Week 5 discussion
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Intervention
Imagine the survivors of a home invasion. Feelings of terror
and helplessness that shake the very foundation of personal security are the
result when strangers enter the home with the intent and will to do harm. Some
survivors may resolve these immediate feelings of helplessness by acquiring a
handgun, pepper spray, or watchdogs, or by taking self-defense courses. During,
or for a short time immediately following the invasion, some people may
experience the onset of acute stress disorder (ASD) exhibited in racing hearts,
bouts of insomnia, and feelings of panic at the sound of footsteps approaching
the front door. Others may be so traumatized that they never look at their home
in the same way or feel as safe no matter how many locks are on the doors or
how state-of-the-art their alarm system may be. When the latter individuals
experience a delayed onset of physiological response to trauma that is
persistent over the long term, their condition is described as posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). This tragic scenario is just one example of a traumatic
event that could lead to severe but short-lived stress or a prolonged stress
response that disrupts the lives of the survivors long after the event is over.
For this Discussion, review this week’s Learning Resources
including the “Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder”
handout. Reflect on the similarities and differences between ASD and PTSD. Then
consider that you have been asked to prepare a pre-deployment PTSD prevention
workshop for military health service workers. Consider intervention techniques
you might recommend to prevent the development of PTSD in this population.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post by Day 4 a brief comparison of similarities and
differences between acute stress disorder (ASD) and posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). Then explain two potential PTSD symptoms that could develop
for a military health service worker. Finally, describe two intervention
techniques you might recommend to prevent PTSD and explain why each might be effective.
Be specific.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific
references to the Learning Resources.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.
Respond by Day 6 to at least one of your colleagues’
postings in one or more of the following ways:
• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s
posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the
responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any
insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.
Click on the Reply button below to reveal the textbox for
entering your message. Then click on the Submit button to post your message.
