...The Effects of Trauma on Clients and Mental Health Counselors Examples of Trauma: For this assignment we were asked to conceptualize two traumatic events to use as examples. One man-made or natural disaster and one personal trauma. The man-made disaster I choose is a mass shooting at a college campus. The personal trauma I choose is a car accident with a family of four which leaves the father dead, but the mother and two children survive. Potential Effects on Survivors: For the survivors of the campus shooting this event may be very traumatizing. A number of survivors may experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Human-caused mass disasters can leave survivors felling vulnerable and questioning their safety in the world. (Shallcross, 2012). The surviving auto accident family members left without a husband and father are going to have to deal with grief and loss. The wife may need to cope with overwhelming responsibility and the children may feel anger and a sense of abandonment. Potential Effects on First Responders: One possible effect on first responders to the scene of both the campus shooting and the family auto accident may be Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). STS presents itself much like PTSD and is caused by viewing others suffer trauma (Baird & Kracen, 2006). The first responders at both trauma sites can be effected greatly even if only at the scene for a short time. According to Baird & Kracen (2006) "the precipitating experience(s)...
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...March 5th, 2015 When one is witness to trauma through listening to another’s traumatic experience, emotional reactions of confusion and turmoil can be evoked. This is otherwise known as secondary trauma. Secondary trauma is referred to a range of potential reactions one can have when engaged in assisting someone who is traumatized by an experience. Clinicians need to gauge what are healthy and normal responses when hearing another person’s trauma and what is considered as “compassion fatigue” or “secondary traumatic stress” or “vicarious traumatization” or “secondary traumatic stress disorder or countertransference. When exposed to this type of trauma, people need to identify and deal with their own emotional reactions and how this relates to their own experiences. As well as modulate their feelings and organize their thinking (Geller, Madsen, & Ohrenstein, 2004). The capacity to empathize, to feel with another person is the focal point of psychotherapy (McCann & Pearlman, 1990). That being the case, clinicians need to learn how to think clearly, modulate their emotions, feel effective when working with clients and maintain help that they are going to be effective. But, if the clinician is put into these states of stress by virtue of listening to others, they may feel inclined to withdraw from their clients (Geller et. al, 2004). When creating a psychotherapeutic relationship between a therapist and a client one approach that is considered as compatible with our...
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...spouse having PTSD include, divorce, marital unhappiness, and domestic violence. The symptoms PTSD including isolation, numbing and hyperarousal are correlated with the increase marital problems. Another marital stressor could be a veteran not feeling like their partners cannot understand their feelings of grief, anxiety and anger after experiencing a trauma. This in turn may make partners feel their efforts to help are often rejected. According to Sayers, “when a marriage is strained, the veteran lacks the social supports needed to overcome some of the problems e.g., depression, anxiety, etc. that are exacerbating the marital discord” (2009). Families with a veteran who has PTSD also experience more family violence. As previously mentioned, anger and outbursts are one of the diagnostic criteria’s for PTSD. According to Taft and Niles, veterans with PTSD are at a higher risk for anger, hostility, aggression, general violence, and relationship violence then veterans without PTSD. Veterans with PTSD from combat...
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...of PTSD may appear immediately or it may appear years later. Even though they may not be present for the traumatic event, family members and significant others such as spouses can be affected indirectly and can also develop certain behaviors. PTSD is commonly characterized by flashbacks and recurrent dreams; sudden irritability and outbursts toward another person without any obvious or known reasons; and restlessness or difficulty sleeping and concentrating. (Neeb, page 169) Traumatic experiences such as witnessing the death of a loved one, being sexually abused or assaulted, being exposed to a war, and being involved in a devastating accident can all cause PTSD. The likelihood of a person developing PTSD is based on the intensity of the trauma. According to the National Institute of Health, once PTSD has developed, women are more prone to experience chronic symptoms of this disorder compared to men. PTSD not only affects the person directly involved in the traumatic situation, but it can also affect people indirectly through exposure to a devastating event. I have recently experienced a very traumatic situation that had caused some early signs of PTSD. My cousin, John, was recently murdered in the comfort of his own home. His wife found him dead after returning from work one evening. Originally we were told by investigators that he was killed during an in home robbery. When I first heard of the news, I was really devastated. That same night, I started experiencing nightmares...
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...Suppositions I have chosen to examine the following two suppositions: trauma as a major cause of addiction and the War on Drugs as an abject failure. I decided to discuss these suppositions because I have worked with several clients diagnosed with substance use disorders that report extensive histories of primary and secondary trauma. Many of the clients had similar stories to that of some of the Edgewater homeless that they grew up in environments where drugs, alcohol, and sex work were present on a daily basis. I decided to discuss the War on Drugs an an abject failure because as an African American, I see how the War on Drugs has disproportionately impacted the African American population in such a negative way. I am also eager to gain...
