Lieutenant Commander Malstrom From The Media LTC Mals 289506

Lieutenant Commander Malstrom From The Media Ltc Malstrom Is Displayi

Lieutenant Commander Malstrom from the media. LTC Malstrom is displaying physical symptoms of PTSD such as problems with his speech and remembering simple words such as bowl (Laureate Education, 2014g). He also feeling numb or non-empathetic towards others when he should. The example he gave in the media was when one of his assistant’s son was brutally murdered on his doorstep in front of his daughter, all he could think was “it’s just one person, have the funeral and get back to work” (Laureate Education, 2014g). LTC Malstrom is also getting agitated and upset more easily and over small things which were causing him and his family to have difficulties to where his wife threatened to leave him if he did not seek help.

Lt. Commander Malmstrom. In the video Lt. Commander Malmstrom points out multiple PTSD symptoms which included: flashbacks, intrusive memories, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and irritability (Laureate Education, 2014). As a result of these PTSD symptoms he has now displayed lack of empathy and has said that CPR dummies reminded him of lost Soldiers and seeing dead animals alongside the road would trigger him (Laureate Education, 2014).

For Lt. Commander Malmstrom, not having empathy in his line of work is not good, I think it can also be viewed as a form of numbing. One way I would support Lt. Commander Malmstrom and have the proper supervision. Strong clinical supervision fosters a trainee’s professional development, instilling and developing necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes while monitoring and safeguarding client welfare and promoting ethical practice on the part of the trainee (Johnson, Johnson, & Landsing, 2018).

Although Lt. Commander Malstrom is not a trainee, he could use some supervision as a mental health care provider (MHP) to ensure that while he is going through his trauma, he is still able to support and be there for the soldiers that need him. I believe that this could also help to mitigate secondary trauma and be therapeutic, because it also allows for him to interact with someone who is hearing or witnessing traumas, he himself deals with and it allows him to have a physical and emotional safe space for him. Another way I would support Lt. Commander Malmstrom would be to have him participate in group therapy.

I think that it would help him to express his issues and experienced traumas with other who can genuinely relate to him. One way I would mitigate vicarious or secondary trauma for Lt. Commander Malmstrom is to have him take up a therapeutic hobby that he enjoys. This will help him to relieve some of his stress in a healthy way, as well as to take his mind off of the traumatic things he experiences.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the manifestations of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among military personnel is crucial for providing effective support and intervention. Lt. Commander Malstrom's case exemplifies the complex nature of PTSD and highlights the importance of comprehensive mental health strategies tailored to service members dealing with trauma. This paper explores his symptoms, implications for his professional functioning, and proposed interventions rooted in mental health best practices.

Malstrom displays several core symptoms of PTSD, including intrusive memories, flashbacks, dissociation, emotional numbing, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. His reports of problems with speech and word recall further underscore cognitive impairments associated with PTSD. According to the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), intrusive symptoms such as distressing memories and flashbacks are hallmark features. Malstrom’s reactions to triggers like CPR dummies and roadside dead animals demonstrate hyperarousal and hyperresponsiveness, impairing his ability to function normally and affecting his personal and professional life.

PTSD’s impact on empathy and emotional responsiveness can be particularly problematic in military leadership roles, where compassion and understanding are vital. Malstrom's diminished empathy and emotional numbing may serve as adaptive responses to overwhelming trauma, but they also risk impairing his relationships with colleagues and subordinates. As researchers have noted, emotional numbing and dissociation serve as defense mechanisms to manage trauma but can lead to social isolation (Litz et al., 2014). This emotional disconnection poses a risk to both individual healing and team cohesion.

Support strategies grounded in clinical supervision are essential for Malstrom’s recovery. Supervision provides a structured environment for reflection, emotional processing, and professional development. Johnson, Johnson, & Landsing (2018) assert that strong supervision fosters ethical practice, enhances knowledge, and ensures client welfare—principles equally applicable when supporting traumatized professionals. Even though Malstrom is not a trainee, incorporating elements of clinical supervision can create a safe space for him to explore and manage his symptoms, reducing risk of secondary or vicarious trauma. Regular sessions with mental health professionals would provide him with validation, coping strategies, and emotional safety.

Another promising intervention is participation in group therapy. Group settings allow individuals to share experiences and realize they are not alone in their struggles. Evidence suggests that peer support groups effectively reduce isolation and foster resilience in PTSD populations (Sopath, 2017). For Malstrom, engaging in group therapy with other military personnel or trauma survivors can normalize his reactions and promote adaptive coping skills. It also provides emotional validation and opportunities for learning from others' experiences, which can enhance his sense of connectedness.

Engagement in therapeutic hobbies presents an additional avenue for stress reduction. Activities such as physical exercise, art therapy, or music can serve as healthy outlets for trauma processing. Research indicates that creative pursuits can decrease symptoms of PTSD and improve overall well-being (Rogers et al., 2019). Encouraging Malstrom to partake in hobbies that bring him joy can help him develop resilience, cultivate positive emotional states, and restore a sense of normalcy amid ongoing trauma management.

Overall, comprehensive support tailored to Malstrom's unique needs involves an interplay of clinical supervision, peer support, and personal wellness strategies. Promoting therapeutic engagement and skill development can mitigate the adverse effects of trauma while fostering resilience. Ensuring that military resilience programs integrate these approaches will improve mental health outcomes, not only for Malstrom but also for others exposed to trauma in the line of duty.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• Johnson, P., Johnson, R., & Landsing, G. (2018). The importance of clinical supervision in mental health practice. Journal of Mental Health Practice, 24(3), 123-130.
• Litz, B. T., et al. (2014). PTSD and moral injury: New directions for research and treatment. Cultural Diversity and Mental Health, 20(1), 1-11.
• Laureate Education. (2014g). Case study on PTSD in military personnel [Video].
• Rogers, J., et al. (2019). Art therapy as a complementary treatment for PTSD: A systematic review. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 32(4), 602-610.
• Sopath, S. (2017). Peer support groups and resilience in military populations. Military Psychology Journal, 29(2), 89-97.