Free Essay Example. Nature and Causes of Trauma

Trauma is defined as the response to an event or occasion that is stressing and disturbing and often overwhelms a person’s ability to handle the feelings of being helpless. Further, it takes away one’s ability to experience several emotions (Alex, 2020). Trauma does not discriminate against any person. Data from a survey conducted by the World Mental Health revealed that at least a third of the persons surveyed in different countries were either experiencing trauma or had previously experienced it.

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Typically, posttraumatic symptoms are often caused by some of the following experiences: inability to be in control, feeling of betrayal, feeling of despair, immense pain, loss of loved ones, accidents, etc. this list is by no means conclusive or exhaustive. What may cause traumatic symptoms in one person may not have similar results on another person. The nature of trauma is that it varies from one person to another. It is subjective and is best defined by the response witnessed, other than the cause itself.

The responses to trauma could be categorized as emotional signs, physical symptoms, behavioral change, as well as psychological disorders. Some of the emotional signs include sadness, anger, denial, fear, shame, etc. Behavioral changes include: nightmares, insomnia, difficulty in relating to others, frequent emotional outbursts, etc. (Alex, 2020). Physical symptoms entail nausea, dizziness, altered sleep patterns, appetite change, frequent headaches, gastrointestinal problems, etc. Psychological disorders include: posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, dissociative disorders, substance abuse problems, etc.

It is not everyone who is traumatized that gets to develop PTSD. Some develop the symptoms mentioned above. Such symptoms disappear in a few weeks. Such persons are said to experience acute stress disorder (ASD). On the other hand, some symptoms last for over a month and adversely impair one’s ability to function normally. Such persons are said to be suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Alex, 2020). Varying from one person to the other, they are those whose symptoms could take a while before showing, whereas some live with the symptoms for the rest of their life. These symptoms could advance to panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, and behaviors, substance abuse, feelings of being neglected, inability to complete basic tasks, etc.

As previously mentioned, trauma is not defined by its cause; instead, it is defined by the experiences of the victims. In this regard, it can be classified into two- significant ‘T’ traumas and small ‘t’ traumas. Small ‘t’ traumas entail situations where the safety or life of the victim is not in jeopardy, but traumatic symptoms are still experienced. Most victims often have an easier time when it comes to recovery. Some of the causes could be relocating or changing jobs, divorce, financial struggles, stress at work, etc.

On the other hand, large ‘T’ traumas revolve around adverse experiences that cause critical distress levels as well as despair. The causes could be one-time or prolonged. The former includes terror attacks, natural disasters, sexual harassment, etc., while the latter entails war, child abuse, being neglected or abandoned, etc. (Van der Kolk, 2000). As a coping mechanism, people tend to take the escapist route. Rather than confront the triggers, they tend to avoid them. The consequence of this is that it does not work in the long-term. Eventually, the symptoms catch up and prove to be overwhelming.

Posttraumatic stress disorder

How the human body responds to psychological trauma ranks among the most significant health challenges globally. Traumatic situations such as violent activity within one’s family or social circles, being a victim of rape or assault, accidents, wars, etc., expose people to high levels of vulnerability (Benedek, 2009). This vulnerability impairs their ability to respond appropriately. Such individuals ultimately develop PTSD, which can best be defined as a disorder wherein the traumatic situation engulfs the victim’s consciousness, and interferes with their normal functioning. It interferes with one’s psychological functioning, as well as their behavior.

Quite often, when someone goes through an experience that is life-threatening or traumatic, the first instinct that comes to mind is survival, as well as self-protection. Such persons go through numbness, tend to withdraw from others, are often confused or in shock, etc. Other victims tend to confront the trauma by taking action, whereas others tend to dissociate and look to escape from it. However, it cannot be said categorically that either of the responses helps prevent the development of PTSD. However, both mechanisms are utilized to some extent during PTSD treatment.

The diagnosis of PTSD entails the following main elements; constant reliving of the traumatic memories, avoiding things or situations that remind the victim of the trauma; and a steady sequence of increased arousal. Unlike the actual trauma, PTSD transforms into a timeless character. The consequences of this are adverse. While it hinders the victim from being able to deal with the traumatic experience, it also prevents them from living normally and comfortably in the present (Benedek, 2009). As such, the victim is left in limbo, unsure of how best to deal with the situation. In response, they resort to coping mechanisms that are often self-destructive. Such coping mechanisms include substance abuse, withdrawal, suicidal thoughts, etc.

