The patient seeking therapy is a 32-year-old male referred to as Canary Parkton with a condition he describes as stress and anxiety attributed to his previous position as a military officer. Parkton worked as a military officer for a period of 5 years during which he was exposed to a wide range of traumatic events. Although it is mandatory for military officers to seek therapy during the course of their service, Parkton indicates that he did not attend the intended sessions of therapy. However, signs of stress and depression came about in early 2013 after Parkton returned from his fourth tour of Iraq where he was based as a corporal in the United States army. His family members, as well as his colleagues, encouraged him to seek professional help that would help in dealing with the signs and symptoms he presented.
As part of a background analysis of the events that Parkton was exposed to as part of his duty, he indicates that he witnessed situations where some of the members of his platoon died in the line of duty. In some cases, Parkton indicates that he believed that he would die based on the traumatic events within which he was exposed. Since that period, Parkton points out that he found it difficult to sleep at night due to intrusive memories of specific events that occurred during his tours to Iraq. In addition, Parkton also developed an avoidance tendency leading to a situation where he was unable to interact with other individuals within his surrounding environment. He believed that majority of the people in his surrounding meant to cause harm to him in one way or the other, which was not the case, as he interacted with members of his family. Most of these members of the facility believed that it was important for Parkton to seek professional help that would enhance the capacity of dealing with the traumatic events.
Presenting Problem: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Symptoms
Based on the case of Canary Parkton, described in the previous section, it is evident that the patient presents several notable symptoms associated with the condition that is important to consider in understating it. Dealing with these symptoms is important, as it would help towards ensuring that the patient achieves positive health outcomes associated with the condition in question.
Exposure to violence, as part of his duty in the military, presented him with a situation leading to the feeling of helplessness. In some cases, Parkton watched as other members of his platoon died while lacking the ability to help them, which exacerbated the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
Patients suffering from PTSD find it challenging in trying to remember specific events that may have resulted in the occurrence of the condition (Bardhoshi et al, 2016). In this case, Parkton experiences significant challenges in trying to recall all the events that may have resulted in his feeling of fear and helplessness.
The patient also shows signs of high irritability, especially when dealing with other individuals within his surrounding environment. When placed in an environment with many people, Parkton develops an overwhelming feeling of fear. The fear creates a spurring reaction from Parkton leading to a situation where he tends to become violent regardless of the friendly nature of the environment.
Goals
The first goal of this therapy session is to help in reducing the recurring effects associated with PTSD for the patient involved. Ultimately, the patient would be in a position to handle the underlying factors resulting in the occurrence of the condition as part of enhanced capacities to maintain overall effectiveness for the therapy.
Secondly, the therapy sessions will help the patient prepare a specific set of functions focused on ensuring that he is in a position to handle the underlying effects of the condition identified. Erford et al (2016) argue that patients suffering from PTSD tend to experience difficulties in leading normal lives thereby highlight the need for having to come up with a strategic plan on how to handle the effects of the condition.
Lastly, the therapy sessions will help towards ensuring the patient involved is in a position to recall all the events that may have resulted in the occurrence of PTSD for the patient involved. However, it would be essential to ensure that the patient does not experience any emotional connection towards these events, as this may contribute to the reoccurrence of the condition.
References
Bardhoshi, G. et al (2016). Choosing assessment instruments For Posttraumatic Stress Disorder screening and outcome research. Journal of Counseling & Development, 94(2), 184-194.
Erford, B. T. et al (2016). Meta‐analysis of counseling outcomes for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Counseling & Development, 94(1), 13-30.
