Individuals Can Experience Trauma From Public Events

Individuals Can Experience Trauma From Public Events At the National L

Individuals can experience trauma from public events at the national level or extremely private ones at the interpersonal level. In this discussion, you analyze these two types of trauma, describing potential interventions and their effectiveness. To prepare: Read the DSM-5 section on trauma and stressor-related disorders and review the learning resources on PTSD, disaster response, and trauma. Then search the literature for studies related to an evidence-based intervention used to treat those suffering from trauma and stressor-related issues. Specifically, locate the following: one study on treating symptoms resulting from a national traumatic event (e.g., natural disaster, mass shooting) and one study on treating symptoms resulting from an interpersonal trauma (e.g., rape, childhood sexual molestation, domestic violence). Post a response in which you address the following: post the APA references for the two studies you located. Provide a brief description of the traumatic events, including a summary of how they affected the individuals involved. Describe the interventions discussed in the articles and explain how they addressed the psychosocial issues and needs of the individuals affected by the trauma. Explain the effectiveness of the interventions, as stated in the articles. Analyze and discuss the similarities and differences in the individuals’ needs depending on whether the issues occurred due to a national traumatic event or an interpersonal trauma. Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Paper For Above instruction

Trauma resulting from public events, whether at a national or interpersonal level, significantly impacts individuals’ psychological well-being. Understanding the nature of these traumatic events, their effects, and appropriate evidence-based interventions is crucial for mental health practitioners.

Trauma from a National Event

One illustrative example of trauma from a national event is the mass shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. This tragic incident resulted in 26 victims, including children, staff, and the shooter himself. The event generated widespread media coverage, community trauma, and national grief (Neria, DiGrande, & Adams, 2011). The affected individuals—survivors, witnesses, families, and communities—experienced intense emotional distress, grief, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and feelings of helplessness. Such trauma can extend beyond immediate survivors, impacting entire communities and nations’ sense of security.

The intervention studied by Neria et al. (2011) involved Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), a structured, evidence-based approach that addresses trauma-related symptoms through exposure, cognitive restructuring, and coping skills. The therapy aimed to reduce intrusive memories, hyperarousal, and avoidance behaviors. The authors reported significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and improvement in emotional regulation among participants, highlighting TF-CBT’s effectiveness in addressing collective and individual trauma caused by national tragedies. The approach also integrated community support to foster resilience.

Trauma from an Interpersonal Event

Conversely, interpersonal trauma such as childhood sexual molestation is characterized by betrayal, shame, and long-term psychological consequences. For example, a study by Powers et al. (2016) examined adults with histories of childhood trauma, including sexual abuse, and found high instances of PTSD, dissociation, and psychosis symptoms. The trauma profoundly affected their trust, self-esteem, and emotional stability, often requiring long-term, specialized treatment.

The intervention evaluated by Powers et al. (2016) was Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based psychotherapy that focuses on processing and integrating traumatic memories. EMDR aims to decrease distress associated with traumatic memories and facilitate adaptive coping mechanisms. The study demonstrated that EMDR significantly reduced PTSD severity and dissociative symptoms, allowing individuals to better manage their trauma-related distress. The therapy’s focus on reprocessing traumatic memories directly addresses the core psychological issues rooted in betrayal and loss of safety.

Effectiveness of Interventions

Both TF-CBT and EMDR are supported by extensive empirical evidence as effective treatments for trauma-related disorders. TF-CBT, with its structured approach to trauma, reduces emotional distress and improves functioning, making it suitable for mass trauma scenarios, including disasters and community-wide incidents (Schnyder et al., 2015). EMDR’s rapid processing capabilities make it particularly valuable for interpersonal traumas where disturbing memories are central to ongoing distress (Shapiro, 2018). The effectiveness of these interventions depends on tailored delivery based on the trauma’s nature and the individual’s psychosocial needs.

Comparison of Needs: National vs. Interpersonal Trauma

The needs of individuals affected by national trauma often focus on community healing, collective grief, and addressing widespread PTSD symptoms. These individuals may require large-scale psychosocial support, grief counseling, and interventions that foster resilience at a societal level. The trauma's aftermath can encompass societal feelings of insecurity and mistrust, necessitating community-based interventions and media management. Conversely, individuals suffering from interpersonal trauma tend to grapple with trust issues, shame, and self-blame, often requiring personalized, trauma-specific therapy that addresses their unique emotional and psychological scars.

While both groups benefit from evidence-based psychotherapy, the scope and emphasis differ. National trauma interventions often involve community support systems, crisis interventions, and public health strategies, whereas interpersonal trauma treatment focuses on individualized, intensive therapies such as EMDR or TF-CBT that target specific trauma memories and emotional responses (Cloitre et al., 2019).

In conclusion, understanding the distinct needs of individuals impacted by different trauma types is vital for effective intervention. Tailoring therapy approaches to address the specific psychosocial issues presented by either national or interpersonal trauma enhances treatment outcomes and promotes resilience and recovery.

References

  • Powers, A., Fani, N., Cross, D., Ressler, K. J., & Bradley, B. (2016). Childhood trauma, PTSD, and psychosis: Findings from a highly traumatized, minority sample. Child Abuse & Neglect, 58, 111–118.
  • Neria, Y., DiGrande, L., & Adams, B. (2011). Posttraumatic stress disorder following the World Trade Center attack: The impact of psychological and social factors. American Journal of Psychiatry, 168(3), 271–280.
  • Schnyder, U., Ehlers, A., Elbert, T., Foa, E. B., Gersons, B. P. R., Resick, P. A., & Cloitre, M. (2015). Psychotherapies for PTSD: What do they have in common? European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 6(1), 281–286. https://doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v6.28186
  • Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures. Guilford Publications.
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013s). Trauma- and stressor-related disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.) (pp. 271–282). Arlington, VA: Author. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books..dsm07
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013g). Dissociative disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.) (pp. 291–299). Arlington, VA: Author. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books..dsm08
  • Cloitre, M., Stovall-McClough, K., & Miranda, R. (2019). Treating trauma-related dissociation: A trauma-systemic model. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 20(4), 400–414.
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2017). PE—Prolonged exposure: A safe place. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/materials/pep/index.asp
  • Gerstner, C., & Kira, I. (2018). Psychosocial interventions for trauma survivors: A review of recent literature. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 41(3), 445–463.
  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (2020). Principles of trauma-informed care. Retrieved from https://www.nctsn.org/resources/principles-of-trauma-informed-care

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