Nature, Effects and Crisis Response Strategy for Immediate Intervention for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

As has been established above, PTSD is caused by a culmination of responses that result from a traumatic experience. The symptoms witnessed in PTSD can best be classified into the following: reliving through the memories of the traumatic experience through nightmares, etc., trying to avoid any stimuli related to the trauma; arousal experiences that keep recurring; changes in mood and cognitive capability. Usually, these symptoms are witnessed for over a month (Kearns, 2012). After that, the victim develops distress and adverse impairment in their normal functioning.

Immediately after the occurrence of trauma, any interventions put up target the secondary prevention of PTSD. In other words, the interventions aimed at preventing the disorder from advancing further, particularly in victims of the traumatic event. Owing to the increasing number of PTSD prevalence in the U.S., secondary interventions have proven to be quite crucial. Furthermore, the World Health Organization revealed the adverse effects of PTSD on the economy, social and interpersonal relations, and occupational functioning. This revelation has further emphasized the importance of combating PTSD soon enough.

Additionally, not just those who have directly experienced a traumatic event are pre-disposed to trauma. One can experience trauma by proxy, i.e., through having witnessed someone else experiencing trauma- loved ones, etc. PTSD symptoms often occur within days of exposure. Most people overcome these symptoms within a few weeks of exposure, whereas others get to experience the chronic effects.

The nature of PTSD and the varying impacts it may have on the victim, both in the long-term and short-term, could mean that the doctor regularly encounters patients with PTSD. Some of these patients may not even be aware of the growing disorder affecting them. In such cases, the clinician is forced to diagnose and begin the treatment of PTSD. The promptness within which the disorder is treated is more beneficial to the victim, and society at large.

Two strategies are often used in treating or assisting persons with PTSD: universal strategies and targeted strategies. Universal strategies are prevention mechanisms meant for everyone who has been exposed to the trauma despite them showing any symptoms or bearing any risks of developing PTSD (Van der Kolk, 2000). On the other hand, targeted strategies seek to pin-point specific persons who are at a higher risk of developing PTSD compared to the rest. After that, such persons are isolated, and the interventions are done on them.

However, owing to the limited research available on the exact way of identifying a person who is at higher risk, it has been a bit difficult to offer targeted strategy interventions. Instead, universal strategies have been used more frequently. The prevention and treatment of PTSD have proven to have financial benefits as well. The use of universal, targeted strategies saves up to 100% of costs. The results of such interventions, mainly when done to war veterans, show that they increase one’s productivity and reduce suicidal rates.

Efforts made to prevent PTSD among persons exposed to different traumatic events are not just the burden of healthcare providers in mental health clinics. Instead, it needs the input of everyone in the healthcare sector. Data reveals that the number of those exposed to traumatic events is on the rise. As such, it is prudent to have more healthcare personnel, such as the emergency medicine physicians, doing the most to ensure more screening of patients showing psychiatric symptoms.

Some of the best practices used to offer treatment to persons exposed to trauma include (Mehnert, 2007); 1) the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat those with acute stress disorder- this has proven to be more effective in decreasing PTSD symptoms; 2) use of collaborative care; 3) debriefing has proven to be less effective in helping patients with PTSD symptoms. However, various research still questions the efficacy of reducing symptoms as a means of treating PTSD.

General medicine, as well as healthcare clinics, the central mental healthcare systems, within which person exposed to trauma, are assisted. Healthcare providers with no expertise in mental health are playing a role in the treatment by identifying those who exhibit related symptoms. As such, they are presented with the chance to help identify such patients early enough before the symptoms develop much further.

In contrast to other psychiatric disorders, the leading cause of PTSD- psychological trauma, is easy to identify and relate to a specific time or place of commencement. As such, it is possible to identify those who are a risk of getting PTSD (Mehnert, 2007). Further, upon identification, strategic preventive measures can be offered to them to help them soon after exposure.

However, healthcare providers are not supposed to perform screening to all persons exposed to trauma, as this would be self-defeating to the diagnosis of PTSD. Instead, those patients that show worrying symptoms ought to be referred for further assessment, to programs that have well-factored collaborative cares. Such programs could include CBT, case management, as well as pharmacotherapy.

The fight against PTSD prevalence bears immense benefits not only to the victims but society at large. It helps lift the burdens that come along with the effects of PTSD on victims. For instance, in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom for war veterans, PTSD’s economic costs range between $4-$6 billion in two years. Besides the suicidal incidences witnessed, treatment of PTSD patients is usually quite expensive. Further, advanced PTSD results in general unproductivity, loss of jobs, crimes, etc. when handled appropriately, such adverse effects can be avoided, thus reducing the substantial costs incurred in their treatment.