...Trauma and Emotional Relearning When a tragedy happens the amount of physical and emotional trauma it can put on someone can vary. Some people can walk away from something like it never effected them, however; others may not be able to let it go and it can led to long term psychological problems if not treated. We live in a world where things we never imagined would happen, happens. Therefore; it is important to know the recovery process and how to handle the trauma and emotional relearning. No one imagined the nightmare that would take place on February 17, 1989 at Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton, California. A man named Patrick Purdy played on that same playground twenty years before the nightmare occurred. Patrick Purdy was the man who stood at the edge of the playground on February 17, 1989 and fired bullets at the children playing. He did this for about seven minutes until he took his own life with a pistol. Not only did he take his own life but he also killed 5 children and twenty-nine were wounded. The students and staff who attended Cleveland Elementary witnessed such trauma that would forever haunt them. Moving on with their lives was a constant struggle and they lived in constant fear every time they walked through those doors. That same type of fear lives within a forty-eight year old man who fought in the Vietnam War who would jump at the clap of thunder as well as many Holocaust victims. The constant fear and the little memories that trigger the big...
Words: 830 - Pages: 4
...Complexly traumatized youth frequently suffer from body dysregulation, meaning they over-respond or underrespond to sensory stimuli. For example, they may be hypersensitive to sounds, smells, touch or light, or they may suffer from anesthesia and analgesia, in which they are unaware of pain, touch, or internal physical sensations. As a result they may injure themselves without feeling pain, suffer from physical problems without being aware of them, or, the converse – they may complain of chronic pain in various body areas for which no physical cause can be found. Effects of Complex Trauma. (2014). Retrieved September 7, 2014. Think of what it is like for young children to be in traumatic situations. They can feel totally helpless and passive. They can cry for help or desperately wish for someone to intervene. They can feel deeply threatened by separation from parents or caretakers. Young children rely on a "protective shield" provided by adults and older siblings to judge the seriousness of danger and to ensure their safety and welfare. They often don't recognize a traumatic danger until it happens, for example, in a near drowning, attack by a dog, or accidental scalding. They can be the target of physical and sexual abuse by the very people they rely on for their own protection and safety. Young children can witness violence within the family or be left helpless after a parent or caretaker is injured, as might occur in a serious automobile accident. They have the most difficulty...
Words: 2192 - Pages: 9
...Some consider a healthy mental sanity key to balance in self yet the most intelligent human minds of history were labeled insane. With the infinite number of circumstances and knowledge, the brain, as the operating system, defines individuals through their memories and awareness. Without either, one’s reality may be significantly impacted emotionally, psychologically, and physically. Clinical psychologist Martha Stout, author of “When I Woke Up Tuesday Morning, It Was Friday”, discusses a widely common “issue” that affects the psychological and sometimes even physical aspects of the mind. Dissociation is the disconnection of the mind and sometimes body that often results from trauma. It creates an atmosphere of uncontrollable unawareness that...
Words: 1111 - Pages: 5
...Biological approach John exhibits some possible biological abnormalities. He could have inherited a genetic pre-disposition to be aggressive from his father. Serotonin levels maybe unbalanced in his brain due to his depression, add this with his alcohol consumption which will have an impact too. Any one of these things could be an explanation to John’s aggressive behaviour. Psychodynamic approach Psychodynamic approach could say John experienced some kind of emotional disturbance/trauma when he was going through the Psychosexual developmental stages he is verbally aggressive and has now started drinking which would say he could have regressed back to being fixated around the oral stage. Around the oral stage a child will develop an ego and will start to differentiate himself from others. The ego has many defences projection seems to be a big one for John he is projecting his anger from his dad to his boss and his boss to his wife and family. He is also displacing his angry thoughts of his boss and father onto his family as it may be that John is threatened by his father and boss so goes home and takes it out on his wife and family instead who he is not intimidated by. Behaviourist approach Behaviourist approach says all behaviour is learnt. John exhibits several behavioural problems which could be related to learnt behaviour, such as his great need for his bosses approval of things, which has an obvious relationship/connection to his childhood role model his father...
Words: 859 - Pages: 4
...Each person experiences many different situations through life. Some of these are good memories, and unfortunately some of them scar us forever. We choose how to deal with these scars and how to handle these subpar circumstances. A recent uprise in dissociating from these memories has become evident. There are many different types of dissociative disorders, but the one that caught my eye most was Dissociative Identity Disorder. This disorder was previously known as multiple personality disorder. This disorder has become better known because of the media and has become more diagnosed among patients. As I began to put myself in the shoes of someone with this disorder, I realized what barriers it would cause, how it would affect my daily life, what strengths I might gain, and what treatment is available. Often people are misled about what Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) really is. Kong, Allen, and Glisky in their journal state, “Dissociative Identity Disorder is defined as the presence of two or more identities or personality states that recurrently take control of a person’s behavior” (Kong, Allen & Glisky, 2008). It falls into the category of dissociative disorders. There are multiple criteria to be met in order to be diagnosed with DID. As stated in the DSM-IV, two or more distinct identities or personalities have to be present in the individual. Also, these distinct identities have to take control over the behavior recurrently. Thirdly, the individual is unable to...
