Trauma: Treatment and Recovery General Issues Term Paper

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Updated: Jan 11th, 2024

The health status of an individual is determined by a number of factors. One of them is their general state of ‘wellness’. In this regard, all the physiological and psychological aspects of human health come into play (Herman, 1997). Trauma is one of the determinants of an individual’s wellbeing. Traumatic experiences are viewed as emotional responses to chaotic encounters. Herman (1997) points out that knowledge on how to treat trauma should be made widely available. The aim is to ensure that past emotional experiences do not negatively affect the current health status of an individual.

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The current essay is written against the background of trauma, its treatment, and recovery. In the paper, the author outlines basic information on the subject matter. Herman (1997) argues that primary caregivers should be armed with knowledge on the nature of this condition to help them effectively manage a wide array of psychological health conditions. To this end, the author of this paper highlights the general issues surrounding trauma and recovery. The various treatment considerations are also outlined. The discussion revolves around the psychological well-being of an individual.

Trauma: Analyzing Contributing Factors

Different health conditions are brought about by a variety of, among others, social, economic, physical, and physiological factors. Traumatic experiences can be evaluated from the perspective of these elements. The condition progresses through a number of phases. Resick (2001) points out that a clear understanding of trauma and recovery can be achieved with the help of the associated factors.

Pre-traumatic factors

Traumatic experiences are a result of emotional destabilization of an individual’s state of mind. Resick (2001) points out that major disasters in the life of an individual may trigger these occurrences. However, the condition can also emanate from a series of subconscious elements that the person may not be aware of. In light of this, pre-traumatic factors bring about the element of ‘undercurrent’ trauma. Bomyea, Risbrough, and Lang (2012) conducted a study to examine pre-traumatic factors that are seen to contribute towards post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Bomyea et al. (2012) based their study on the hypothesis that the risk factors associated with the development of this condition are heightened by vulnerability in relation to biological and cognitive elements.

It is noted that pre-trauma factors are closely linked to the biological and cognitive aspects of an individual. The study by Bomyea et al. (2012) found that the most common of these elements emerge from biological issues. For instance, the scholars argue that molecular genetics framework plays a significant role in the onset of the condition. Serotonin and catecholamine are some of the biological factors contributing towards trauma. In light of this, it becomes clear that pre-trauma conditions should be analyzed to provide caretakers and other stakeholders with a broad spectrum of probable causes of trauma. Bomyea et al. (2012) argue that knowledge on these factors provides caregivers with the skills needed to help clients.

Peri-traumatic factors

Trauma can emerge as a result of a destabilizing event that has just taken place in the life of an individual. For instance, the sudden demise of a close relation can lead to distress and suffering. Peri-traumatic experiences are the immediate responses to prevailing emotional disturbances. In their study, Breh and Seidler (2008) evaluated peri-trauma factors from the perspective of PTSD. The two scholars concluded that peri-traumatic dissociation heightens the effects of PTSD on the life of the individual.

Post-traumatic factors

PTSD is the most common condition resulting from emotional distress. Bomyea et al. (2012) found that gender, age, and family history were key contributors to PTSD. In this regard, post-traumatic factors include medical conditions and social interactions. Knowledge on these elements was found to improve the management and care of patients with PTSD (Breh & Seidler, 2008).

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Coping with Trauma

Trauma emerges from events that bring about emotional distress. In this regard, primary caregivers and patients require information on how to cope with this condition. Bomyea et al. (2012) argue that PTSD, which is a terminal traumatic condition, requires certain levels of care. To this end, the best way of coping with trauma involves evaluating the physical and emotional reactions exhibited by the individual. Patients suffering from this condition exhibit symptoms like headaches, constipation, and lowered immunity (Herman, 1997). The signs should be monitored closely.

A psychological angle can be taken when evaluating the techniques needed to cope with trauma. According to Bomyea et al. (2007), a support system provides the patients with an opportunity to share their pain. Physical exercises are also essential when it comes to the management of the condition. Breh and Seidler (2008) found that the wellbeing of patients suffering from PTSD increased every time they engaged in a relaxing activity, such as yoga. Other coping techniques include prayers and meditation.