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...LITERATURE REVIEW Literature Review – Trauma Felt by a Counselor Marie C Klemens Walsh University Abstract The purpose of this research is to identify that a counselor can be a victim of trauma, as well as their client. By taking care of oneself in a physical, mental and spiritual manner, they are preparing for a potentially well maintained professional life as a counselor. Knowledge and acceptance of these traumatic occurrences, is the first part of healing. The literature that I had obtained provided the reader, with great knowledge pertaining to the subject matter of vicarious traumatization and counter transference. By identifying both of these subjects as different forms of trauma, I also learned that they have similar qualities. With the knowledge that I am basing this research on and further exploration of this subject matter, counselors can be more prepared for their future. Literature Review - Trauma Felt by a Counselor The counseling profession is based on the realism as a powerful, but yet private relationship between a counselor and a client, but with ethics being a factor, all efforts are centered on being impartial and having good intentions (Jaffe & Diamond, 2011). Because of the tight relationship between a counselor and his or her client, it is humanly impossible that a client and a counselor will not endure feelings and reactions towards each other (Jaffe & Diamond, 2011). Trauma is the occurrence in which an individual is confronted...
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...* Select two examples of trauma-causing events to use for this assignment: * one man-made or natural disaster 9/11/01 * one more personal trauma-causing crisis Rape * Explain the potential effects these events may have on the survivors and the first responders. * Explain how the counselor’s role may differ in treating a survivor of each of the traumas you selected and how they may differ in treating a first responder to each of the traumas. * Explain how a mental health counselor could develop VT or STS in each of these traumatic events. * the belief in personal invulnerability that allows one to use public transportation at night, or the belief that the world is an orderly place, are challenged by the stories and experiences relayed to persons who practice counseling or psychotherapy with survivors of trauma. * first identified the problem of vicarious traumatization (VT), which they defined as the cumulative transformative effects upon therapists resulting from empathic engagement with traumatized clients. As part of their work, these clinicians must listen to graphically detailed de-scriptions of horrific events and bear witness to the psychological (and sometimes physical) aftermath of acts of intense cruelty and/or violence.The cumulative experience of this kind of empathic engagement can have deleterious effects upon clinicians, who may experience physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms similar to those of their traumatized...
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...Risk Factors: The risk factors of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are the frequency and possibility of being exposed to traumatic events such as war, domestic violence, natural disaster, violence, sexual trauma. The factors mentioned can cause post-traumatic stress disorder especially if the trauma is not easily escapable. Hyland P. et al states, ICD-11 proposals suggest that trauma exposure which is prolonged and/or repeated, or consists of multiple forms, that also occurs under circumstances where escape from the trauma is difficult or impossible (e.g., childhood abuse) will confer greater risk for CPTSD as compared to PTSD. (Hyland, P., Murphy, J., Shelvin, M., et al, 2017). As with the film mentioned that caused me to pick this specific...
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...Asian Institute of Maritime Studies Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City Effects of Behavioral Trauma Selected Third Year Marine Transportation Students A Research Paper presented to The Faculty of Marine Transportation Department Asian Institute of Maritime Studies In partial Fulfillment Of requirements for the Course Research and Report Writing (English 313) By: Cruz, Jamille G. Faustino, John Dave T. Doctor, Prince Henry N. Miole, Annie Marie L. Castillo, Precious Joy R. March 2016 CHAPTER 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION According to Judith Lewis Herman said, “After a traumatic experience, the human system of self-preservation seems to go onto permanent alert, as if the danger might return at any moment.” This study helps us to understand the situation of the particular seafarer that has an unconditional experience onboard that marks as a traumatic incident on their life. Basic preparation towards this kind of situation or incidents can be learned from school and it might be a guide for the student so that if they go onboard the ship, they must be physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared. A person may experience trauma onboard ship for many reasons: they might have been experience such as fire onboard ship, piracy, and collision. Piracy is one of the most dangerous and life-threatening incident that causes a larger effect...
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...and occupational outcomes for children exposed to war-trauma. The above article expresses the research and findings of this study under multiple variables. The Gulf crisis of Kuwait (1990-1991) is the war-exposure that the 151 Kuwait participants experienced. It is hypothesized that war trauma in children will have a negative effect on their educational and occupational outcome. In order for the research to be conducted, because to know knowledge a study such as this has not been performed before, a test had to be established. To measure the trauma, a test used to measure trauma after a natural disaster was chosen. It was utilized to be remodel for this case...
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...How trauma affects clients and counselors David Whetzel Walden University Abstract Trauma can affect anyone from first responders, to clients and counselors. Trauma can be caused by a natural disaster like a hurricane and tornadoes, to floods and draught. Trauma can also be manmade such as a terrorist attack or even spousal and rape. These traumatic experiences can cause depression, anxiety, fear, and vulnerability. Traumatic events can happen at any time and any place, and it can take a toll on the people that experienced the traumatic event, and take a toll on the counselors that are helping those who went through that traumatic event. How trauma affects clients and counselors Oklahoma tornado May 20, 2013 A tornado with winds speeds of 200 mph, with a 12 mile wide path made its way through Oklahoma City May 20, 2013. It destroyed homes, and damaged two elementary schools. The devastation of the tornado not only destroyed homes and schools, but it also killed 22 people (worldvision.org). This event caused city wide panic and despair. This caused considerable stress, anxiety, and grief for the victims and first responders because of all the devastation, and because of the citizens losing loved ones in the tornado. Suicide of a friend and loved one My friend Jim committed suicide on November 30, 2013 just two days after Thanksgiving. There was a lot of shock, questions that couldn’t be answered on why he did it, and sadness. There was a lot of confusion, especially...
