Psychiatic Disorders: A Literature Review

They also found that childhood sexual abuse was the most common trauma that lead to PTSD symptoms. These findings are in line with previous research on this topic or similar topics to this one. Although childhood sexual assault was the common, the authors noted that being stalked and being threatened produces the most severe symptoms of PTSD in the regression equation. Another finding that was consistent with previous research is that sudden death of a loved one was a traumatic even experienced more frequently by the participants. Even though this was a very diverse group in terms of ethnicity, it still found that men experienced robbery and stranger assault more frequently than women. These findings are also consistent with other research. The authors expressed that because the diagnoses were not based on research-based diagnoses but from clinical charts it may not be as reliable. They also noted that there may be some groups that were not represented in the study, such as those living with SMI in the inner

Anxiety disorders may be assessed using the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders [SCARED-C] (Birmaher et al., 2003). PTSD may be assessed using a variety of methods such as Structured Clinical Interview [SCI], the Diagnostic Interview Schedule [DIS], and the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale [CAPS] (cited in DeNigris, 2008). PTSD is a debilitating state that can develop from traumatic events (Marsh, 2008) . In a recent study conducted by Madigan and colleagues (2015) they state that Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy [TF-CBT] is

Between February 2001 and April 2003, many were completed by approximately 9,282 Americans, 18 years of age or above, completed a survey that was conducted by The National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). According to The National Comorbidity Survey Replication study, 5,692 Americans were diagnosed with PTSD. However, this research used the DSM-4 criteria. It was estimated that the lifetime prevalence was about 6.8% for Americans in young adulthood. This was a jump from the previous year at 3.5%. The lifetime prevalence for women was higher, at 9.7%, than it was for men at 3.6%. “Kessler, R.C., Berglund, P., Delmer, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K.R., & Walters, E.E. (2005).”

However, Diaz and Motta focused their study on adolescent participants and on PTSD. For this study, participants were between the ages of 14 and 17 and were all female from a residential treatment facility that met the criteria for PTSD (Diaz & Motta, 2008). The researchers used the following self-report inventories to measure the level of PTSD: (a) Child PTSD Symptom Scale [CPSS] (Foa, Johnson, Feeny, & Treadwell, 2001), (b) Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children [TSCC] (Briere, 1996), (c) Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children [MASC] (March, 1997), (d) Children’s Depression Inventory [CDI] (Kovacs, 1992) (Diaz & Motta, 2008).

Ian is a 5 year old Caucasian male that exhibits average verbal skills, average cognitive skills, and appeared to be of average height and weight. When entering his assessment, it was noted that his clothing did not match, his hair was unkempt and his mother seemed frazzled at best.

those who suffered the worst cases of PTSD had sustained stressful and traumatic childhood abuse. In the study, two groups of

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

DSM-IV-TR- is the official classification system of mental disorders used by counselors, psychologist, social workers, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals in the United States. It is used across settings (inpatient, outpatient, partial hospital, private practice and primary care) and with community populations. (Drummond, 2010). The DSM-5 is a very complex assessment where counselors are required to have extensive preparation in the understanding of mental disorders, certain factors can take in place when administering this test and errors can be made such as misdiagnosing or over diagnosing if not properly administered.

Anger, Anxiety, Depression. The Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC) is a 54-item self-report scale for ages 8-16. This scale is used to measure anger, anxiety, depression, and a number of other attitudes and feelings. The respondent is asked questions about having experienced traumatic events, such as physical or sexual abuse, major loss, or natural disasters. (Gratz & Roemer,

At least 50% of all adults and children are exposed to a psychologically traumatic event (such as a life-threatening assault or accident, humanmade or natural disaster, or war). As many as 67% of trauma survivors experience lasting psychosocial impairment, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); panic, phobic, or generalized anxiety disorders; depression; or substance abuse.(Van der Kolk, et al, 1994) Symptoms of PTSD include persistent involuntary re-experiencing of traumatic distress, emotional numbing and detachment from other people, and hyperarousal (irritability, insomnia, fearfulness, nervous agitation). PTSD is linked to structural neurochemical changes in the central nervous system which may have a direct

Adolescents exposed to a traumatic event are predisposed to high-risk behaviors that range from “serious mental and physical health problems” (Bright, 2008, p. 18). Substance and chemical dependency, sexual activity, severe despondency, and suicide are just a few examples of maladaptive coping skills adolescents discover as a means of managing overwhelming emotions (Bright, 2008). Evidence suggests adolescents who think about how the trauma could have been prevented may suffer from extreme guilt. Untreated maladaptive behavior can become lethal toward others or themself.

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 key concept of this literature review is to better understand how childhood trauma is associated with mental health, such as post-traumatic stress disorder

Physical well-being is assumed to be directly associated with the mental and behavioural well-being of an individual. It is commonly noted that people adopt difficult and irritating behaviour once they are not in perfect state of physical health. The root cause of depression is often attributed to disturbed situation one is facing. However, it may not be valid in all cases.

Currently, trauma experiences among CHR individuals are identified through a number of screening tools (e.g., Brief Trauma Questionnaire; PTSD Checklist; UCLA Reaction Index; Child Posttraumatic Symptom Scale). While there are various assessment measures and clinical interviews (e.g., SCID-5) that facilitate the identification of trauma in mental health settings, there is currently no standardized protocol in trauma evaluation for CHR groups. It is important to be able to identify what specific type of trauma or adverse life event has been experienced in order to effectively target the problem in treatment.