Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Psychodynamic Theories: the Nature of the Condition and Treatment - Research Paper Example

 Introduction The identification of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has driven researchers to conduct studies on the nature of the condition, its causes, effects, and treatment. Such an increase on empirical information on the disorder has compelled the development of wide-ranging theories on PTSD (Mayes & Roberts, 2005). The Psychodynamic Theory has been regarded as one of the oldest psychological theories associated with this condition, considering individuals to be pulled together by a dynamic that generally begins during the early stages of childhood and continuously grows throughout the next phases of their lives. This paper aims to provide an overview of both the nature of posttraumatic stress disorder; how the psychodynamic theory is related to the condition; and how psychodynamic treatment is used to significantly reduce the risks for PSTD (Mcleod & Kettner-Polley, 2005). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD): An Overview Described as a set of symptoms that focus on an individual’s characteristics, posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD) occurs following exposure to a situation or event that critically threatens and endangers the person or anyone that is very close to him or her. Generally, such characteristic signs include shock, fear and defenselessness; furthermore, going through the same experience again as well as avoiding anything that can be related to the experience can become factors that can trigger an individual to be inflicted with PTSD (Berg, 2006). Studies have shown that at least 25% of children have gone through at least one event that can possibly be traumatic and extremely distressing while certain occurrences including exposure to unfavorable events such as rape, family abuse and violence, war, disasters caused by natural forces or a dangerous state of bad health have all been related with the signs and symptoms of PSTD. In a number of adult samples, it has been found that there is greater occurrence of PSTD symptoms among the female population compared to that of males (Berg, 2006). However, through the findings of Yehuda & McFarlane (2005), it has been suggested that being psychologically traumatized will not immediately result to PTSD; rather it will generate other symptoms and conditions. It has also been shown that PTSD seldom occurs exclusively. Additionally, PSTD can be passed on and inherited among members of the same family while an individual who has had previous experiences of other psychiatric disorders is also likely to experience a longer period as well as higher intensity level of PSTD symptoms (Brewin, Andrews & Rose, 2001). Compared to adults, children and teenagers are more vulnerable to the threats of their surrounding environment. Being directly exposed to the disturbance can affect their central nervous system and have a considerable long-term impact on them; this can potentially affect their growth and development in the coming years. Being open to traumatic experiences can further open the possibility for these individuals to be more prone to and be defenseless amidst future difficulties. Moreover, even normal situations and typical changes in their lives can eventually become overpowering for such traumatized individuals. The process of acquiring knowledge through reasoning and perception can also have an effect on PTSD as children of a younger age who are more likely to presume that they are to blame for a particular traumatic experience and have a lesser possibility of applying useful coping strategies (Brewin et al, 2001). Psychological Processes of PTSD When individuals experience PSTD, several psychological effects such as a change in one’s memory function have been recognized. This may be comparable to those manifested by patients suffering from depression (Buckley, Blanchard & Neill, 2008). Stressful and disturbing memories as well as flashbacks about a particular traumatic experience have also been among the effects of PTSD. These memories are also more likely to be disorganized (Foa, Molnar & Cashman, 2005). Dissociation has also been linked with PTSD; this refers to the separation of one’s emotions, mental processes and understanding from the rest of the mind, with the individual implicitly using this as a defense mechanism. Slight dissociative reactions are normal when one is under stress (Morgan et al., 2005) while dissociative symptoms are related to trauma’s severity level, feelings of defenselessness and fear of death (Reynolds & Brewin, 2006). An individual’s perception of threats is normally a strong factor that influences and predicts state of difficulty, psychological suffering, and failure to have a positive medical reaction to any treatment (Alvarez-Conrad, Zoellner & Foa, 2006). Moreover, negative thoughts and beliefs about one’s self and capabilities and surrounding people are intensified when traumatized individuals experience PTSD, compared to those who do not have the disorder. One’s negative beliefs do not necessarily occur during the traumatic event itself; rather these are the resulting outcomes once the threat has passed (Alvarez-Conrad et al, 2006). Psychodynamic Theory: An Overview Using the psychodynamic theory, more emphasis is placed on the possibility that problems occurring during adulthood is directly associated with the experiences that one has had during his or her early stages of childhood. Professionals who apply this theory are more inclined to consider individuals and their current state as an outcome of how their parents raised and looked after them as children. The primary aim of such theory is to put focus on resolving all differences within themselves as well as between themselves and their parents. Moreover, the psychodynamic theory puts forward the belief that an ego exists within an individual, acting as mediator. There is also the existence of the superego, which is similar to one’s conscience in that it represents what is just and right. There is also the id, which is more inclined to drive against the thinking process of the conscience. When these are put together, they create the personality (Roseborough, 2006). Psychodynamic theory suggests that the maturity and development of one’s character can be seen in relation to effectively going through development stages as children, in which the mental and emotional aspects of sexuality and sexual development are established. This is also known as the psychosexual stage. Because of such beliefs, majority of adults tend to not have a clear idea of why they are placed in unfavorable situations, and consequently fail to identify the signs and symptoms of mental disorders (Abela, Sakellaropoulo & Taxel, 2007). It has also been believed that mental illness is the outcome of ineffective progress during one’s development as a child, which subsequently leads to problems associated with the formation of his or her personality. More often, there is greater emphasis on aggression which is to be considered in most cases, as the unconscious motive for human behavior. For example, in cases where