Post Traumatic Growth

There are several different assessments that can be used for victims of trauma to determine the level of stress and if a victim is suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The best results will occur if the clinical work is directed at the symptoms expressed by the resulting trauma. When assessing the treatment plan, “the psychic injury caused by the event and its impact on the survivor’s normal life patterns and his or her worldview must be accounted for” (Everstine & Everstine, 2006, p.161). A person

An individual with a strong social support before and after the traumatic event is likely to have a positive adjustment after the trauma than an individual who has a poor connection and attachment with their social circle. Some studies on heritability of the disorder shows a small hereditary component that predisposes a person to the disorder contributes to increase their probability of exposure to trauma. “For example a hereditary deficit in problem-solving capacity may contribute to higher levels of exposure to potentially traumatic stressors and lower levels of resources to promote recovery following exposure” (Reyes, Elhai, & Ford, p. 259).

Larry Watson suggests that traumatic experiences transform children into adults, and that disturbing experiences lead to changes of mind, growth in morals, and an emerging sense of adulthood.

However, the argument that exposure to traumatic event can always result in mental health problems has become controversial because it can stigmatize those who do not believe they have been affected in an adverse manner. Fortunately, only a small percentage of people experience severe enough lose or trauma reactions to meet the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2000), and most people appear to fully recover from any adverse effect within a relatively short period of time, and to successfully overcome potentially traumatic events with little or no disruption in their normal ability to function (Shalev, 2002). Therefore, it is important to note that “the emergence of interest in the concept of resilience comes at the peak of success of the concept of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), serving as a reminder that

It was not until the 1980’s that the diagnosis of PTSD as we know it today came to be. However, throughout history people have recognized that exposure to combat situations can have profound negative impact on the mind s and bodies of individuals in these situations. But there are other catastrophic events that can have such profound impact on people resulting in PTSD…

This prevalence rate is considerably higher than that of the general population, therefore confirming the theory that trauma occurring in childhood has the ability to play a significant role in the development of mental illness. In addition to broad and generalized findings, they also found specific age groups to be related to specific forms of trauma in terms of what can result in the most detrimental effects. In relation to emotional abuse, it is considered most damaging at ages 6, 14, and 16. Sexual abuse is most harmful at age 12. Non-verbal abuse was found to be more detrimental at age 14 (Schalinksi, 2016). All of these findings also proved to be predictive of the development of PTSD as well as other mental illnesses, such as

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized as a psychological condition in which a person has persistent mental and emotional distress after experiencing a traumatic event. In the United States alone, there is an 8.7% projected lifetime risk for developing PTSD by the age of seventy-five years old. Furthermore, rates of PTSD are commonly higher amongst people whose occupation increases their risk of traumatic exposure. Examples of occupations that increase the risk of traumatic exposure include law enforcement, military personnel, and firefighters. But it is important to note that the highest rates of PTSD are found among survivors of rape and captivity (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Different culture accept trauma in different ways. “Cultural determinants shape and mold our self-identity and identification but also impact our appraisal of events including trauma and extreme stressors, manifestations, of symptoms and course of psychopathological pictures” Ardino, V., & Zaiontz. 2014). Different cultures may have different beliefs. What is traumatic for one culture may be accepted and not cause any trauma for the

The TSI, a 100 item self-report measure of posttraumatic stress and other psych sequelae of traumatic events, takes on a cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic orientation. It is composed at a 5th grade reading level to ensure fairness and clarity to most, and it is fairly quick to take, and to score afterwards. Respondents are asked to rate how often each symptom has happened to them in the past 6 months. They rate the symptoms on a 4 point Likert scale ranging from 0 “never” to 3 “often.” It is composed of 10 clinical scales used to assess the variety of symptom domains related to trauma. The clinical scales are: Anxious Arousal (AA), Depression (D), Anger/Irritability (AI), Intrusive Experience (IE), Defensive Avoidances (DA), Dissociation

Childhood is a time for playdates and learning, a time for big dreams and imaginary adventures. Safety and security should not be questions that linger in uncertainty. However, this is not the case for many children across the globe. Thousands of children from all walks of life each day are faced with unspeakable horror and must deal with the resulting trauma from then on. However, in children, managing this trauma takes a different toll on the mind and heart than it does in adults. While the type of trauma may vary in pervasiveness across countries, trauma occurring in childhood has the ability to cause long term damage to the growing neurological functioning in the brain and negatively influence children’s spiritual development, wounding

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a widespread disorder that affects certain individuals psychologically, behaviorally, and emotionally following the experience of a traumatic event (Lee et al., 2005, p. 135). However, because of inconsistencies regarding the percentage of individuals who experience PTSD and the percentage of individuals who subsequently develop PTSD, researchers hypothesize that both biological and environmental factors contribute to the development of PTSD (Wolf et al. 2010, p. 328). In order gain a better understanding of this disorder and to discover contributing and predicative factors which contribute to the development of PTSD, this paper analyses the historical context and prevalence of PTSD, the

The pervasiveness of these correlations is high and suggesting childhood trauma could play a major role in the psychological health of a person later in adulthood, and there have many studies which have been conducted that could support these theories.

The authors aim to identify the mental and physical risks in late adult life that has been negatively influenced by childhood trauma. There are two purposes of this literature review. Results can help develop support or intervention strategies that foster resilience throughout the life course by investigating the correlation childhood trauma has on older adults’ well being (Maschi et. al., 2013, p. 62). Another purpose is to address the gap in literature that examines the influence traumatic events has on later life health.

These findings were evident when deprived orphans from Romania were adopted to amorous families living in the United Kingdom. Following the adoption, cognitive and physical growth increased. These children had the ability to continue their growth through wise choices, enhanced education, and take advantages of new opportunities (Alvord & Grados, 2005). Finally, Berger (2008) explains “Adversity must be significant. Some adversities are comparatively minor (large class size, poor vision), and some are major (victimization, neglect). Looking at adversity from a humanistic perspective we need to recognize individual differences, such as culture, gender, and emotional experiences. Keep in mind, resilience is not a personality trait, it is a process.

Thompson and colleagues (2009): Physical and sexual abuse was moderately positively correlated with positive symptom severity (especially grandiosity) among ethnic minority participants (N=17), while general trauma was positively correlated with affective symptoms among Caucasian participants (N=13).