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Ptsd Deployion To Afghanistan Case Study

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Upon learning more about Rod and his deployment to Afghanistan, as well as learning about the symptoms that he presents with it was determined by the therapist to give the client the PTSD checklist military version (PCL-M). The PCL-M is a self-reportable measure that is compatible with the symptoms of PTSD outlined in the DSM-V (PTSD Check List-Military Version, 2012). There are 17 items in the PCL-M that have to do with distress from a trauma over the last month (PTSD Check List-Military Version, 2012). The PCL-M uses a five point Likert scale that ranges from 1 being not at all to 5 being extremely (PTSD Check List-Military Version, 2012). Another measure that can used includes the Structured Interview for PTSD (SI-PTSD) (Verstrael, Van …show more content…

The first criteria, being exposed to actual or threatened death is met by Rod’s combat deployment to Afghanistan and witnessing battle buddies die as well as the shooting of the boy. The second criteria, intrusive symptoms, is met by Rod’s flashbacks and constant nightmares. The third criteria, avoidance of trauma related stimuli, is met because Rod is constantly avoiding his son as he is reminded of the boy that he shot. The fourth criteria, “negative alterations in cognitions and mood,” is met by feeling guilty and blaming himself for the death of the young boy as well as being detached from his family (APA, 2013). Finally, the fifth criteria is met because the client is experiencing irritability and angry outbursts towards his wife and son with little or no provocation. With this information, it is recommended to continue on with EMDR.
Treatment Plan Compared to both pharmaceuticals and other forms of psychotherapy, EMDR has proven to be effective in the treatment of PTSD (Shapiro, 2002). There have been approximately twenty controlled studies that proved this (Shapiro, & Laliotis, 2010). EMDR has been recommended as a first line of treatment including by the American Psychiatric Association (Shapiro, & Laliotis, 2010). EMDR uses bilateral stimulation such as auditory tones, tactile taps and

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