Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is among the most debilitating mental health conditions. As explained by Bruce & Jongsma (2010), PTSD emerges as a result of an individual’s exposure to traumatic events in their lives which are either extraordinarily horrifying or life-threatening. Research by Bruce & Jongsma (2010) has demonstrated a close correlation between combat experience and the development of PTSD. The combat experience is characterized by injury, near-death, and death situations . Such traumatic experiences are enough to trigger the development of PTSD as witnessed in the case of William Thompson, an Iraq war veteran. William exhibits specific behaviors that align with PTSD criteria, as listed in DSM-5. The first DSM-5 criterion requires the mental health professional to assess the stressor. In this case, his life in combat is a major source of stress
The second criterion under the DSM-5 for PTSD patients requires the mental health expert to look at the intrusion symptoms. William is emotionally distressed and dysfunctional in a way that has limited his ability to pay his mortgage leading to a case of homelessness. Also, in a bid to deal with his stress, he has become a persistent alcoholic. His imminent loss of job and alcoholism can also be described as deterioration in functional significance, a vital DSM-5 criterion in evaluating PTSD (Bruce & Jongsma, 2010). Another crucial DSM-5 criterion for PTSD is known as exclusion. Exclusion refers to a situation where the symptoms exhibited are not as a result of medication, illness, or substance abuse (Wheeler, 2014).). Lastly, instances of avoidance have also been demonstrated thanks to the trauma-related thoughts and feelings described. Thus, it is only imperative that William is placed under therapy to correct his problem.
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The treatment of PTSD takes three shapes, including psychosocial interventions, cognitive-based therapies, and pharmacological therapies. An example of a psychosocial intervention for PTSD appropriate for William is the exposure-based intervention. William will be exposed to the negative stimuli responsible for his stress. It will call upon the health professional to expose him to his previous trauma as a way of enabling him to face his fears. Continuous exposure places the patient at an increased position to develop coping skills against the stress (Wilson, 2012). Since his PTSD emanates from combat experience, continuous exposure to combat videos and tapes would assist him in developing the required coping skills.
William should also undergo a thorough session of cognitive-behavioral therapy ( CBT ). CBT is an effective treatment for PTSD both in the short-term and long-term therapies. The therapy focuses on the identification of faulty thinking patterns and replacing them with positive behaviors. The skills acquired during the CBT will assist William in his symptom improvement.
The third set of strategies will heavily focus on medications, also known as pharmacological treatments. Drugs such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are vital in the treatment of PTSD (Ochberg, 2012). The medications are associated with symptom reduction in individuals with mental health conditions. Other drugs such as citalopram, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine, have all been proven to have positive effects in the management of PTSD.
The approaches outlined above can be used either in isolation or in combination. The use of exposure-based intervention is expected to normalize the cause of trauma and enable the patient to achieve the coping skills required to persevere the mental distress. Through the CBT, the patient will undergo a thorough psychological and behavioral assessment to inculcate positive patterns of both aspects (Wheeler, 2014). As such, the treatment will restore his relationships and ensure that he abandons negative thought patterns that drive him to alcoholism. The medications will positively impact his mental physiology, thereby mitigating stress and anxiety that are commonly associated with PTSD (Wheeler, 2014). As such, this will improve his overall mental health and body and enhance maximum functionality.
References
Bruce, T., & Jongsma, A. (2010). Evidence-based treatment planning for post-traumatic stress disorder [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Psychotherapy.net.
Ochberg, F. (2012). Psychotherapy for chronic PTSD [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Psychotherapy.net.
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.