Trauma and Safety

The safety of patients suffering from trauma must be guaranteed. In this regard, caregivers are required to take part in a number of best practices to safeguard the wellbeing of individuals who have experienced trauma. According to Resick (2001), the patients should be protected from further harm. For instance, the individuals are advised to keep warm in cases where shock is identified as one of the symptoms associated with the traumatic experience.

Trauma and Self-Efficacy

Patients who are taken through therapy for trauma are equipped with the skills needed to manage their experiences. According to Breh and Seidler (2008), self-efficacy ensures that the patients effectively engage in interactions. The goal can be realized by asking the individual to try taking part in a new activity. Separately, Bomyea et al. (2012) found that the self-efficacy of patients with PTSD improved when they focused on their talents. Traumatic experiences are effectively managed when individuals are allowed to explore their various talents.

Post-Traumatic Growth

Post-traumatic growth is used to evaluate the treatment of trauma. According to Herman (1997), this aspect can be described as the positive psychological change meant to provide emotional support to an individual. In this regard, post-traumatic growth is associated with the individual’s ability to interact with others in a constructive manner. For instance, patients with PTSD are helped to gain creative skills to improve their emotional standings.

General Treatment Conditions

Common Factors across Treatments

Strategies used to treat different medical conditions are developed from existing techniques. With regards to this, the ‘common factors of treatment’ for trauma must take into consideration the universal symptoms of the condition (Breh & Seidler, 2008). For instance, when patients complain of emotional distress due to a painful past, the caregiver should consider counseling. Other common factors include the personal profile and medical history of the patient.

Diagnosis

As previously mentioned, PTSD is the most common form of trauma. However, Resick (2001) points out that there are other cases where patients exhibit complex trauma. In both instances, diagnosis requires an evaluation of the symptoms presented by the individuals. For instance, PTSD is diagnosed when a patient exhibits extreme mental instabilities, such as disturbing dreams. Complex trauma emerges in cases where the patients have experienced prolonged emotional distress. In light of this, the diagnosis must outline the type of trauma and its severity. Chronicity comes into play when the caregiver is establishing the ideal treatment framework.

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Personal Profile and Treatment of Trauma

Treating trauma is informed by the personal and biometric information provided by the patient. For instance, the study by Bomyea et al. (2012) found that PTSD is common among individuals between the ages of 45 and 50. Consequently, a personal profile is provided to establish the nature of the treatment required.

Expectancies

Treatment of patients suffering from trauma is carried out with certain aspects of foresight. For instance, Breh and Seidler (2008) argue that most PTSD patients seek treatment to mitigate their symptoms. However, the lack of a cure implies that specific therapies are required to develop criteria for the management of signs. Consequently, the expectancies of trauma treatment focus on symptom management.

Conclusion

Trauma is a psychological response to sudden or recurrent emotional distress. In this paper, the author evaluated general information pertaining to this condition. The information in this paper will provide caregivers with facts regarding traumatic experiences. It is noted that the information pertaining to treatment of this condition calls for further research on strategies that can be used to handle patients with chronic trauma.

References

Bomyea, J., Risbrough, V., & Lang, A. (2012). A consideration of select pre-trauma factors as key vulnerabilities in PTSD, Clinical Psychology Review, 32(7), 630-641. Web.

Breh, D., & Seidler, G. (2008). Is peri-traumatic dissociation a risk factor for PTSD?. Journal of Trauma Dissociation, 8(1), 53-69. Web.

Herman, J. (1997). Trauma and recovery. New York: Basic Books. Web.

Resick, P. (2001). Stress and trauma. Oxford: Psychology Press. Web.

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IvyPanda. 2024. "Trauma: Treatment and Recovery General Issues." January 11, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/trauma-treatment-and-recovery-general-issues/.

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