Secondary Ptsd M7 A2 Smith Marcanne
Transcript of Secondary Ptsd M7 A2 Smith Marcanne
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