Psychologist Pavlo helps Ukrainian Woman with Panic Attacks Using May Seminar Training

In late July, Lena Denman and Masha Ivanova met with psychiatrist Dr. Pavlo Dmytriievskyi at the Center for Infectious Lesions of the Nervous System. Dr. Dmytriievskyi participated in the mental health training funded by UMCOR - United Methodist Committee On Relief earlier this spring.

"Pavlo also works at the Territorial Medical Association 'Psychiatry' and the Dr. Lakusta Clinic in Kyiv," Denman explained after their meeting. "I am always amazed by our clinicians who work at multiple facilities, doing their best to help during a time of war."

Dr. Pavlo Dmytriievskyi sees relatives of soldiers who are suffering from heavy reactions to stress, depression and anxiety.

"Including relatives of soldiers nearly 25-30% of patients are being seen due to some impact from the current conflict. Also, PTSD is included in all diagnostics," Dr. Pavlo Dmytriievskyi said. "I have seen soldiers with PTSD disorder. Most of these are active soldiers because receiving veteran status is difficult in Ukraine. From time to time it can take 5 minutes to diagnose PTSD, other times hours."

He also explained that explosions and contusions from such events can impact the amount of liquid in the brain. At times, "This can result in higher blood pressure, sickness after eating, [and] problems with sleeping. It could also result in fainting."

Dr. Pavlo Dmytriievskyi also reflected on how the May Mental Health Seminar has impacted his work so far.

"The medical part of the training is useful, including the pharmacology section of our training. Patients can receive psychotherapy and I can refer them if needed for further treatment," he said. "I see patients for psychiatric treatment. If I think psychotherapy is useful, I will propose it to my patients."

In a specific case, Dr. Pavlo Dmytriievskyi was able to apply his training and provide a patient relief in a week.

"There was a patient 25 years old who had a reaction to stress. She was not sleeping for three days and had panic attacks," he explained. "Thanks to knowledge received at the May seminar I prescribed antidepressants for her. Insomnia pills for sleeping were also prescribed. In one week, she stabilized and I referred her to a psychotherapist."

We are so thankful to be able to meet with the doctors and medical professionals who attended our Mental Health Seminar. It is amazing to know that the #education they received has already been useful in the field. Without funding from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), this training and improvement would not have been possible. We are so thankful for their grant support!