The Benefits of Family Members - Research Paper Example

? THESIS - The Benefits Of Family Members And Loved Ones' Presence In The ER During A Situation Appear To Outweigh The Possible Negative EffectsOf Witnessing Such A Traumatic Event In Regards To The Patient And Family Members And Loved Ones Introduction Traumatic events represent any situation that frames fundamental grounds for a person for experiencing a strong and emotional reaction that entails possible interference within the minds of a person. This further hinders that person’s capability to function generally at work as well as at home. Traumatic experiences reflect events that fall generally out of the normal lifestyle. Furthermore, these events incite strong emotions, fear and rage within an individual. Presence of family members as well as loved ones during traumatic code situation creates an environment of care and love that in turn affects the mindset of the person being affected by a traumatic event. It has been further revealed that traumatic event creates a negative atmosphere as well as situation that can be overcome with the presence of family members as well as loved ones (Shepell.fgi, 2012). Thesis Statement This research essay entails a comprehensive and evidence based study of negative effects as well as aspects of traumatic events. It further reveals the influence of code situation with respect to traumatic event. The benefits rendered due to the presence of family members along with the loved ones in the emergency room (ER) during a code situation has been evaluated and it is aimed to be determined if this presence can outweigh possible negative effects. Negative Effects of Traumatic Events Traumatic events bring about a stark set of negative effects, which create an adverse psychological and physiological impact on suffering individuals. Soon after the occurrence of a traumatic event, the person being affected experiences shock as well as numbness. He/she becomes fearful along with exhausted after going through a harsh traumatic event that has occurred (Shepell.fgi, 2012). Influence of Code Situation Code represents the situation which a patient faces within critical emergency room. It further reflects a critical condition of patient within emergency ward. In view of clinical grounds of trauma, code reflects the capability of a person to route it. Traumatic symptoms encompass characteristics such as detachments, reenactments and hallucinations. According to a research study, it has been further revealed that trauma withholds structural sympathies with respect to code. Furthermore, related to code, it has been explained as a channel that will help in understanding, representing as well as intervening a traumatic event. Code is principally viewed as a channel through which a traumatic experience passes from its suppressed position to conscious countenance. While transferring of traumatic event, it is not trapped within involuntary reenactments as well as obsessive repetitions related to traumatic experiences (Blanchard, 2008). In this regard, it is further determined that traumatic events lead to a numerous internal changes within the family setting. These changes mainly reveal the change of outlook with respect to life and expectation about future. Recovery from setbacks due to traumatic events within individuals varies from early recovery to prolonged years of recoveries. In accordance with traumatic events, it has been revealed that family plays an important role in overcoming traumatic experiences. Numerous aspects such as family background, the severity of traumatic event, family support and early adaptation of family members with respect to a traumatic event play an imperative role in order to stabilize the surroundings of a person facing critical scenario in terms of sustenance. Thus, code situation represents the urgency of traumatic event that has occurred recently (Shepell.fgi, 2012). Effects of the Traumatic Events Traumatic events differ for different persons. For a few individuals, a small emotional loss can be a traumatic event. It is considered as a perceptional situation that depends upon the perception of an individual. In terms of code situation with respect to emergency room (ER), trauma reflects the mindset of the person who undergoes a critical situation. According to a research study, it has been further revealed that critical patients within emergency room remain under a disturbed as well as distorted state of mind (Sanderson, n.d.). While going through a stage of evolution related to conscious as well as unconscious reaction patterns, human beings manage to handle stressful along with threatening situations. However, under traumatic pressure or chronic stress, both brain and body become hyperactive along with over functioning. Furthermore, traumatic situations that relate to danger such accidental scenarios are of stern consideration in this regard. Traumatic situations such as natural calamity or that has been created by humans inculcate dangerous situations that further affect the life of normal people and they react to it proactively. In view of traumatic events, consequences of trauma reflect the absence of self-worth as well as respect, absence of continuity, overwhelming feelings and helplessness. Traumatic experiences are mainly responsible for creating painful reactions (West, 2006). Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) mainly reflect the conditions that are generally caused on witnessing a deep emotional unexpected traumatic event. Furthermore, it has been revealed that ASD is generally considered to be more immediate as well as short-term response with respect to traumatic event. It has been further revealed that if ASD is prolonged for a longer period, the next phase PTSD starts. Traumatic symptoms related to ASD reflect disconnection, temporary amnesia along with facing struggle in experiencing pleasure. Considering effects of traumatic events, PTSD is a part of it. Indications of PTSD inculcate emotional numbness, irritability, anxiety and violent behavior. PTSD represents the continuation of traumatic events for a prolonged period. Humans within the stage of PTSD generally face sleep disturbances and isolation. Traumatic events lay immense influences over daily routine work of such people. Concerning the effects of traumatic events, it is important to distinct ASD and PTSD. It has been further revealed that early recovery can be accomplished in case of ASD whereas people transcended to the stage of PTSD take a prolonged period for recovery. According to a research study, the impact of traumatic event is cumulative and it gets added up the number of times a person faces a traumatic situation. However, if trauma is left unaddressed for a prolonged period, it significantly affects the health, behavior along with leading to certain social problems. Trauma is generally linked with hallucination, depression and suicidal tendencies. Traumatic patients are prone to societal, intellectual as well as emotional impairment. Thus, this study focuses on the adverse effects of traumatic events especially in the ER upon a human being (Hembree, 2007). Critical Analysis of Benefits of Presence of Family Members and Loved Ones upon Negative Effects of Traumatic Events Benefits of the Presence of Family Members and Loved Ones Impact of traumatic event is far-reaching than the actual disaster caused by preliminary destruction. One of the critical code situations can entail the tenure of resuscitation, where the presence of family members helps the critical patient to recover from such a code situation. Numerous surveys have been conducted with respect to the presence of family members and loved ones within emergency room which have depicted that they facilitate the critical person to recover. Initially, there was rejection and complaints from the hospital departments about the presence of family members as well as the loved ones within emergency room, as it can cause disturbances. Concerning the presence of family members within emergency room, a few survey reports have revealed that the presence of family members within emergency room does not cause any disturbances for the medical team (Sanderson, n.d.). The presence of family members as well as loved ones initiates a sense of feeling within the patient related to code situation. This further helps the patients to realize their loss and further helps the patient or trauma member to recover from the present sate. Presence of family members further promotes communication within family members as well as the medical staff. In accordance with the presence of loved ones within emergency room, it further accelerates satisfaction with respect to patient care irrespective of outcomes (Sanderson, n.d.). It has been noted that presence of loved ones and family members develop a sense of confidence and will power within the patient. It further helps the patient to have an emotional feeling and support from loved ones. Contextually, family members feel as an active participant. Moreover, family members initiate spiritual connectedness with respect to the patient (Baumhover &Hughes, 2009). Furthermore, it has been revealed that traumatic events drastically have an impact upon the day-to-day activities of life. Effects of traumatic events also act to alter family conditions, along with causing a shift in the responsibilities and bringing about strains in prevailing relationships. With regard to a traumatic event, it lays a drastic impact over the major aspects of family life. The changes as well as problems that mainly occur in a family usually do not hamper working environment or other areas of life. Family plays an important role during a traumatic situation. It has been further revealed that traumatic events change communication patterns, emotions, role dispersals and caring within family. To overcome a traumatic situation, there exist numerous processes. An individual affected by traumatic situation must be given certain amount of time to adapt to such an adverse situation. In such situations, family and the loved ones’ help the persons affected by trauma to recover early along with providing them support and care to acclimatize to such critical situations. In order to recover at the earliest after facing such as critical scenario, it is necessary to communicate with family members and loved ones. Furthermore, family members can help the affected person in coping up with prevailing situation by giving care as well as support which is difficult to get from a stranger. To reduce the stress level of a trauma patient, family members try to involve themselves for sharing the real facts with them, about losses and the circumstances that they faced with respect to traumatic situation. Furthermore, family members and the loved ones’ can help the affected member to get reorganized, to develop new dreams and to lead life in a new way. These factors help the person suffering from trauma to recover at the earliest (Inslicht, McCaslin & Marmar, 2010). According to a research study, it has been revealed that attention is required related to belief systems, administrative patterns and communique processes which can foster the reduction in terms of vulnerability as well as risk for recovering from traumatic setback. Belief system of a family represents cultural and spiritual along with the traditional system that