Strengths Based Approach to Dealing with PTSD
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This document outlines a strengths-based biopsychosocial approach to understanding and treating PTSD, emphasizing the functional nature of symptoms and the importance of interventions. It covers the definition of PTSD, its symptoms, and effective strategies for assessment and treatment, including cognitive processing therapy and stress management techniques. The document also stresses the significance of social support, sleep hygiene, and resilience in the recovery process.
Strengths Based Approach to Dealing with PTSD
- 1. A Strengths Based Biopsychosocial Approach to PTSD Instructor: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes Ph.D., LMHC, LPC-MHSP AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 2. 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 AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 3. 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 AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 4. 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 Child Abuse/Neglect Domestic Violence AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 5. 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 AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 6. 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 AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89 Function Triggers Mitigators Exacerbators
- 7. 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 AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89 Function Triggers Mitigators Exacerbators
- 8. 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 AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89 Function Triggers Mitigators Exacerbators
- 9. Other common symptoms of PTSD Anger and irritability Headaches, stomach problems, chest pain Guilt, shame, or self-blame (Assimilation) Substance abuse Depression and hopelessness, Suicidal thoughts Feeling alienated and alone Feelings of mistrust and betrayal AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89 Function Triggers Mitigators Exacerbators
- 10. 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 AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 11. 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? What symptoms are you having… What makes each better? Worse? AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 12. Strengths Based Interventions It is easier (and more effective) to build upon something that already works to some extent. Strengths-based approach helps people identify how they are already trying to cope and builds on that There are two types of strengths Prevention/Resilience Strengths What you do on a daily basis to stay healthy and happy Intervention/Coping Strengths In the past when you have felt this way, what helped? What made it worse? AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 13. Creating Safety / Accommodation What can you do to take back your “safe zones” How are you protecting yourself now? 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? AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 14. Create Safety Activity Identify places/times when you feel safe vs. unsafe and compare them Brainstorm different ways to create safety At home At night In the car At your office AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 15. Sleep Function Balances neurochemicals Helps reduce cortisol May improve adrenal fatigue Safety Environmental (Feng Shui) Common sense AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 16. Sleep Anchoring So when you awaken you can stay in/get in the present moment Lights Safety item/dog Stimuli Sounds Smells Sights AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 17. Sleep Routine Let your body know when it is time to sleep Find ways to release stress and tension Avoid “triggers” before bed (Television shows, news, email…) Medication Guided Imagery Progressive Relaxation AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 18. Social Support Friends, family, support groups, clergy… Nonjudgmental Available 24/7-ish This can include specialty hotlines and chatrooms (ptsdhotline.com; ptsdusa.org; centers.rainn.org etc.) Empathetic Help to meet health and safety needs Handle the details People in shock/traumatized cannot remember squat. They need people to prompt them and write things down AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 19. Desensitization Some things you logically know are not threatening but still evoke a startle response Acknowledge the event Be kind to yourself Recognize the value of the startle response (Strength) Identify times when your startle response might be greater (i.e. library vs. restaurant) Identify ways to mitigate your startle response AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 20. Cognitive Processing Therapy Some beliefs about safety, happiness, or people/situations in general can be distorted by trauma. Ask yourself: What happened? (Rape) What is the belief? (I will never be safe, It was my fault, All people like him are bad) Is this belief based on facts or feelings? How reliable is the source? Are you using extreme words? Is the belief based on only part of the picture? In what ways does this belief protect you? In what ways does this belief impair your life? How can you best use your energy? AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 21. Stress Management Can’t squeeze blood from a turnip Emotional Health Physical health Exercise Nutrition Sleep Socialization AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 22. Trauma Recovery Grief Topics Loss of control (Acceptance=What do you have control over) Loss of a sense of safety Loss of hope Loss of idealism Loss of ______________ Grief Stages Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 23. Grief Resolution What losses did you experience as a result of the trauma For each loss: What about this makes you angry? How can you deal with this anger healthfully? Anger protects you and pushes people away. What do you still need to be protected from? Depression signals a sense of hopelessness or helplessness. About what can you be hopeful? Empowered? AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89
- 24. Summary PTSD can be from a single event or multiple, ongoing stressors Traumatic Events can change people’s beliefs about the world in an extreme way For some people understanding the function of the symptoms can help them Desensitize Modify their beliefs Make positive, mindful choices AllCEUs Unlimited CE $59 | Webinars $5 | Specialty Certificates $89