Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) refers to a mental health condition, which is often triggered by a terrifying event experienced or witnessed by a person who develops the condition (Thomas, 2011). In essence, an individual who develops the condition (PTSD) may suffer because he or she was the one who received the harm or the harm was on a loved one or the person in question was just a witness of a terrifying occurrence as stated earlier. Usually, people suffering from the post-traumatic stress disorder feel frightened or stressed even when they are out of the danger (Thomas, 2011). Some of the stressing events that cause the PTSD include serious injury, threats of imminent death, warfare, sexual assault among others. The PTSD is common in women as opposed to men. In addition, women have a higher likelihood to experience higher impact events resulting from the condition than men.
Symptoms
The PTSD has several symptoms that distinguish it from other mental illnesses. Essentially, the symptoms can be classified into three main groups including relieving, increased arousal and avoiding symptoms. Individuals suffering from the disorder repeatedly relive the experience through memories and thoughts of trauma. Some of the thoughts and memories include flashbacks, nightmares and hallucinations (Lahad & Doron, 2010). In some individuals, feelings of great distress upon experience of events such as the anniversary of a loved one remind them of the traumatic occurrence.
In some cases, a person suffering from PTSD may avoid thoughts, places, people or situations that can remind them oneself of the trauma. The person develops feelings of isolation and detachment from family and friends. Furthermore, a person loses interest things that he or she once enjoyed.
At times, it is possible for some individuals to develop increased arousal because of post-traumatic disorder (Thomas, 2011). As such, an individual will have difficulty in falling asleep, problems when relating to others, excessive emotions and irritability.in addition the individual may develop physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, rapid breathing, diarrhea, and nausea and muscle tension.
Percentage of the Population Diagnosed With PTSD
According to Lahad & Doron (2010), approximately 7.8 percent of American citizens experience PTSD at some time in their lives. For women, the prevalence of developing the disorder (10.4%) is twice that of men, which is estimated at 5%. In one year, it is expected that about 3.6% of American adults having ages of between 18 to 54 will develop PTSD. In addition, it is estimated that approximately 30% of women and men who have lived in war zones experience PTSD. Similarly, about 20% to 25% of those who come from war zones have experienced the condition at some point in the lives. In essence, about 5.2 million adults are estimated to develop PTSD in any given year. For example, from the Gulf war the estimates of the occurrence of the post-traumatic stress disorder are not less than 10%. The current estimates PTSD are 12% to 20% for the military personnel who previously served in Iraq war(Thomas, 2011).
Causes of PTSD
The explanations of PTSD regarding how the condition develops are many and revolve around the way the mind is impacted by traumatic events or experiences. Some theorists speculate that the mind becomes unable to process information and feelings in the usual way once a person faces overwhelming trauma. Further, researchers believe that pre-traumatic psychological factors such as low self-esteem predispose a person to the PTSD condition.
In some studies, researchers reveal that both the mind and brain are pertinent to the development of the PTSD condition. Essentially, brain-imaging studies associate the hippocampus and amygadala structures of the brain with the PTSD condition. The amygadala structure contributes to how people learn about fear while the hippocampus is vital for memory purposes. Scientists believe that in individuals with PTSD the amycadala is hyperactive while the hippocampus structure is associated with loss of volume, a fact that accounts for the memory deficits and other PTSD symptoms (Thomas, 2011).
Possibly, neurochemicals are significant in the development of PTSD. The available evidence reveals that in people with the condition, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) is interfered with, thus malfunctions the hormonal system (Lahad &Doron, 2010). Some researchers suggest that the HPA dysfunction causes hippocampal damage in individuals with PTSD. Undoubtedly, it might be possible to predict of the disorder (PTSD) by utilizing neurochemical and psychological changes in individuals that have been subjected to traumatic events. Thus, the specific causes of the disorder have not been isolated, and more research in the future may lead distinctive factors for its occurrence.
Cognitive treatment approach for PTSD
The cognitive approaches seek to change the ways of thinking persons’ suffering from mental illness. The cognitive approach will help the PTSD individuals to identify negative thoughts and their assumptions about to how they view of the world. This is important because the individuals will learn to consider positive interpretations of the events they experience. Thus, events that once caused stress to the individuals will be manageable for them, and this will help them to avoid stress.