are prevalent within a family. In this respect, family traditions, belief systems and culture play an important role with regard to the early recovery of a trauma patient especially in emergency room (ER) setting. It becomes important for the family members to contextualize pain of the trauma patient to alleviate the suffering by a considerable extent. A sense of coherence and cooperation must be provided to the affected member in order to overcome a traumatic incident at an earliest. For instance, in case of natural calamity, family members stand as a pillar for each other and develop confidence among them to fight against the adverse situation (Kauffman, 2002; Weaver & Clum, 1993). The presence of family members and loved ones can signify existence of a positive outlook. For a trauma patient, hope and support become the most important parts during traumatic situations. Hope and support act as a fuel for rebuilding life and to overcome adverse effects of traumatic situations. Family members help in decision making for absorption of the opportunity to make life much better (Reinhard, Given, Petlick & Bemis, 2006). Critical Analysis of the Positive Effects Due To Presence of Family Member and The Loved One’s Outweighs the Negative Effects of Traumatic Situation Concerning traumatic situation, it drastically affects the family bonding and relation. According to certain survey reports, it has been revealed that the presence of family members and loved ones within the emergency room brings about a positive feeling within the critical patient. Furthermore, it has been revealed that during the code situation within the emergency room, family members and loved ones help the patient to feel comfortable. Furthermore, it helps the patient to recover at an earliest from the present critical state. Therefore, the presence of family members and loved ones within the emergency ward has been initiated by many of the health care units (Sanderson, n.d.). It creates conflicts, disconnection, distorting situations and depression. An affected trauma member is in state of disturbed mind and can readily take any adverse step. It becomes important for family members and the loved ones to develop their positive feeling and to motivate the suffering individual to lead life in a new. Family bonding and care of loved one’s drastically affects mindset of such affected traumatic members. Family of trauma survivors frames an important part in transforming their negative mindset into positivity (McClenathan, Torrington & Uyehara, 2002). It has been revealed that the presence of family members and loved ones has created a positive impact that has successfully outweighed negative effects of traumatic incident. Moreover, it has been revealed that a family spends more time with affected member that helps in free and effective communication between trauma survivor and family member, which further facilitates the affected member to cope up with the prevailing adverse situation (Walsh, 2007). Conclusion Traumatic events lay an immense negative impact over human beings. Traumatic events differ with respect to the perception from person to person. Furthermore, it has been revealed that traumatic event affects a person’s normal workout. A trauma survivor remains under depression and mental disturbance that affects the daily routine. In this context, it has been revealed that trauma survivor remains distorted, disturbed and depressed. From the overall study, it is ascertained that family members help trauma patients to recover at an earliest. Family members and loved ones develop a positive feeling within the sufferer from a traumatic experience along with providing a sense of motivation to start life in a new and a better way. References Blanchard, L. A. (2008). Traumatic event exposure and panic vulnerability among youth: the moderating. US: ProQuest. Baumhover, N., & Hughes, L. (2009). Spirituality and support for family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitations in adults. American Journal of Critical Care, 18(4), pp. 357-366. Hembree, L. (2007). Reclaiming your life from a traumatic experience: a prolonged exposure. New York: Oxford University Press. Inslicht, S. S., McCaslin, S. E., & Marmar, C. R. (2010). Family psychiatric history, peritraumatic reactivity, and posttraumatic stress symptoms: a prospective study of police. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 44(1), pp. 1-25. Kauffman, J. (2002). Loss of the assumptive world: a theory of traumatic loss. New York: Routledge. McClenathan, B. M., Torrington, K. G., & Uyehara, C. F. T. (2002). Family Member Presence during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Survey of US and International Critical Care Professionals. Special Reports, pp. 2204-2211. Reinhard, S. C., Given, B., Petlick, N. H., & Bemis, A. (2006). Chapter 14. Supporting family caregivers in providing care. Family Caregiving & Caregiver Assessment, pp. 1-64 Shepell.fgi. (2012). How a traumatic event can affect you. Retrieved from http://www.viu.ca/humanresources/documents/HowaTraumaticEventCanAffectYou.pdf Sanderson, S. (n.d.).Family Presence in the ICU. Retrieved from http://hsc.unm.edu/som/programs/BATCAVE/docs/Family%20Presence%20in%20the%20ICU-FINAL.pdf Walsh, F. (2007). Traumatic loss and major disasters: strengthening family and community resilience. Family Process, 46, pp. 207–227. Weaver, T. L., & Clum, G. A. (1993). Early family environments and traumatic experiences associated with borderline personality disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61(6), pp.1068-1075. West, H. (2006). After the crisis initiative: healing from trauma after disasters. White Paper, pp. 1-19. Read More