Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Essay

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the psychological and physiological consequences of exposure to traumatic events (Jennings). The traumatic events for this disorder are on a spectrum and can be different for many people meaning there are different levels of traumatic events for different people. The criteria for PTSD in the DSM-5 are exposure to a traumatic event, dissociative symptoms, re-experiencing events, avoidance of possible triggers, increase in anxiety, disturbances, negative moods, and hyperarousal. All of these symptoms need to be persistent for one or more months and result in a decrease in functionality. Many possible traumas can lead to PTSD including assault, car accidents, war, and natural disasters (Jennings). Even

When a person has PTSD, sometimes some triggers can be associated with the event that “reopens the wound”. This form of treatment specifically, focuses on changing the associations to something more positive. Emotional processing theory and social cognitive theory can work together to help treat an individual's PTSD. Social cognitive theory focuses on changing a person's mindset from negative to positive. Exposing a client to the triggers can also be an effective form of treatment. Rather than flooding a client with triggers, systematic Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the psychological and physiological consequence of exposure to traumatic events (Jennings). The traumatic events for this disorder are on a spectrum and can be different for many people meaning there are different levels of traumatic events for different people. The criteria for PTSD in the DSM-5 are exposure to a traumatic event, dissociative symptoms, re-experiencing events, avoidance of possible triggers, increase in anxiety, disturbances, negative moods, and hyperarousal. All of these symptoms need to be persistent for one or more months and result in a decrease in functionality. Many possible traumas can lead to PTSD including assault, car accidents, war, and natural disasters (Jennings). Even with exposure to some of these events, PTSD may not occur due to trauma type and

Relating this to lower socioeconomic status in Black communities, without the finances to afford this care, many will continue to worsen. Other socioeconomic effects in Black communities relate to educational level and employment. Studies have shown that 39% of African Americans live in poverty which is about double the rate of Whites. With this high poverty rate, there are low educational levels because people can’t afford to get a good education. Without the education most employers are looking for, many African Americans struggle to get a good-paying job, which includes healthcare. This circle of discrimination leads to high numbers of PTSD in African Americans. In some heavily populated African American communities with lower income, there is a lot of violence which can be a factor in PTSD (APA). With exposure to traumatic events in the early years of childhood, lack of support from the community, and limited amounts of money to get the treatment needed, the cycle of PTSD