Post Traumatic Stress and Mental Disorder

Mental Disorders and Crisis Intervention: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Summarize the signs and symptoms of the mental disorder
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) indications may prove to be highly distressing. An individual suffering from this condition may find these indications disrupting their lives and resulting in challenges when it comes to carrying out everyday activities. The mental health condition known as PTSD is marked by the following three key groups of indicators, namely, intrusive, arousal and avoidance symptoms.
Intrusive symptoms
Specific memories, imageries, noises, feelings and smells linked to the traumatic occurrence may end up intruding into a PTSD-diagnosed individual’s life. Patients might be so intensely captured by recollections of their past trauma that it becomes hard for them to concentrate on their present. Patients commonly report the surfacing of disturbing trauma-linked memories from time to time. Besides distress, physical symptoms may surface as well, including sweating, muscular tension and a growth in heart rate, when faced with things which bring to mind the horrors of that event. On the whole, such "intrusive" signs give rise to immense distress, leading to dread, guilt, rage, sorrow and other similar emotions (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2017).
Avoidance/numbing symptoms
Reminders and recollections of experienced trauma are highly distasteful and normally result in substantial distress. Thus, individuals suffering from PTSD typically steer clear of settings, places, events or individuals which trigger recollections of the incident experienced. Usually, they refrain from talking or thinking about the occurrence, aiming to dissociate themselves from the agonizing emotions generated owing to those recollections. In doing so, they end up isolating themselves from kith and kin, as well as the overall society. Such actions on the part of a victim may prove immensely trying for kith and kin, who tend to believe the victim is merely acting ‘difficult’ or ‘lazy’ (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2017).
Arousal symptoms
Generally, individuals with trauma experiences face a threat to their mortality. One’s naïve suppositions and views regarding the world’s fairness and safety, regarding the goodness of humanity, and regarding the attitude that one will never be exposed to such a terrifying experience, might end up being destroyed by the event. In its aftermath, a victim usually senses threats wherever he/she goes and makes a mountain out of a molehill. Consequently, they might become constantly and excessively vigilant, nervous, and touchy. Concentration difficulties may arise as well. Another common sign is sleep disturbances and anger; individuals diagnosed with PTSD experiences increased feelings of irritability and display a tendency of having angry outbursts directed at themselves, other people, and the entire world, on the whole (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2017).
Specific crisis events that could most impact persons suffering from the mental illness
PTSD does not constitute the sole psychological reaction to any traumatic incident. Individuals with traumatic experiences might develop several other concurrent issues which have negative impacts on quality of life, interactional and social skills, and capability of doing work. Such challenges may emerge independently or in relation to PTSD. On the whole, the most widely-linked issues to PTSD include substance abuse, anxiety, and depression (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2017).
Depression
Depression represents a state of overall low mood as well as disinterest in once-enjoyable pursuits. The life of a depressed individual becomes dull and boring, with nothing appearing to elicit feelings of joy or excitement any longer. Such a state may vary in intensity, from mere gloominess to numbness and a complete withdrawal from society. Such episodes might persist for some hours or even continue on for months or years. In acute instances, the individual might not consider his/her life worth living any longer. Roughly half the individuals suffering from chronic PTSD report major depression issues (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2017).
Anxiety
Anxiety may be defined as worry and apprehensiveness that an unpleasant event is on the verge of transpiring. Normally, it arises together with various alarming physical signs. Individuals experiencing such signs may believe themselves to be going crazy or facing imminent death from heart failure. Anxiety may be general or situation-specific (triggered by contexts like, say, social events, public transport, or spaces packed with people). It may become rather disabling and disruptive since anxious individuals typically avoid several kinds of situations (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2017).
Alcohol and drugs
For dealing with unwelcome symptoms, individuals may resort to consumption or abuse of substances like drugs and alcohol. Alcohol is the most widely abused substance, followed by marijuana and even prescription drugs. Substance dependency leads to potential aggressive conduct and an impairment in individual capability of relating to others and functioning properly. Major challenges may arise in contexts like the workplace, funds, relationships, and other areas (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2017).
Types of methods you would suggest for working with such patients:
· Coping mechanisms
· Increased sleeping
· Crisis stabilization and involvement in one’s treatment
· Anger management
· Anxiety management
· Depression management
· Information and education
· Cognitive restructuring by means of psychodynamic psychotherapy
· Exposure therapy– Dealing with memories
· Exposure therapy– Dealing with feared situations (Veterans Affairs Canada, 2017)
Role of a human services worker on the healing and restoration of patients with PTSD
Human services workers have historically contributed to psychological health service delivery and presently make up over sixty percent of America’s mental health service providers. Clinician human service workers are equipped to deal with diverse mental, behavioral and psychological problems, and may be able to offer individual, family and group therapy. During times of crises, they provide the necessary counseling for diffusing serious problems, usually devising and implementing an ongoing treatment regimen. Furthermore, they can assist with marriage counseling and family therapy for maintaining the family support systems of their patients. Lastly, they may aid in educating armed forces personnel and family members by offering details on particular health issues, services provided and valuable coping interventions (Lowcountry Graduate Center, 2016).



References
Lowcountry Graduate center. (2016, October 12). A Social Worker’s Role in Restoring Health to Military Veterans. Retrieved November 21, 2017, from https://www.lowcountrygradcenter.org/the-social-workers-role-in-restoring-health-to-military-veterans/
Veterans Affairs Canada. (2017, February 02). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and war-related stress. Retrieved November 21, 2017, from http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/services/health/mental-health/publications/ptsd-warstress