What constitutes a psychological disorder is the first step to finding an understanding. However, the complex perception of what is normal versus abnormal, both behavioral and cognitive, that results in distress, are the defining factors (Cacioppo & Freberg, 2013). In essence, if a person is unable to function in the important areas, properly meet and care for their own needs, or have an increased risk of danger to their self or others, this is observed as abnormal and establishes there may be a psychological disorder. With this in mind, PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is the only psychological disorder that lists the specified cause in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (Cacioppo & Freberg, 2013,
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Flashbacks, nightmares, extreme anxiety, sleep disturbances, or avoidance of any provocation of the traumatic events, are all symptoms of PTSD. Children may reenact the trauma in their play or may exhibit aggressive behaviors (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2015). Some may have memory lapses of the traumatic events. However, it is possible for triggers such as smells to cause a break; therefore, they are avoided at all costs (Cacioppo & Freberg, 2013). There are biological explanations behind PTSD that are being investigated such as the link between PTSD and a person’s hippocampus. The hippocampus size may have a major role in determining a person’s susceptibility to the …show more content…
Exposure therapy is one method of treatment. It allows the patient to relive or re-witness the trauma while sitting in a comfortable setting (Freberg, 2014). In some instances, mild medication is necessary. For the most part, cognitive-behavioral therapy is successful in treating patients with PTSD. This therapy teaches patients ways to grasp their triggers are unprecedented and they are not in danger, as well as give them behavior outlets that produce the “feel good” feelings in a positive manner (Cacioppo & Freberg, 2013). For children, play therapy is another form of treatment (Philo, 2013). This treatment should be done with a skilled therapist. It allows the child to act out his/her trauma and openly express their feeling of the trauma through play, all while under the supervision of a therapist teaching the child ways to cope through those emotions. PTSD affects people in a variety of ways and the successful treatment option for each patient may vary; in my experience, while the triggers may always be there, the treatment does not erase the trauma, it just helps you cope so you may continue to live life
Flashbacks, nightmares, extreme anxiety, sleep disturbances, or avoidance of any provocation of the traumatic events, are all symptoms of PTSD. Children may reenact the trauma in their play or may exhibit aggressive behaviors (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2015). Some may have memory lapses of the traumatic events. However, it is possible for triggers such as smells to cause a break; therefore, they are avoided at all costs (Cacioppo & Freberg, 2013). There are biological explanations behind PTSD that are being investigated such as the link between PTSD and a person’s hippocampus. The hippocampus size may have a major role in determining a person’s susceptibility to the …show more content…
Exposure therapy is one method of treatment. It allows the patient to relive or re-witness the trauma while sitting in a comfortable setting (Freberg, 2014). In some instances, mild medication is necessary. For the most part, cognitive-behavioral therapy is successful in treating patients with PTSD. This therapy teaches patients ways to grasp their triggers are unprecedented and they are not in danger, as well as give them behavior outlets that produce the “feel good” feelings in a positive manner (Cacioppo & Freberg, 2013). For children, play therapy is another form of treatment (Philo, 2013). This treatment should be done with a skilled therapist. It allows the child to act out his/her trauma and openly express their feeling of the trauma through play, all while under the supervision of a therapist teaching the child ways to cope through those emotions. PTSD affects people in a variety of ways and the successful treatment option for each patient may vary; in my experience, while the triggers may always be there, the treatment does not erase the trauma, it just helps you cope so you may continue to live life