Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (DSM-IV)

Most adults will experience at least one traumatic event in their lives, with some experiencing several. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV), a trauma is defined as witnessing or experiencing “actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation” which “causes clinically significant distress or impairment in the individual’s social interactions, capacity to work or other important areas of functioning”. After a traumatic event, there is a chance that an individual will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a trauma and stressor- related disorder which can develop after an extremely stressful event, such as physical harm or military combat. It is categorised by the onset of recurring memories of the event, and feelings of fear and anxiety even when there is an absence of danger. However, many people who experience a stressful event do not go on to develop PTSD. This could be explained by individual differences in resilience to stress, resulting in those with less resilience developing the disorder. Resilience is a term used to describe the act of rebounding or springing back- a person’s ability to recover from a stressful event. It is defined as “the process or outcome of successful adaption despite challenging or threatening circumstances” (Nakaya, Oshio & Kaneko, 2006). It is a dynamic process of adapting successfully, not just a lack of vulnerability (Bonanno et al, 2007). Those who are resilient are also able to positively adapt and experience a positive change after a trauma (Smith, Tooley, Christopher & Kay, 2010). There are multiple pathways to a high level of resilience, including self enhancement, positive emotion, conscientiousness, optimism, locus of control, hardiness and social support. REFERENCE. Although it is not ideal, many individuals face a difficult time and are not able to function well after a trauma. However, those with resilience are able to overcome the event, and perhaps even positively adapt from them (Connor & Davidson, 2003). It is interesting to examine the individual differences in resilience as it could allow PTSD treatments to develop and become more effective. If we can determine the factors that result in a high resilience to stress in an individual, then we can incorporate methods that would allow those suffering with PTSD to utilise those factors and recover from the disorder. This is because resilience is something that can be taught and learnt. This is known as hardiness, which is a pattern of skills that leads to resilience (Maddi, 2009). Hardiness is characterised as a combination of three attitudes; commitment, control and challenge. These provide the individual with the motivation to turn stressful events into opportunities for personal growth (Maddi, 2008/2). It is negatively correlated with anxiety, depression and PTSD. This could be due to those with high hardiness having the ability to face stressors accurately, rather than deny or catastrophize them. REFERENCE. They cope through problem solving rather than avoidance, and find social support through interacting with others. Those with low hardiness however, tend to feel powerless, and withdraw socially which results in less social support. Bartone (1999) found that higher hardiness in military personnel before they went to combat resulted in a lower chance of developing PTSD after witnessing a traumatic event. Fredrickson and Branigan (2005) state that there are four factors that develop and sustain an individual’s resilience; the ability to make realistic plans, a …show more content…
Locus of control is the extent to which an individual believes they have control over the events affecting them. Those with an internal locus of control can find meaning from their experiences, and learn to grow from them. They find the experience as an opportunity to bond with other people dealing with the same issues, and use them as resources for coping with their needs.
Grit is another factor which causes high resilience. It refers to pursuing long term goals, whilst persistently overcoming challenges, and maintaining effort despite negative feedback or failure. REFERENCE. Gritty individuals have the ability to regulate strong feelings and control impulses, which is one of the factors Fredrickson and Branigan (2005) described as being necessary for resilience. As they are also highly motivated, they are much more likely to be able to turn the negative experience into an opportunity for growth, and motivation to continue on their path towards their long term