PTSD - LPNI
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PTSD
PTSD and the Role of a Parish Nurse
Emotional trauma is described as an event or series of events, an experience or prolonged experiences, and /or a threat or perceived threats to a person’s well-being. The individual’s daily coping mechanisms can be negatively impacted by the trauma. Subsequent behavioral responses to daily life may be filtered through this perspective. It occurs as a result of abuse, neglect, loss, disaster, war and other emotional harmful experiences. Trauma has no boundaries with regard to age, gender, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. The need to address trauma is increasingly viewed as an important component of effective behavioral health service and requires mental health agencies to be aware of the needs of an individual. Early identification and effective trauma-specific assessment and treatment will allow the individual to deal with the diagnosis.
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD are indicated in 4 specific categories: 1) Re-experiencing; 2) Avoidance; 3) Persistent negative alterations in cognitions and mood; and 4) Alterations in arousal and activity.
Re-experiencing:
- Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
- Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)
- Upsetting dreams about the traumatic event
- Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the event
- Avoidance
Symptoms of avoidance may include:
- Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
- Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event
- Negative changes in thinking and mood
- Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:
- Negative feelings about yourself or other people
- Inability to experience positive emotions
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Hopelessness about the future
- Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
- Difficulty maintaining close relationships
- Changes in emotional reactions
- Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
- Always being on guard for danger
- Overwhelming guilt or shame
- Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble sleeping
- Being easily startled or frightened
The treatment usually includes a combination of medications for the depression or anxiety and psychotherapy. Others modes of therapy include writing your story and share it with a non-judgmental person. Treatment for PTSD is called Trauma informed Care.
The role of the parish nurse with this mental health disorder is to listen, know the resources in the community for referral, support the family members, and encourage the writing of the incidence. Also, teaching about the medications and their purpose and the need to continue taking the medications. This is a long and arduous process for the identified patient and for the family. The parish nurse has a unique role in healthcare by being available in a non-threatening environment to give support and encouragement, praying with the individual, provide spiritual care and to refer to an appropriate agency when a problem or a concern is seen, identifying potential or exacerbated PTSD.
Reference material has come from the book, Our War by Charles (Chuck) Atherton and from the website of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration as well as the National Institute of Mental Health.
Mary Hume, BSN, Parish Nurse
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Topeka, KS USA
KS District Representative