Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is among the most debilitating mental health conditions. PTSD is triggered by a terrifying or traumatizing event in an individual’s life, whether as a result of witnessing or experiencing it. The common symptoms associated with the mental health condition include severe anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and uncontrollable thoughts regarding the traumatizing event. Ann Don’s PTSD is a result of a continuous abusive relationship that has lasted for eight years. Based on the DSM-5 criteria, Ann qualifies to be classified as a patient with PTSD. First, she has directly experienced a traumatic event in the shape of an abusive relationship. The duration of her experiences has existed one month as stipulated in the criteria. The patient’s psychological disturbances do not emanate from other aspects such as alcohol, medication, or an additional medical condition (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Throughout her illness period, Ann has exhibited recurrent and involuntary distressful memories including the flashbacks associated with her traumatic event. The DSM-5 manual also asserts that patients with PTSD continuously avoid external reminders that arouse the distressing thoughts and memories (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Similarly, Ann always attempts to stay away from anything that reminds her of the years she has spent in her abusive relationship.
Based on this week’s learning resources, the three interventions that could best work for Ann include exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT), and psychotherapy. Exposure therapy remains one of the most popular methods of treating PTSD. The treatment requires the patient to emphasize and provide details of their traumatic experience. The therapist helps the patient to confront their fears with the hope that they will develop the coping skills and do away with the stress and anxiety (Wilson, 2012). In the case of Ann, this might involve getting her to speak about her abusive relationship and opening up about the details of her trauma. CBT, on the other hand, will focus on eliminating unhelpful thinking patterns. Patients with PTSD can be asked to re-evaluate their patterns of thinking to improve their behaviors. For Ann, CBT will focus on removing the distortions and the unhealthy mental patterns that have negatively affected her behavior. The aim should be to train her to incorporate alternative and opposite patterns that guarantee mental well-being (Wheeler, 2014). Lastly, the use of psychotherapy or medication will help in eliminating the negative symptoms associated with PTSD by impacting the central nervous system. A group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is helpful for PTSD patients (Ochberg, 2012).
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As regards the expectations, exposure therapy will help Ann develop coping skills against her condition. Secondly, it will help her become less sensitive to the traumatizing experience she had before (Wilson, 2012). CBT will get rid of the unhealthy patterns of thinking and replace them with healthy ones. It will also eliminate avoidance and generally instill positive social behavior in her. The psychotherapy will have an impact on the mental wellness of the patient. PTSD is characterized by increased stress, anxiety, and a lack of sleep among others (Ochberg, 2012). The role of the medication is to eliminate these symptoms.
A counselor working with a mental health patient like Ann must take into consideration specific legal and ethical issues. The confidentiality of the patient information should be protected as stipulated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Licensing remains another critical aspect in a bid to protect the clients from untrained or unqualified personnel (Remley & Herlihy, 2014). The breach of confidentiality can only be allowed in the case where the counselor attempts to warn the client or others from warm. Such a legal provision is referred to as the duty to warn. Lastly, the client should be treated with privacy and with an increased sense of dignity (Remley & Herlihy, 2014).
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Ochberg, F. (2012). Psychotherapy for chronic PTSD [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Psychotherapy.net.
Remley, T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2014). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
Wilson, R. (2012). Exposure therapy for phobias [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Psychotherapy.net.