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...Abstract Addictions covers a range of maladaptive traits to include substance use, alcohol or behavior leading to significant impairments. There are various causes of addiction, but some theoretical frameworks indicates that addictions may have a genetic component that leads to a predisposition to develop addiction, a disease model of addiction or as the result of self-medicating of a primary disorder. This paper will take a theoretical view of the causes of addiction as well as developing a working definition of addiction. Causes of Addiction There are numerous theories regarding addiction and the causes of addiction; however, for the purpose of this paper we will discuss three areas or models of addiction as it relates to substance and alcohol related abuse. Before delving into the causes of addiction we will develop an understanding of what addiction is and what it is not by viewing a few theories and definitions of addiction. We will also develop an understanding of what constitute a diagnosis of addiction and causes one to develop an addiction in the context of genetic predisposition, disease and the prevalence of addiction among individuals with co-occurring disorders stemming from traumatic experiences such as childhood abuse. Addiction Defining addiction is not a simplistic task as there are many theories and definitions of addiction and how addiction develops. In Drugs and addiction: an Introduction to Epigenetics, Wong...
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...Personal Reflection Paper BSHS/345 November 10, 2014 Personal Reflection Paper Invidious comparison and vicarious traumatization are two very real concepts in life. However, when working in the human service field, both concepts must be controlled to avoid negative outcomes. This paper will describe two concepts and how each has played a part in my life. The first concept of discussion is invidious comparison. The second topic of discussion will focus on vicarious traumatization. Aside from how both concepts have affected me personally, I will examine strategies that can help me avoid vicarious traumatization as a human service worker. The first concept of discussion is invidious comparison. According to Merriam-Webster (2014), invidious comparison is defined as “tending to cause discontent, animosity or envy”. In other words, invidious comparison is when a person compares themselves to others by class, religion, sex, and race. While this concept occurs to everyone, and seems to be a normal part of human nature, negative ramifications such as poor self-esteem, depression, and stress may result if not directed in the correct manner. The concept of invidious comparison is one I can relate to well. For many years, I used to compare myself to those who had more money that I did. While I am ashamed to admit how shallow I was, this comparison brought me into a state of depression. It was during my depressed mode that I realized that I needed to take control of...
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...Vicarious Trauma on Mental Health Counselors Secret Scott Walden University Dr. Johnathan Lent In March, 2011, those people living in Japan experienced the devastation and impact of an earthquake and tsunami which ended in the result of causing nearly 20, 000 deaths. The tragedy caused those individuals whom survived to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression amongst the Japanese. Not only did the Japanese population suffer but the effects and devastation was felt in other environments as well, such as Hawaii. Hawaii underwent a substantial amount of collateral damage which caused anxiety to run rampant amongst Hawaii’s population. This sort of traumatic situation and disaster would truly be the cause of mental disorders such as anxiety, PTSD and depression (Satcher, Friel, & Bell, 2007). Mental health counselors could experience indirect trauma from their clients they are treating that has experienced traumatic affects, this is known as vicarious trauma (Baird & Kracen, 2006; Harrison & Westwood, 2009). Vicarious trauma can be experienced though direct or indirect acquaintance from the traumatic occurrence. VT happens to only those counselors working specifically with trauma victims and survivors (McCann & Pearlman, 1990). VT has a unique progression. Vicarious trauma happens progressively (McCann & Pearlman, 1992; Pearlman & Saakvitne, 1995a). This theory suggests those suffering from VT build their realism through the growth...
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...Personal Reflection Paper Personal Reflection Paper Invidious comparison is a harmful correlation that demonstration one’s individual view of others as indicated by another as per their class, race, sex, or religion. This is a negative practice to adapt to. I work daily trying to redirect my mind from comparing myself to others; it is human nature to have these thoughts. I have notice when I do compare myself to others I become sad because I have not reach the level of their success and the flip side to this is I never compare myself to anyone less fortunate than me. No one win at comparing themselves to others. The direction I have taken to stop invidious comparing myself to other are concentrating on my own beauty. I have created a habit in tell myself how beautiful I am every time I look in the mirror. I made a short and long term list to help me keep up with my progress. Watching my list advance keeps me center on and therefore, I can see my growth. These habits have helped me to appreciate who I am. I enjoy writing in my journal several days a week it helps to shift the atmosphere from comparing myself to other. A saying I like to quote is “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you”. To me, that quote is telling me to be kind to other people and help them. If this is done I won’t have time to compare myself to anyone. Last, I stay focus on the positive things I do in helping other and this help me to appreciate what is positive in me. The definition of vicarious...
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