151 -Strengths Based Approach to Treating PTSD

Summary: A Strengths Based Biopsychosocial Approach to PTSD Instructor: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes Ph.D., LMHC Objectives – Highlight the functional nature of most behaviors and reactions – Define PTSD – Examine the function and meaning of PTSD symptoms – Develop an understanding of why some people develop PTSD and others do not – Explore useful interventions for persons with PTSD Reward and Survival – Humans and animals experience reactions to prompt behavior – Anger/Fight – Fear/Flight – Reactions are responses designed to – Protect life – Achieve a reward/avoid punishment PTSD and Gradual Onset PTSD – PTSD: Traditional exposure to an event or multiple events – Military – Crime Victims – Gradual Onset PTSD: repeated exposure to horrific or threatening events causing a sense of helplessness – Law Enforcement – Military – Child Abuse/Neglect Definition – Exposure to a horrifying event in which there was a sense of helplessness – For each symptom that follows, we will identify – The function – What triggers that symptom or exacerbates it – How the person deals with/mitigates that symptom – Other things he or she could do Symptoms – Re-experiencing the traumatic event – Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event – Flashbacks (acting/feeling like the event is happening again) – Nightmares – Feelings of intense distress when reminded – Intense physical (panic) reactions to reminders Symptoms – PTSD symptoms of avoidance and emotional numbing – Avoiding reminders of the trauma – Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma – Loss of interest in activities and life in general – Feeling detached from others or emotionally numb – Sense of a limited future Symptoms – PTSD symptoms of increased arousal – Difficulty falling or staying asleep – Irritability or outbursts of anger – Difficulty concentrating – Hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”) – Feeling jumpy and easily startled Other common symptoms of PTSD – Anger and irritability – Guilt, shame, or self-blame – Substance abuse – Depression and hopelessness – Suicidal thoughts and feelings – Feeling alienated and alone – Feelings of mistrust and betrayal – Headaches, stomach problems, chest pain Triage – Similarity to the victim (or being the victim) – Proximity to your safe zones (home, work) – Social support after the trauma – History of mental health problems – Number of stressors in the past 6 months Assessment – If you were not the victim, how were you similar to the victim- – How are people around you similar to the perpetrators- – What was (or would have been) helpful for people to do after the trauma- – Who can you rely on to do those things now- Creating Safety – What can you do to take back your “safe zones” – How can your protect yourself from this in the future- – How did the experience change – How you view things- – What is important to you- – How you will live your life now- Sleep – Function – Balances neurochemicals – Helps reduce cortisol – May improve adrenal fatigue – Safety – Environmental (Feng Shui) – Common sense Sleep

151 -Strengths Based Approach to Treating PTSD

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