the superego of an individual has a stronger force than it really should have while ego is not capable of working against its demands, this may lead to the individual becoming a perfectionist or inclined towards obsessive-compulsive behavior. These processes are primarily unconscious and transpire as conflicts that are settled during childhood; therefore, an individual does not have a conscious awareness or understanding of the reason for his actions in lieu of such conflicts (Abela et al., 2007). In a number of ways, psychodynamic theories are associated with relationships. Though the original theory placed greater emphasis on the internal aspects of the human mind, certain changes have been incorporated in psychodynamic theories to allow them to be more extensive. Such ideas include a wider understanding that relationships between people can be associated with the experience of the human mind. Furthermore, the application of psychodynamic theories aims to identify how relationships can form one’s internal world, particularly how experiences with other people can be viewed as characteristics of individual personality (Shepard & Brew, 2005). In addition, psychodynamic theories also relate to how the internal world can influence relationships, particularly how these affect individuals’ understanding of their experiences with other people. There are three basic ideas incorporated into psychodynamic theories- first is the understanding that personality formation occurs even during childhood where there is the experience of early relationships. Second is that these early relationships are considered as a depiction of one’s self in relationship with others which consequently guide experiences with other people. These are developed during further interactions with the surrounding people. Third is that when changes occur in an individual’s feelings and way of thinking, these are often attained in the context of interpersonal relationships (Shepard & Brew, 2005). Application of Psychodynamic Theory on PTSD The use of psychodynamic theories is primarily focused on a developmental point of view, as relationships established during one’s childhood are considered to have a great impact in future relationships. In the case of traumatized victims experiencing PTSD, these individuals may have obtained such condition from previous experiences or early relationships with family, particularly their parents. The role of attachment is underscored in early relationships particularly between a child and his or her caregiver (Meehan & Levy, 2009). The motivation of the child towards creating a bond with the caregiver is primarily a means for survival; this form of attachment behavior is necessary to retain the closeness to the caregiver and ensure the protection and satisfaction of the child’s needs. When the caregiver is highly capable of providing care and attention for the child, the child will be able to internalize a strong sense of security as a result. However, when the caregiver fails to provide such needs and wants of the child or is more apt to display adverse and unfavorable behavior, the child will instead feel a sense of danger and threat. When such behaviors are done repeatedly, it will develop object representations, which are mental representations of one’s self during the process of establishing emotional relationships with other people (Meehan & Levy, 2009). Since not all children are capable of internalizing secure relationships, this results in repercussions to the development of the personality of the child. That is, early experiences may disturb the child’s sense of security, and is influenced by the developmental stage in which such disturbances occur. For example, when a child is neglected or inflicted upon by ill treatment, the child may internalize self-representation that is depicted by guilt, uncertainty, and irrelevance which consequently leads to defenselessness and distress. Through studies of PTSD, it was found that children and teenagers are more vulnerable to the dangerous risks of their surrounding environment (Choi, Klein & Lee, 2009) and similar to that of the psychodynamic theory, negative experiences may have a significant impact on their psychological growth and development in the future. People who have PTSD have difficulties in dealing with normal situations in their daily lives (Mayes & Roberts, 2005). Using the psychodynamic theory, such challenges arise due to early childhood relationships and experiences that can significantly affect personality development. This includes the ability to communicate and interact with others. Furthermore, people having PTSD are known to have negative beliefs and attitudes towards themselves and other people surrounding them (Morgan et al., 2005). According to the psychodynamic theory, such negative thoughts and feelings can still be changed through several courses of action such as a change in behavior, internal reflections, and personal experiences. Representations may also be altered depending on the varying nature of relationships for a period of time. For example, in the case of individuals having PTSD due to neglect or violence from parents, redefining their relationships with their parents as they enter the stage of adulthood can possibly be matched up with the change in the way these relationships are represented (Meehan & Levy, 2009). Despite their effectiveness on many patients, treatments for PTSD have been shown to have a low level of positive response from patients as well as high rates of dropout. Schottenbauer, Glass, Arnkoff & Gray (2008) strongly believe that the psychodynamic approach can help reduce the effects of trauma on PTSD patients, particularly those of more complicated PTSD conditions. Their evidence implies that treatments using psychodynamic approaches can possibly lead to an improvement in one’s morale and self-esteem; an increase in the ability to determine effective reactions; internalization of working models of relationships that are of greater security; as well as an improvement in socially communicating and interacting with others. Furthermore, it has been found out that there is continuous progress and improvement even after the psychodynamic psychotherapy has ended. Conclusion For a number of decades, there has been great interest as to how trauma can psychologically affect individuals, particularly children and adults. Posttraumatic disorder (PTSD) is a condition in which individuals exhibit certain characteristics due to their exposure to a particular event that may have threatened their lives. The psychodynamic theory can be related to the PTSD in terms of how these individuals’ personalities are influenced by early childhood experiences and relationships. The latter has an impact on their future psychological growth and development; specifically, these affect their interpersonal relationships as well as how they depict themselves within these contexts of relationship. Using the psychodynamic theory on PTSD patients, these individuals have suffered such a condition primarily due to their childhood experiences and the relationships that they have established during these times. 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