Post Traumatic Stress Disorder~

Secondary Effects on the Family

Course Code: PSY492

 

Submitted by: Marcanne Smith

 

Date: April 12, 2010

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Anxiety disorder developed after experiencing a traumatic or life-threatening event

Disintegration of the human psyche’s natural protection mechanism of fear – “fight or flight”

Associated with persistent, frightening thoughts and memories, or flashbacks, of the ordeal

Persons with PTSD often feel chronically, emotionally numb

What is secondary PTSD?

Indirect exposure to trauma through a firsthand account or narrative of a traumatic event

Act of mirroring side effects of PTSD

Altering of behaviors for fear of verbal and/or physical abuse from PTSD patient

Who is effected by secondary PTSD?

Family members

Co-workers

Friends

Acquaintances

Understanding Secondary PTSD

PTSD / Secondary PTSD is not prejudiced

Co-workers can be indirectly affected

Friends can be lost

Acquaintances can become unwilling victims of rage associated with both PTSD and Secondary PTSD

Family members adopt trauma as their “own”

Is Secondary PTSD real?Continuous indirect exposure (retelling of

events) to traumatic events can transfer PTSD-like symptoms

Negative behaviors of PTSD person can result in traumatic events

Currently, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Edition) does not recognize secondary PTSD as a valid disorder; consequently treatment options are extremely limited for family members.

Treating PTSD patient

Intensive couples therapy

Retelling of events to family member in a non-threatening, neutral environment◦Personal recounting without projecting◦Film footage

Treating Secondary PTSD

Defining “victim”Secondary PTSD needs to be

declared valid psychosesSecondary PTSD can be as

damaging as PTSDSecondary PTSD is as treatable

as PTSDJoint effort between therapist and

patient

Conclusion

References Black, T. G. (2004). Psychotherapy and Outcome Research in Ptsd:

Understanding the Challenges and Complexities in the Literature. Canadian Journal of Counselling, 38(4), 277+.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (2010). Retrieved on April 17, 2010 from http://www.ptsd.ne.gov/what-is-ptsd.html

Solomon, Z., Dekel, R., Zerach, G., & Horesh, D. (2009). Differentiation of the Self and Posttraumatic Symptomatology among Ex-pows and Their Wives. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 35(1), 60+

Taylor, S. (Ed.). (2004). Advances in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Cognitive Behavioral Perspectives. New York: Springer

Williams-Keeler, L., McCarrey, M., Baranowsky, A. B., Young, M., & Johnson-Douglas, S. (1998). Ptsd Transmission: a Review of Secondary Traumatization in Holocaust Survivor Families. Canadian Psychology, 39(4), 247+.

Williams, M. B. & Sommer, J. F. (Eds.). (1994). Handbook of Post-Traumatic Therapy. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press