  Any person can develop PTSD at any time and at any age from a young abused child to a seasoned first responder in a crisis situation.  Certain factors like the type of trauma, age, gender, social support, and stress play a role as to whether or not a person develops PTSD.  PTSD symptoms can start right after the event, months, or even years later. There are general symptoms that will be reviewed in this chapter; however, individuals exhibit them in their own way.  

Chapter 4 Moral Injury       

Overall theme: Introduction to Moral Injury: Concept, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

This section will focus on moral injury, its causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.  Moral injury is experienced by military personnel, law enforcement, first responders, and many other high threat occupations. Healing from a moral injury is best dealt with through a holistic health care model.  Understanding how to reintegrate a person after a moral injury leads to personal growth and protection against anxiety and depression.  Focusing on skills and practices to prevent moral injury and providing a path of recovery is essential for becoming resilient. 

Chapter 5 Stress

Overall theme: Introduction to Stress: Definition, Effects on the body, Effects on the Brain, and Management

In this chapter we will focus on stress, what it is, how it effects the body and the brain, and how to manage it.  Life may feel like it is exploding, imploding, or just toppling over.  The effort to get through life’s stressors can take an enormous toll on our mind, body, and spirit.  It is also hard to avoid people in life that are heavily affected by stress.  From traffic, cost of living, emails, texting, cell phones, family, and workload we are affected every day. 

Chapter 6 Sleep

Overall theme: Introduction to Sleep: Cycle, Hygiene, Inadequacies, and Treatment

Sleep is one of the most important activities any human being can do.  The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults sleep seven to nine hours a night. Many individuals experience sleep disturbances.  We will learn about common sleep issues including short term insomnia, chronic insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). One of the biggest misconceptions is that when one goes to sleep the brain shuts down and goes to sleep too. In fact, the brain is much more active during sleep and goes through different patterns of activity.

Chapter 7 Pain

Overall Theme: Introduction to Pain: Acute, Chronic, Headaches, and Management

Most people will experience pain at some point in their life. Pain is the body’s way of communicating that something is wrong. Once the injury heals the pain subsides. Unfortunately, some people develop chronic pain, pain that lasts more than 3 months. This pain then affects day to day life and mental health. Pain and headaches are a leading cause of employees missing work. Pain, especially when it becomes chronic (lasting more than 3 months) can be a huge challenge to manage. Many people who suffer from chronic pain usually only receive about 25% relief with medications or procedures. Luckily there are other approaches to help treat chronic pain when active rehabilitation, education, and pain psychology is implemented.  

Chapter 8 Fuel

Overall Theme: Introduction to Fuel: Food for the Body, Supplements, Fuel for the Brain, and Alcohol

This chapter will focus on brain health optimization and oral intake as fuel, or what you put into your body.  Intake includes food, alcohol, and supplements. What is good, what is bad, what is needed, and what is not necessary.  The goal is for the reader to gain knowledge and resources to make good food choices and avoid nutrient void items.  Another focus will be on what the body is missing and how supplements can replace what is needed.  The chapter will assist the reader with understanding which supplements and diets are recommended for brain health optimization. Knowing that too much alcohol is not “good” for the body, this section will focus on the specifics of how alcohol affects the injured brain. 

Chapter 9 Exercise

Overall theme: Introduction to Exercise: Brain Health, Chronic Pain, Sleep, and Stress Management

This section will focus on output, in other words, exercise as a mechanism to promote brain health, ease chronic pain symptoms, aid with sleep, and manage stress.  Giving up exercise can lead to weight gain, heart and vascular issues, or simply missing out on activities that require physical movements. Exercise increases the body’s relaxation response that helps to regulate heart rate and blood pressure. 

Chapter 10 A Call to Action

Overall theme: Putting words and resources into action

Together we hope that you will utilize the resources we’ve discussed in this book to have your brain evaluated, treated, and start on the path to heal.  We want you to live and stop avoiding certain situations. Lean on your faith for hope and embrace community to help deal with the loss of trust, especially with leadership. By all means sleep, dream, heal. Ease your pain. Fuel your body with earth’s plenty. Pray, meditate, breath, and exercise; figure out your way to deal with stress. Get to know yourself and what needs to be strengthened or enhanced. We promise you will be more resilient than ever.