Family Anxiety Disorders: A Case Study

PTSD is not easily treated. Sometimes people can not only suffer mentally but have physical impairments from the event as well. This can make it hard for them to obtain the treatment they need. A combination of medications and psychotherapy is usually recommended and is the most effect form of treatment for PTSD. The earlier a person seeks treatment for this disorder the better the outcome will be. The medications are used to help people cope with their emotions while the psychotherapy will help

The first method of treatment is trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy. In this method, a patient is gradually but carefully exposed to feelings, thoughts, and situations that trigger memories of the trauma. By identifying the thoughts that make the patient remember the traumatic event, thoughts that had been irrational or distorted are replaced with a balanced picture. Another productive method is family therapy since the family of the patient is also affected by PTSD. Family therapy is aimed at helping those close to the patient understand what he/she is going through. This understanding will help in the establishment of appropriate communication and ways of curbing problems resulting from the symptoms (Smith & Segal, 2011).

The patient, a thirty-three year old female singer, is having difficulty sleeping, simple activities like getting groceries tire the patient easy, complains of neck pain, and cannot concentrate. The patient experiences worry and anxiety. However, when asked about what specifically, many things were brought up but none were more important than the other.

The study of psychology refers to collective trauma as the effect experienced by many people in the aftermath of a tragedy or event. The pain of collective traumatic disorders is common among soldiers who experienced military combat, but has the potential to affect an entire community. Although, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can alter relationships with the family and the community, future generations will not have to endure combat directly to experience collective trauma. Many Veterans suffering from PTSD might shy away from others due to stigmas associated with the diagnosis. Some might have difficulty concentrating, or have guilty feelings, cannot find work, feel helpless, fearful, or have a loss of interest in usual activities. All

The most common treatment options for PTSD consists of psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. Psychotherapy can help victims by teaching them about the trauma and its side effects, using relaxation and anger management skills. It can also assist them with identifying possible guilt and shame about the incident and helping them cope with those emotions. The most common forms of medications used to treat PTSD are Zoloft and Paxil ("NIMH » Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)," n.d.).

The patient and her family did seek treatment originally because of the physical problem but the mental issues were also treated during the inpatient stay. The family acted as the patient’s support system. The stressors observed

Anyone can suffer from PTSD, but more veterans go through events leading to PTSD in comparison to the general population, due to what they have to endure during a deployment. Patients often relive the traumatic event through flashbacks and nightmares. They often have trouble sleeping and separating there self from the traumatic event or events that has taking place in their life (Iribarren, Prolo, Neagos, & Chiappelli, 2005). There are stages as to how PTSD develops. After the person has experienced the traumatic event the often will become estranged and detach themselves from others. They can then suffer from depression, problems with memory and cognition and may turn to substance

If left untreated PTSD can cause severe consequences to those who are diagnosed. Many end up having substance abuse and turn to drugs and alcohol. Some develop anger management issues resulting in outbursts of rage. PTSD can make a person extremely difficult to be around and maintain a relationship

“Treatment for PTSD is usually based on a combination of therapy and medication to manage symptoms”(SocialChoice). Some veterans may be embarrassed to get help. Group therapy is a good option for these people. During “group therapy members of the service talk about the trauma they have been through. They also learn skills to cope or manage their symptoms of PTSD”(military.com). Family and couples therapy is also an

For many war veterans Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or what is better known as PTSD is common. Finding a treatment that is right for someone with this condition can be challenging but not impossible. Despite the circumstances, people who suffer from PTSD should be able to receive the care that is most effective for them to overcome their condition.

A frequent therapeutic option for mildly to moderately affected PTSD patients is group therapy, although empirical support for this is sparse. In such a setting, the PTSD patient can discuss traumatic memories, PTSD symptoms, and functional deficits with others who have had similar experiences. This approach has been most successful with war Veterans, rape/incest victims, and natural disaster survivors. It is important that therapeutic goals be realistic because, in some cases, PTSD is a chronic, complex (e.g., with many comorbid diagnoses and symptoms), and severely debilitating psychiatric disorder that does not always respond to current available treatments. Resick, Nishith, and Griffin (2003) have shown however, that very good outcomes

PTSD is formally known as Post- traumatic Stress Disorder. It can be a very self harming and hurtful disorder. In an article by Melinda Smith, M.A., Lawrence Robinson, and Jeanne Segal they say PTSD is caused by traumatic events that threatened your safety or made you feel helpless. Other causes for PTSD are war, rape, kidnapping, and assault, sudden death of a loved one and much more. Everyone can be get PTSD and it is not just focused on war vets. Based on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affair they state that 8% of the U.S. population will have PTSD at some point in their lives, they also state that 10% of women are more to get it then 4%. There are many different symptoms of PTSD and once they are acknowledged there are ways to treat

Many turn to drugs or alcohol in attempt to calm their anxiety or to get their mind off of whatever they are thinking about. For some the moments of recurring stress result in outbursts of anger or rage, this tends to result in child/spousal abuse or public violence. Because PTSD can make a person extremely difficult to be around and is often undiagnosed, individuals with the disease may end up isolated and alone. Major Depressive Disorder is always a risk with people with PTSD. Many sufferers may demonstrate suicidal thoughts or actions (“What Happens”). These people suffering from PTSD are not receiving the help they need and it is ruining their life. Blake Mays who served in Afghanistan in 2003 returned from war, got diagnosed with PTSD, and has been in and out of rehab more than 20 times. Blake was a military police officer on a tank when the United States invaded Baghdad. He watched 3 of the men on his tank with him be blown to pieces while trying to help an Afghan woman pretending to be injured. After this tragic event his tank stopped for nothing, not babies, children, women, no one. He had to witness these unimaginable horrific things first hand. When Blake returned he coped with his PTSD in the wrong way; he started with alcohol and one thing lead to another. He spent some time in jail

Moreover, the family understands the specifics about the individual's condition and their daily routines. This can help health care professionals to decide if the person is following the proper steps in their therapy. Once this takes place, is the point that health care professionals can make adjustments to reflect changing realities. Those patients, who have their families involved, will be able to receive better care by ensuring that nothing is overlooked. This is the point that physicians will have a more complete picture surrounding their underlying levels of health. (Saleeba, 2009)

I agree with your response concerning the fact that assistance is vital to the recovery of PTSD sufferers. Like you said, it can help teach coping methods that are needed to handle flashbacks, and lessen the symptoms linked to PTSD. Further, an individual may need aid with the restoration of their self-confidence, an important attribute of their life. By receiving assistance, a person with PTSD may be able to improve their situation or alleviate the condition completely. I also agree with the point that you make regarding the impact that PTSD has on those surrounding the individual. For example, you stated that their family members may feel guilt concerning the condition, which is a significant point to discuss because I think that this occurs frequently. You also brought up the idea that family members may feel lonely, since their loved one likely alienates themselves because of