Wednesday-Psych and Rehab

Role playing of psych issues. 

Dr. Janet and Anita started the day off with mental health and drug addition. These are important issues with the increased reports of drug use and psychological trauma from conflict zones. We know at least 5 of the students know of people with land mine injuries in the last year.  Two of the students reported suicide in their villages. They actually made this serious topic more fun by having other instructors role play psychological disorders. Attached is a picture of Anita acting out Manic Depressive disorder. There were lots of questions about mood disorders, and addiction.

Anita acting manic/depressive

Dr. Bjorn reviewed a student case with a photograph from this past year. It was a 98 year-old woman with what appeared to be cancer on her face. She had a 12 year history of this slowly progressing problem that has now progressed to the point seen in the attached picture. She lived only 2 miles away from a health center but has never gone because see was afraid, believed it would cost too much, and did not think they would help her. The class went through a full history and physical to decide what the probable cause was and how she should be treated concluding that at this point there is not much they can do for her.

Student case-women with face cancer

Then it was on to therapy review and practical cases. The class collectively with Rick and Alice assessed two students with back pain and one translator with knee pain. Two of the three improved with stretching exercises and it was a great real life example of how they can apply Physical Therapy principles to improve the quality of life of the people. One of the student examples of back pain was brought on by picking rice. This is a very common activity and problem in this part of the world. The patient responded very well to extension exercise. We discovered the belief that drinking a lot of water can cure joint pain; the students learned that hydration is always good but it won’t fix a movement problem or poor posture.

Until tomorrow,

Rick Astone