Trauma can be said to be experiences that happen above normal human occurrences. Trauma makes an individual to feel vulnerable, insecure, paralyzed, and even weak. It is an overwhelming feeling that has the power to control a person. People who are traumatized may not be able to think clearly and one center on oneself to try and come to terms with their condition they are going through. Trauma victims spend most of the time trying to figure how they would have done things differently. Some examples of traumatic events include rape, child abuse, fire, hurricanes as well as war (Briere, & Scott, 2006).
John Briere and Catherine Scott mention various symptoms that patients of trauma may experience. Mood or even emotional disorders which can be caused by stressful events and causing the patient to feel a loss of security and vulnerable. Panic disorder, fear as well as generalized anxiety disorder where the patient is always worried that something terrible can happen anytime. Depression is another symptom of trauma and can be accompanied by psychosis where the patient is not able to associate with reality.
Post- Traumatic stress disorder is another common symptom for victims of trauma. Here the patient has disturbing memories and thus one has to constantly keep trying to avoid such memories as well as having regular state of staying alert. This condition can keep the patient depressed at being unable to control their fear and anxiety (Briere, & Scott, 2006).
Other common symptoms include dissociation where patients keep away from all disturbing situations that caused the trauma. This condition can sometimes lead to amnesia and the patient forgets everything. Tension reduction behaviors are also very common and bring about disturbing behaviors to the patient. These may include drug abuse and violence behaviors especially among the youth. Young girls may also engage in sexual activates trying to get security from their sexual partners. Emotional dysregulation is common and the patient experiences changes in their mood often and being irritable all the time. One may result in becoming very angry and hence destroy things and cursing all the time. These traumatic symptoms need special treatment to allow the individuals to have a managed and capable living (Briere, & Scott, 2006).
Briere and Scott have suggested that therapist should use trauma evaluation methods like Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Second Edition (MMPI-2) and PAI Personal Assessment Inventory (PAI). The MMPI-2 and PAI evaluates extensive range of psychological problems like depression, panic disorders and traumatic stress disorders. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder scales are good in assessment of this disorder.
They are especially efficient in children and adolescents to determine how they have been traumatized by various events. They also recommend Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) in assessment of severe and chronic posttraumatic problems like rape, domestic violence as well as natural calamities. Various cases of child abuse as well as other early conditions of traumatic problems. Detailed Assessment of Posttraumatic Stress (DAPS) can be used to evaluate an adult history experience of traumatic events. This test can be able to evaluate the current psychological responses either emotional or cognitive in continuing posttraumatic problems (Briere, & Scott, 2006).
Briere and Scott suggested various methods that therapists can use to treat trauma. The methods are for both current as well as persistent posttraumatic problems. Emotional processing is very necessary where the therapist centers on emotional conflicts that are as a result of traumatic exposure. The therapist should be calm to listen to the events thus giving the patient self-esteem. In this way, the patient will have the facility to manage powerful emotions and thus the therapist will help understand feelings of rejection and abreaction. Therapist should promote expression with the patient and at the same time offer psychoeducation. This will promote active relatedness between the therapist and the patient and therefore help the patient get in touch with one’s emotions (Briere, & Scott, 2006).
Cognitive behavior therapy is very necessary to assist the patient connect with reality especially with patients suffering from psychosis. Here exposure method is applied to quicken reassessment of cognitions. The therapist normalizes the situation the patient went through to help them connect with their feelings. When dealing with patients of torture the therapist should create and recreate a safe environment.
The cultural differences should be addressed and the therapist should be sensitive to the culture. Understanding the real situation of the patient is very important. The therapist should be able to help the patient connect with the traumatic events in order for the recovery process to be possible. The level of treatment should be given depending on the type of traumatic event the patient underwent or is undergoing (Briere, & Scott, 2006).
Conclusion
Briere and Scott have done a wide range of research on stages of trauma. Much of their work is done based on the patient and type of work they have been engaged. Trauma is very common to many people and the necessary measures of evaluation ad treatment are necessary. Treatment of the patients depends on the type of traumatic exposure an individual experiences. Scott and Briere have been able to put down the whole process a systematic way in order to help trauma patients. Therapist should be able to follow the right treatment information and procedure in order to help their patients achieve full recovery (Briere, & Scott, 2006).
Reference:
Briere, J., & Scott, C. (2006). Principles of trauma therapy: A guide to symptoms, evaluation and treatment. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.