SERVING EAGLE
APPLICATION DEDICATED TO VETERANS DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD
APPLICATION DEDICATED TO VETERANS DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD
By: Haley Martin-Sadler, Mikaell Sanchez & Christian Meyer
DESCRIPTION & GOAL
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a common mental health condition amongs veterans who have served in all branches in the United States Military. It is common that PTSD has been the cause of a disabilty disorder in veterans who have served and experienced some traumatic experience while serving.
The Serving Eagle is the solution to help those veterans who are experiencing symtoms of PTSD today and hope to soon help others who have served and not served who are also experiencing PTSD.
WHAT IS PTSD?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
SYMPTOMS OF THE DISORDER
PTSD is associated with medical conditions including:
Cardiovascular Disease
Arthritis
Asthma
Chronic pain
Diabetes
Gastrointestinal Disorders
STATISTICS
RECOMMENDATIONS ON TREATING PTSD
Should:
- Avoid alcohol and drugs (including nicotine) because substance abuse can make the symptoms of PTSD worse.
- Meditation practices can easily calm your mind if done so daily.
- Seek professional help! This cannot be faced on your own.
Shouldn't:
- Isolate from others, especially loved ones.
- Put yourself in stressful situations, especially situations that could potentially trigger you.
- Use alcohol & drugs to avoid any signs of PTSD.
THERAPY & TREATMENT
Psychotherapy is the most effective “first-line” approach to treating PTSD.
Psychotropic medications may also be helpful, particularly when combined with talk therapy approaches.
Additionally, some studies indicate that veterans with PTSD may benefit from coping methods that they can practice independently, without clinicians present.
APPLICATION SOLUTION:
SERVING EAGLE
Serving Eagle is a Theraputic Application which provides:
Easy access & free specifically for veterans (others who have suffered as well are welcome to use)
Emergency access with a button to contact a professional to guide through an episode.
Access to information of the disability, mini games for calming, relaxing music, meditation feature, & automatic notifications to check up on the user.
Journaling option for users to document their progress, journey, and emeotions.
APPLICATION
First Time Screen:
The first time a new user opens the app, they'll be asked to input a personal contact that can be available in the case of an emergency. In addition, if their provider gives them a number to use, they can be added to the app as well as an emergency contact. These are not required to access the app and can be done or changed later in the Settings, as well as adding additional personal contacts.
Navigation Bar:
The Nav Bar features - from left to right - Home, Distractions, Noise, Journal, and Emergency on the far right.
Distraction Option:
Provides a number of simple, quick minigames that can be played to help distract from a potential episode. The chosen games (and best ones to utilize) are simple puzzle games that don't use a lot of fancy bells and whistles. This example uses Tetris (classic tetromino game), Color Fill (touch tiles to change colors, change all tiles to one color in as few moves as possible) and Same Color (clear the board by touching same colored blocks; more blocks destroyed in one touch means more points.)
Noise Option:
Has a number of noise generators, to help with meditation and help block out potentially triggering noises. The specific sounds can also be adjusted with volume sliders.
Journal Option:
The user may write a personal journal using the app, allowing them to write out whatever they feel like. In addition, if they have an approved provider's number, the user may also choose to send the journal entry to them.
Emergency Menu:
Gives quick access to the user's potential contacts; approved medical numbers are always provided at the top of the menu.
GOALS FOR THE FUTURE
With this application in progress, the major goals to accomplish are:
- To help a user potentially avoid a PTSD episode - distraction, guidance, etc.
- Give a user daily meditation practices for a mind clearance and relaxation to the point where it becomes a healthy daily routine.
- Immediate assistance if unable to avoid an episode, making assistance available ASAP - can be a relative/family member, or a capable medical practitioner.
- To soon be accessible in the future for all veterans with PTSD & other people who are non-veterans who also suffer the same mental health disability.
REFERENCES