Behavioral treatment approach for PTSD
The approach represents treatment that employs counter conditioning in order to decrease symptoms of anxiety in a person. This therapy assumes that an anxiety occurs because of classical conditioning. The PTSD clients can be taught on how to relax in the event of traumatizing experiences, thus reduce the anxiety. Exposure therapies can also be applied in order to make the clients develop mechanisms to resist anxiety once they encounter a traumatizing situation.
Humanistic treatment approach for PTSD
In this approach, it is believed that people’s difficulties originate from incongruence. The individuals suffering from PTSD can be assisted to learn how to accept who they are in order to become less reliant upon the acceptance of others. As such, the PTSD individuals can avoid feelings of anxiety because they can understand their selves and accept reality.
Psychodynamic treatment approach for PTSD
This treatment approach focuses on unfolding unconscious motives, defenses and conflicts that relate to childhood experience. Psychoanalysts use free association, dream analysis and interpretation to study the unconscious. The PTSD clients can be helped to avoid their anxieties that cause distress once they are given freedom to express themselves. In addition, this approach improves self-esteem and allows the clients to achieve relaxation and avoid anxiety.
Best Therapeutic Approach
Cognitive approach is the best in addressing mental health problems such as PTSD. In essence, this approach attempts to change the thinking styles of individuals. Often, it is agreeable that stress arises from the thoughts of a person. As such, if individuals are assisted to develop positive thinking, their anxieties can be avoided. Thus, the mental disorders will be overcome.
Expected Resistance in Treating PTSD
I expect that some of the patients/clients will not reveal all the information I need before treating them. Essentially, people who are traumatized because of assaults such as rape may not be comfortable to reveal that. In addition, some of the clients do not consider the PTSD as a treatable condition. Thus, they may resist treatment. Moreover, in trying to change how people think may not be easy. In other cases, the cultural beliefs of the clients may not advocate for treatment of some conditions using any of the approaches aforementioned.
Role of Groups and Family in Treatment of PTSD
Group therapy is pertinent because it provides a forum where people share experiences and learn from each other (Thomas, 2010).The groups can provide support for the ones affected by PTSD and help them to avoid distress by engaging them in activities that help them to forget their traumatizing experiences. Family members help to encourage those affected by PTSD by consoling them. Therefore, groups and families have a special connection to individuals, and they can influence their ways of thinking in order to avoid anxiety.
Dual Diagnosis Issues
The symptoms of PTSD are very disturbing. In essence, individuals undergo a lot of stress and therefore some may not cope. Consequently, most of the individuals start using drugs and alcohol in order to eliminate stress. This results in more stress.
The difference between a lay opinion and an educated opinion of PTSD
Usually an educated opinion is based on facts such as findings from research that have been tested and proved valid to an acceptable measure. On the other hand, a lay opinion is illogical and unreliable because it is not based on scientific facts.
Working Environment Orientation
I expect to work with people of all ages, races/ethnicity and gender. Addressing cultural issues in the work place involves respecting other people’s beliefs and involving them in decision making in order to strike an agreement as may regard a particular cultural issue.
Part B: Report of Interventions
After, the coursework on cognitive development, I carried on the practice in order to help persons faced with mental health challenges. Moreover, the assignment on mental disorders especially PTSD and how it is treated helped me to adopt positive thoughts and discard negative thoughts. In essence, after realizing that stress is ingrained in our ways of thought, I changed my approach in terms of how I handle traumatizing events. Initially, I would allow I would be distressed over family issues, a habit that made me break friendship with my colleagues because I had little time with them. Certainly, the unit provided many approaches to mental health disorders’ treatment and some of which are applicable in everyday life.
Alternatively, the last few weeks of the course helped me to lay down interventions that have helped me to manage procrastination issues. I managed to avoid procrastination through having a list of what to do each day. Perhaps, one of the noble ways to avoid procrastination is to schedule daily activities and complete them all. The aforementioned intervention was effective in addressing the issue of procrastination. Ultimately, it is pertinent to adapt positive thoughts in order to achieve more.
References
Lahad, M., & Doron, M. (2010). Protocol for treatment of post traumatic stress disorder: SEE FAR CBT Model : beyond cognitive behavior therapy. Amsterdam: IOS Press.
Thomas, P. (2011). Post traumatic stress disorder. Farmington Hills, MI: Lucent Books.