Words: 2494 - Pages: 10
...the wars of today many not even being able to see tomorrow. The implications that war brings a sense of supreme power and security to the Americas does not make up for the trauma, PTSD disorders, and emotional detachment issues our soldiers face at the end of the day. Trauma can be experienced one of two ways, physical being wounded or hurt on the outside or mental trauma which is experienced inside the individuals own mind. Both can affect a person’s life drastically, but it’s the mental patients that give the appearance that they have no problems, but upon further examination end up being the lives that where affected the most. In the film “In the Valley of Elah” by Paul Haggis a young woman goes to the police after her war veteran husband drowns their dog in the bathtub, believing she’ll be next only to be turned away. It is very clear that the woman’s husband is suffering from mental trauma. That is why he drowned the dog. Trauma can make you do things you never thought humane. Trauma can change your whole process of thinking. Trauma can change the life of an individual. Car accidents, terrorism, and war are just some of the few causes of PTSD. Kind of like trauma a person diagnosed with PTSD may not always look ill. In fact a person with PTSD can look like a normal everyday citizen. But their brains have been turned to mush that they cant...
Words: 764 - Pages: 4
...What are Anxiety Disorders? A cover term for a variety of mental disorders in which severe anxiety is a salient symptom. Anxiety disorders are the most common of emotional disorders and affect more than 25 million Americans. Many forms and symptoms may include: • Overwhelming feelings of panic and fear • Uncontrollable obsessive thoughts • Painful, intrusive memories • Recurring nightmares • Physical symptoms such as feeling sick to your stomach, “butterflies” in your stomach, heart pounding, startling easily, and muscle tension Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness. Untreated anxiety disorders can push people into avoiding situations that trigger or worsen their symptoms. People with anxiety disorders are likely to suffer from depression, and they also may abuse alcohol and other drugs in an effort to gain relief from their symptoms. Job performance, school work, and personal relationships can also suffer. Types of Anxiety Disorders Panic disorder People with this condition have feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly with no warning. Other symptoms of a panic attack include sweating, chest pain, palpitations (irregular heartbeats), and a feeling of choking, which may make the person feel like he or she is having a heart attack or "going crazy." Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) People with OCD are plagued by constant thoughts or fears that cause them to perform certain rituals or...
Words: 4285 - Pages: 18
...There are many potential causes for depressive, bipolar and substance disorders such as biological, neurotransmitters, genetics, child hood trauma, and even major life events and even hormonal changes. Some of these causes’ people originate from and some develop over time due to their surroundings and or how a person is affected by life itself. Biological causes a change in brain activity causing depression where there is a decrease in the left frontal lobe during depression and a downward movement in activity that stabilizes the mood which again develops depression with the up and down activity in the brain. The release of imbalance neurotransmitters in the brain is linked to a person’s mood. Child hood trauma can cause depression for a long period of time that could lead to many things like substance disorders which develop by the way a person likes the way they feel, maybe feeling relaxed or not even thinking about the problems they have or stress. Substance abuse can also be genetic similar to bipolar. Some small studies have indicated that there is a "substantial genetic contribution" to bipolar disorder risk. People with a blood relative who has bipolar disorder have a higher risk of developing it themselves. Currently, scientists are trying to identify which genes are involved. hormonal imbalances are thought to possibly trigger or cause bipolar disorder. Abuse, mental stress, a "significant loss", or some other traumatic event may contribute towards bipolar disorder risk...
Words: 505 - Pages: 3
...the class. Personally, I am very interested in the aspect of brain plasticity and what aspects of life and psychology play a crucial role in its activity. For this reason, my big question is “What largely impacts brain plasticity?”. However, before I go further into my research about brain plasticity it is important to define what brain plasticity is. Brain plasticity is the brain's ability to alter its structure and function following an experience or changes in the body (Brain Facts). The changes that occur in the brain due to brain plasticity could involve a growing or shrinking in grey matter, neural...
Words: 1162 - Pages: 5
...DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PTSD AND SOMATIZATION DISORDER Laura Bennett Belluvue University I will look at some of the ways that PTSD and Somatization Disorder are alike. One symptom that they have in common is musculoskeletal conditions. Another symptom that they have in common is GI problems. Some of the treatments for both disorders that are the same are cognition therapy and the use of antidepressant medications. I will now look at how each of these is different and also will look at some of the different treatments for each. Somatization disorder is defined as a psychiatric condition marked by multiple, medically unexplained physical or somatic symptoms. In order to qualify for the diagnosis of somatization disorder, somatic complaints must be serious enough to interfere significantly with a person’s ability to perform daily activities and lead the person to seek medical attention. (Brown, R., Schrag, A., & Trimble, M., 2005) One of the theories on the cause of somatization disorder suggest that it is a way of avoiding psychological distress. Another theory suggests that somatization disorder arises from a heightened sensitivity to internal sensations. Usually with somatization disorder there are symptoms of headache, difficulty swallowing or speaking and urinary retention. To qualify for the diagnosis, at least 1 of the symptoms must resemble a neurological disorder, such as seizures, problems with coordination or paralysis. For a definite diagnosis of somatization...
