NAMI Utah

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Study

Has a traumatic event turned your world upside down?

www.CopeResearch.com

COPE is a clinical research study now enrolling about 240 volunteers at 25 sites throughout the U.S.  It is looking at the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug called orvepitant for the treatment of PTSD.

More than half of all Americans will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives.

One in 10 people who experience an event will develop symptoms. If you are having symptoms after experiencing a traumatic event or have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you may be eligible to participate in the COPE study if you:

*   Experienced a traumatic event (not related to combat or the military), such as:

- A personal attack or physical abuse

- A severe car accident or medical procedure

- A terror attack or natural disaster

- Seeing others be hurt or killed

*   Have experienced one or more of the following symptoms for the past 3 months:

- Repeated flashbacks or anxiety triggered by memories

- Irritability

- Repeated bad dreams and/or inability to sleep

- Unable to concentrate or do things you used to enjoy

- Feeling hopeless, angry, sad, fearful, guilty, or ashamed

*   Are not in talk therapy specifically for PTSD or a sleep disorder

*   Are between 18 and 64 years of age

*   Are not currently participating in a clinical trial

The event can be something that happened to you or something that you saw happen.

Study participants may receive the investigational drug, physical exams, and laboratory services and tests at no charge. Participants may also be paid for their time and travel. Throughout the study, participants will be monitored by a medical team, including a doctor.

Please go to www.CopeResearch.com for more information and to see if you may be eligible to participate.  Or call toll-free 1-866-601-2342.

Hearts & Minds Tip of the Week

With the weather beginning to heat up and summer right around the corner, take these safety precautions for heat-related illnesses. (The below information is from the CDC)

Getting too hot can make you sick. You can become ill from the heat if your body can't compensate for it and properly cool you off. Heat exposure can even kill you: it caused 8,015 deaths in the United States from 1979 to 2003.

These are the main things affecting your body's ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather:

  • High humidity. When the humidity is high, sweat won't evaporate as quickly, which keeps your body from releasing heat as fast as it may need to.
  • Personal factors. Age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use can play a role in whether a person can cool off enough in very hot weather.

Here are some facts about which people are at greatest risk for heat-related illness and what protective actions to take to prevent illness or death:

  • People who are at highest risk are the elderly, the very young, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases
  • But even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.
  • Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. If a home is not air-conditioned, people can reduce their risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air-conditioned.

You can take these steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths during hot weather:

  • Stay cool indoors.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Replace salt and minerals.
  • Wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen.
  • Schedule outdoor activities carefully.
  • Pace yourself.
  • Use a buddy system.
  • Monitor people at high risk.
  • Adjust to the environment.
  • Do not leave children in cars.
  • Use common sense.

 More Information

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