Analyzing Psychology of Trauma

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PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)

PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) refers to a mental health condition that is set off by a horrifying event; through either witnessing or encountering it. Some of the symptoms are nightmares, flashbacks and severe nervousness together with unmanageable thoughts regarding the horrific event. Just like in Anthony's case, several individuals who experience traumatic events find it difficult to adjust and cope for a while, but that does not imply that they have PTSD; with proper self-care and time they normally get better. However, if the symptoms worsen or persist for months or years and impede one's functioning, one might have PTSD. Obtaining effective treatment following the development of the PTSD symptoms could be important in minimizing symptoms and improving function. PTSD symptoms might begin showing within three months of a traumatic experience, however, at times the symptoms might not show until some years after the event. These symptoms can cause considerable issues in work or social settings as well as in relationships. There are four types of PTSD symptoms: invasive memories, avoidance, negative changes in moods and thoughts, or variations in emotional responses (Clinic Staff, 2014).

In Anthony's case study, majority of the victims of relational and other kinds of early life trauma are greatly distressed and frequently battle with feelings of rage, grief, isolation, mistrust, uncertainty, aloneness, low self-worth, self-loathing, and shame. They appear to be captives of their emotions, varying between being flooded by extreme physiological and emotional anxiety linked with the trauma or its outcomes and being separated and not being able to communicate or feel any emotion completely. These happen along with other common symptoms and reactions. Individuals having complicated trauma histories, frequently have diffused identity problems and perceive themselves as strangers. In addition, they frequently feel a sense of personal inadequacy, and that nobody understands, nor could even assist them. Quite sadly and regularly, both they and other individuals misunderstand them, undervalue their strengths, or see their survival adaptation via a pathology lens ( for instance, viewing them as "demanding" over reliant and needy, violent, or at times, even as having mean character) (Courtois, 2015).

Given that Anthony has always had slight anger problems due to the fact that his father was a cruel drunkard who beat his wife and children, horrifying situations happen to all at some point in life. Individuals react in varying ways: they may feel anxious, have a difficult time sleeping, or revisit the details of the event in their mind. These experiences or thoughts are a common response. They reduce with time and the affected individuals can resume their daily lives. On the contrary, PTSD lasts much longer and can severely disrupt an individual's life. An event is traumatic if it horrifying, devastating, and results in a lot of anxiety. Trauma is frequently not anticipated, and majority of the victims mention that were powerless to change or end the undesirable experience. Examples of traumatic events are crimes, accidents, natural calamities, conflict or battle, or other life threatening situations. It can be a situation or an event that you encounter yourself or something that occurs to others such as loved ones. Post-traumatic stress disorder results in intrusive symptoms like re-living the traumatic encounter. Majority of the victims have vivid nightmares, flashback, or thoughts of the experience that appear to have no origin. They frequently avoid things which remind them of the experience; for instance, an individual who was hurt in a car accident may keep away from driving. PTSD could make individuals feel constantly anxious. Majority feel worried quite easily, have difficulties focusing, feel petulant, or have issues sleeping well. They might frequently feel that something untoward is about to take place even if they are secure. Others feel numb and isolated. They might feel as if things surrounding are not real, feel detached from their body or thoughts, or have difficulty feeling emotions. Symptoms start showing within three months of the event, but may emerge even years later in rare cases. They ought to last more than one month to be regarded PTSD. There exists variation in the course of the sickness. Certain individuals recuperate after six months whereas some have symptoms that might last longer. In some individuals, the condition gets chronic. Symptoms which persist make it difficult to go about day-to-day activities, go to work or school, spend time with friends, and handle important duties as it is well seen that Anthony has not been able to go to work. PTSD is frequently accompanied by substance abuse, despair, or one or more of other anxiety disorders (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, n.d).

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Similar to Anthony's case, Veterans that suffer from PTSD have higher incidences of divorce, violence, and IPV compared to veterans who do not. Psychosocial rehabilitation basically entails family psycho-education and supported education, housing, and employment. Data support a collaborative, integrated treatment plan for PTSD which merges trauma-centered therapies with psychosocial rehabilitation. According to preliminary findings, programs like the Navy and Marine Corps FOCUS project minimize the threat in military couples. Veterans with PTSD have higher chances of unemployment and underemployment compared to veterans that do not. Veterans that are disabled with war-related PTSD might use the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program, which entails funds for complete vocational assessment, vocational placement services, work-preparedness services, and training. According to research, veterans that suffer from PTSD and have been imprisoned or recently released from prison can gain from comprehensive treatment as well as rehabilitation programs which deal with PTSD symptoms, violence, and substance abuse. Generally, the evidence base for PTSD treatment and co-occurring issues (especially psychosocial conditions like homelessness, high-risk actions and medical conditions like cardiovascular disease) is meager.

Treatment goals

Just like Anthony's case, PTSD is a response to a severe traumatic experience. So as to qualify as severe, the experience needs to entail threat of death, death, severe physical injury, or threat to physical integrity. Normal encounters that could result to PTSD are warfare, physical or sexual abuse, natural or man-made calamities, severe accident, torture, or even being diagnosed with a life-endangering sickness. There are three basic sets of symptoms associated with PTSD: (1) re-living the trauma (includes flashbacks, memories, and/or nightmares); (2) evasion of external or internal cues related with the traumatic experience (could entail feelings of isolation or numbness); and (3) increased stimulation (entailing petulance, insomnia, impaired focus, and hypervigilance). PTSD is distinguished from adjustment disorder through the gravity of the traumatic occurrence; the traumatic experience should be severe for a diagnosis of PTSD to be ascertained. Acute stress disorder is presented as a diagnosis in cases where the symptom picture looks a lot like but the event took place less than four weeks ago. In case of intrusive thoughts, they must be associated to a trauma; if not, a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder is taken into consideration. Likewise, extreme flashbacks might, on certain occasions, resemble the hallucinations related with psychotic disorders. On the other hand, provided that they are linked with a trauma, PTSD is the most likely diagnosis. A significant disparity diagnosis to be made with PTSD entails malingering. This ought to be excluded if there is the chance of recuperation from the disorder. Confirmation of the trauma needs to be obtained in such like cases (Yule, 1994).

In Anthony's case, the treatment goals and the usefulness of their interventions illustrates if the therapist is being excessively affected by the story of a client. In any case, the aim of treatment is the relief of the patient's symptoms in their everyday life. Attaining that goal shall be both the patient's and the therapist's main consideration. The influence of the content of the story of the client gets less significant. In case the treatment is not successful then there is a great possibility that the therapist was influenced by the emotions of the patient's story. Success has a lot to do with the therapist's anticipations of their interventions. If a lot is anticipate by the therapist, they might be disappointed regarding the treatment's impact as well as the patient's symptoms and issues shall persist. Room for success is higher when lower objectives are set by therapists. Patients whose issues are challenging to therapeutically change or process frequently have a sense of vulnerability and hopelessness; that are capable of influencing the emotions of the therapist. In this particular circumstance, it is even more crucial to set sensible goals. When patients are not able to work together with the therapist in coming up with the goals, then it is very crucial that therapists set sensible expectations for themselves. This is turn avoids any kind of disappointment as well as any mixture of feelings between the therapist and the client, apart from minimizing the risk of counter-transference (Trudy, 2015).

Treatment phases 1, 2 and 3

Treating PTSD using a three phased approach has become standard in dealing with this disorder. Each phase achieves a specific treatment objective: Phase 1 is to ensure that the client is mentally prepared and is adequately safe and….....

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