Words: 652 - Pages: 3
...Memory plays an important role from the early stages of life until the body starts to deteriorate. Information needs to be stored in our memory in order for it to be processed and accessible when needed. The memory portion of the brain allows us to furnish our mind with emotions, knowledge and thoughts that aids in accomplishing everyday tasks. Memory contributes to the ability of recalling events, connecting one point to another, and incorporates the world of the implicit. In other words, memory has the ability to guide the mind through effortless tasks without being consciously aware. For example, a person does not need to recall every motion in riding a bike after the process is already learned. However, memory may be affected by amnesia. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of memory and brain structures involved with anterograde and retrograde amnesia Amnesia is a condition that involves partial or complete loss of memory. The severity of memory loss is determined by which part of the brain was affected. Major brain structures involved with memory are the hippocampus and the temporal lobes. The hippocampus is a structure within the brain and part of the limbic system. This structure significantly contributes to memory, and may be related to processing information and the formation of recent memories. According to Kim and Fanselow (1992), damage to the hippocampus results in the impairment of recent memories, but not remote A study conducted by Kim and Fanselow...
Words: 961 - Pages: 4
...Genetics, Brain Structure, and Behavior Presentation Janelle Gunnels Psy/340 April 25, 2013 Ioannis Papazafiropoulos Genetics, Brain Structure, and Behavior Presentation Team B presented a presentation explaining the genetics, brain structure, and behavior of individuals suffering Bipolar illness. This paper will evaluate their presentation and explain bipolar illness, explain the neurological damage or changes to the brain as a result of the illness, and also an explanation of the behavioral or functional changes that can occur as a result of the illness. I will touch bases on the following: • A description of the suspected or known causes of the illness • A discussion of current treatments or therapies and future research for the prevention or cure of the illness • The role of genetics on the onset of the illness • The visual appeal of the presentation • The overall organization of the information presented What is Bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder is a mental illness which is also commonly known as manic-depressive illness. It is a brain disorder which causes abnormal changes in mood, energy and activity. This disorder interferes with one’s ability to handle everyday task. The symptoms and effects are extreme as this is considered a long term illness. Bipolar Disorder normally appears in an individual...
Words: 1791 - Pages: 8
...* Anterograde amnesia refers to the inability to create new memories due to brain damage, while long-term memories from before the event remain intact. The brain damage can be caused by the effects of long-term alcoholism, severe malnutrition, stroke, head trauma, encephalitis, surgery, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, cerebrovascular events, anoxia or other trauma.[12] The two brain regions related with this condition are medial temporal lobe and medial diencephalon. Anterograde amnesia cannot be treated with pharmacological methods due to neuronal loss.[13] However, treatment exists in educating patients to define their daily routines and after several steps they begin to benefit from their procedural memory. Likewise, social and emotional support is critical to improving quality of life for anterograde amnesia sufferers.[13] * Retrograde amnesia refers to inability to recall memories before onset of amnesia. One may be able to encode new memories after the incident. Retrograde is usually caused by head trauma or brain damage to parts of the brain besides the hippocampus. The hippocampus is responsible for encoding new memory. Episodic memory is more likely to be affected than semantic memory. The damage is usually caused by head trauma, cerebrovascular accident, stroke, tumor, hypoxia, encephalitis, or chronic alcoholism. People suffering from retrograde amnesia are more likely to remember general knowledge rather than specifics. Recent memories are less likely to be recovered...
Words: 1381 - Pages: 6
...and all the arts are the keys to learning." Frequency, note progression in a scale, rhythms and beats, vibrations, composition, timing, expression, harmonies, tone, orchestration and melody all trigger different learning experiences within the brain. Clinical music therapy can be used as a vital tool, for improving the quality of life in individual's suffering from deficiencies in cognitive, motor, emotional and social behaviors. Music affects many parts of the brain. The auditory cortex disseminates volume, pitch, speed, melody and rhythm. Lyric memory and sounds, along with imagery associated with sounds, and...
Words: 965 - Pages: 4
...Childhood Adversity Almost half the nation’s children have experienced at least one or more types of childhood trauma. (Stevens) Childhood adversity is due to a dysfunctional childhood. (Pederson) There are many things that affect children’s childhood. Neglect and abuse, Witnessing domestic violence, Parents with drinking or drug abuse problems, and many other ways. This can change the brain and have lifelong effects on a person. There are ways to help people who have childhood adversity. You can also tell when someone is going through childhood adversity also. How can we aid victims of childhood adversity? So many things can affect children and their childhood’s. Each child can be affected differently in different situations. Neglect...
Words: 1292 - Pages: 6
