89. Blast Overpressure Brain Injury in Mortar Soldiers and the Effect on Mental Health (with Todd Strader)

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You are NOT your brain injury! Brain injuries can be considered a hidden injury, but what happens when someone doesn’t even realize they have one? It would be so overwhelming to have so many symptoms and not know where they are coming from. This is often the case for members of the military that are exposed to occupational low-level blast overpressure from firing heavy weapons like mortars and artillery, which has now been shown to cause brain trauma, but has not yet been widely understood.In this episode, Cristabelle interviews Todd Strader about his personal journey as a veteran and advocate for awareness of brain injuries caused by low-level blast overpressure. Many veterans face challenges in obtaining recognition and treatment for these injuries, and Todd shares about his support community called “Overpressured” which has helped many  find support. We also discuss the importance of understanding the connection between TBI and mental health issues, including PTSD and suicide, and how recognizing the brain injury brings hope. Todd shares his personal experiences with symptoms, and how it is important to be real with the struggles we face.00:00 Intro with Cristabelle06:55 Todd Strader's Journey and Advocacy with Blast Overpressure16:00 TBI, Mental Health, and PTSD27:45 Symptoms and Challenges of Living with TBI39:00 Future Directions & Hope in Research and Treatment for Veterans43:00 Words of Hope: From Shame to Acceptance - You are Not Your InjuryConnect with Todd and Learn More: https://overpressured.com/CONNECTFind more resources, podcast episodes, & our monthly zoom support group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ | @hopesurvivesHosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to the intro song "Hope Survives" by Cristabelle Braden on all music streaming platforms!This podcast is for education and informational purposes only, and not intended for medical advice. If you need specific medical advice, please consult your physician.