Week 9: Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders

Trauma from war and from other types of disasters and everyday life events are grouped together in the DSM-5 as trauma and stressor-related disorders. It is important to remember that trauma responses can take many other diagnostic forms besides the well-known posttraumatic stress disorder. Such responses include, but are not limited to, dissociative disorder, anxiety, and depression.

This week you analyze evidence-based interventions for trauma and stressor-related issues. You also analyze the role social work and social workers play in addressing traumatic events. Finally, you consult on a trauma case when recommending an evidence-based treatment plan.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze evidence-based interventions for trauma and stressor-related issues
• Analyze a case study focused on a trauma and stress-related disorder utilizing steps of differential diagnosis
• Assess a treatment plan within a case study
• Create a treatment plan based on a case study

Learning Resources

Required Readings

American Psychiatric Association. (2013s). Trauma- and stressor-related disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.dsm07American Psychiatric Association. (2013g). Dissociative disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.dsm08Powers, A., Fani, N., Cross, D., Ressler, K. J., & Bradley, B. (2016). Childhood trauma, PTSD, and psychosis: Findings from a highly traumatized, minority sample. Child Abuse & Neglect, 58, 111–118.Schnyder, U., Ehlers, A., Elbert, T., Foa, E. B., Gersons, B. P. R., Resick, P. A., … Cloitre, M. (2015). Psychotherapies for PTSD: What do they have in common? European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 6(1), 281–286. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v6.28186Smith, J. C., Hyman, S. M., Andres-Hyman, R. C., Ruiz, J. J., & Davidson, L. (2016). Applying recovery principles to the treatment of trauma. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 47(5), 347–355. doi:10.1037/pro0000105

Required Media

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2017). PE—Prolonged exposure: A safe place. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/AboutFace/therapies/pe.htmlNote: On this page, watch the following videos about veteran Frederick M. Gantt’s experience with prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD.”I had to make a decision””What am I running from?””I could see it in color””The Middle Eastern restaurant””I’m in a safe place”

Optional Resources

American Psychiatric Association. (2013m). Other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.VandZcodesGoral, A., Lahad, M., & Aharonson-Daniel, L. (2017). Differences in posttraumatic stress characteristics by duration of exposure to trauma. Psychiatry Research, 258, 101–107. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.09.079Maercker, A., & Hecker, T. (2016). Broadening perspectives on trauma and recovery: A socio-interpersonal view of PTSD. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 7(1), 1–9. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v7.29303McHugh, R. K., Gratz, K. L., & Tull, M. T. (2017). The role of anxiety sensitivity in reactivity to trauma cues in treatment-seeking adults with substance use disorders. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 78, 107–114. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.07.011van der Kolk, B., & Najavits, L. M. (2013). Interview: What is PTSD really? Surprises, twists of history, and the politics of diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(5), 516–522. doi:10.1002/jclp.21992Document: Suggested Further Reading for SOCW 6090 (PDF)Note: This is the same document introduced in Week 1.

Optional Media

University at Buffalo School of Social Work (Producer). (2014b). Episode 141— Tara Hughes: Disaster mental health: An emerging social work practice [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.insocialwork.org/episode.asp?ep=141University at Buffalo School of Social Work (Producer). (2015). Episode 180—Dr. Howard Lipke: HEArt for veterans: Identifying the hidden emotion [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.insocialwork.org/episode.asp?ep=180

Discussion 1: Evidence-Based Interventions Used in Trauma

Individuals can experience trauma from public events at the national level or extremely private ones at the interpersonal level. In this Discussion, you analyze these two types of trauma, describing potential interventions and their effectiveness.

To prepare: Read the DSM-5 section on trauma and stressor-related disorders and review the Learning Resources on PTSD, disaster response, and trauma.

Then search the literature for studies related to an evidence-based intervention used to treat those suffering from trauma and stressor-related issues. Specifically, locate the following:

• One study on treating symptoms resulting from a national traumatic event (e.g., natural disaster, mass shooting)
• One study on treating symptoms resulting from an interpersonal trauma (e.g., rape, childhood sexual molestation, domestic violence)

By Day 3

Post a response in which you address the following:

• Post the APA references for the two studies you located.
• Provide a brief description of the traumatic events, including a summary of how they affected the individuals involved.
• Describe the interventions discussed in the articles and explain how they addressed the psychosocial issues and needs of the individuals affected by the trauma.
• Explain the effectiveness of the interventions, as stated in the articles.
• Analyze and discuss the similarities and differences in the individuals’ needs depending on whether the issues occurred due to a national traumatic event or an interpersonal trauma.

Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two colleagues in the following ways:

• Based on the needs your colleague identified, explain some of the factors the mental health community could address in both types of traumatic events.
• Explain skills your colleague could develop to address the traumas described in their articles.

Note:You are required to create a thread for your initial Discussion post before you will be able to view other colleagues’ postings in this forum.If you have not yet visited the weekly resources and assignments, you should visit that area now to access the complete set of directions and guidelines for this discussion.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:Week 9 Discussion 1 Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6

To participate in this Discussion:Week 9 Discussion 1

Discussion 2: Trauma and Comorbidity

It is not uncommon for people who experience trauma tousesubstances to moderate psychological or emotionalpain. Trauma caneasily add to the strain that people already feel. In this Discussion, you diagnose and plan treatment for a case provided by your instructor.

To prepare: Review the Learning Resources ontrauma treatment, includingadditional resources from the optional resources/media or from the Suggested Further Reading document. Then read the case provided by your instructor for this week’s Discussion.

By Day 5

Posta 3- to 5-minute recorded video response in which you address the following:

• Provide the full DSM-5 diagnosis for the client. Remember, a full diagnosis should include the name of the disorder, ICD-10-CM code, specifiers, severity, and the Z codes (other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention).Keep in mind a diagnosis covers the most recent 12 months.
• Explain the diagnosis by matching the symptoms identified in the case to the specific criteria for the diagnosis.
• Identify the first area of focus you would address as client’s social worker, and explain your specific treatment recommendations. Support your recommendations with research.
• Explain how you would manage client’s diverse needs, including his co-occurring disorders.
• Describe a treatment plan for client, including how you would evaluation his treatment.

Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Include a transcript and/or edit closed captioning on your video to ensure your presentation is accessible to colleagues of differing abilities. See the document: How to Upload a Video and a Transcript (PDF) in the Week 1 Resources.

By Day 7

Respond to two colleagues who chose a different area of focus in beginning treatment in the following ways:

• Explain how the DSM-5 Z codes (other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention) identified in each post influenced your and your colleague’s decisions.
• Share any insights you gained from watching your colleague’s video.

Note:You are required to create a thread for your initial Discussion post before you will be able to view other colleagues’ postings in this forum.If you have not yet visited the weekly resources and assignments, you should visit that area now to access the complete set of directions and guidelines for this discussion.