Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Assignment Example

Preliminary Prospective Problem Statement and Rationale Problem Statement: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a current social problem at a meta-micro level. Thus, PTSD refers to an anxiety disorder that occurs as a result of psychological trauma (Reynolds and Kinney, 2003). Consequently, traumatic events such as death threats, physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological abuse may result in the development of PTSD. Thus, victims of PTSD lose the ability to cope with anxiety. Consequently, victims of PTSD exhibit numerous diagnostic symptoms (Brunet, Birmes and Akerib, 2007). They may experience a reoccurrence of previous traumas through events such as nightmares and flashbacks. In addition, they may also avoid incidences associated with the traumatizing experience. They may also experience anger issues and difficulties with sleep. If unchecked, PTSD can result in immense impacts on social and occupational functioning of the victim. Rationale: Symbolic Interaction Symbolic Interaction relates to the patterns of adjustment and communication among individuals. The system employs anticipatory techniques from verbal communications in predicting different reactions in communication. Consequently, it offers the desired rationale for intervention in PTSD cases. This is owed to the fact that the victims may be occasionally too traumatized to respond to certain critical diagnostic statements. Consequently, there is a need for an effective intervention rationale geared towards improving the response to PTSD victims. Background of Symbolic Interaction Symbolic interaction was developed by two theorists, Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead. Consequently, these two theorists believed that symbolic interaction would be used in the solution of complex social problems such as communication barrier experienced in an attempt to communicate with PTSD victims (Griffin, 2012). Moreover, the theorists also believed human beings engaged extensively in sharing with one another. This sharing, or communication, was mainly performed through talking to one another. Thus, based on the theory, PTSD victims’ need for communication and sharing would be spontaneous. The victims share their traumatizing experiences with other individuals in an effort to be freed from their fears. Therefore, there is a need for an effective intervention process that enhances the ability of the victims of PTSD to pass across information with ease to desired persons. Consequently, symbolic interaction provides a platform for social interaction based on improved interpretation. As outlined, symbolic interaction provides a platform for developed social interaction among different people (Lustig and Koester, 2010). Consequently, these relationships must be based on a real occurrence. In this case, PTSD represents the real occurrence at the heart of the interaction process. Consequently, this occurrence affects the form of interaction developed towards the victims. However, this interaction is based on 3 fundamental issues: People act towards different victims based on the level of attachment towards them The level of attachment results in the social interaction with the victims This attachment can be modified and developed through an interpretive process with the victims Consequently, since people interact with each other based on the definitions attached to different actions, symbolic interaction may be employed in determining various inclinations with respect to different victims (Fullerton and Wang, 2004). Consequently, this helps in enhancing communication among PTSD victims. Thus, through this process, the views of the victims may not be taken for granted or ignored. Consequently, in an effort to enhance communication and understanding, use of various symbols may also be employed. Consequently, with regard to PTSD, symbolic interaction may be effectively employed in eliminating the minding process. This, in turn, enhances the quality of the interaction. However, individuals must play crucial roles in the communication process in order to make it successful. Empirical Information Empirical tests revealed that close contact and interaction with daily activities of participants was crucial for understanding the meaning of their actions and defining various situations. This implies that symbolic interaction represents a micro-level rationale for the interaction of human beings with respect to various situations such as PTSD. Other aspects of the test were deemed to arouse conflicting opinions in regards to certain situations through a series of interruptions. Consequently, this proved that despite their differences, different people shared a common social order. The Fundamentals of Symbolic Interaction Symbolic interaction revolves around certain crucial concepts. These crucial concepts include the following: 1. People should be understood as social beings. This implies that social interaction is critical to the existence of human beings. Consequently, different actions are achieved through a social interaction process. Therefore, PTSD victims also deserve a social platform so as to express themselves. 2. People should be viewed as possessing the ability to think and reason. This implies that not only do human beings embrace social interaction but also self interaction. Therefore, human beings are always in constant interaction with their inner beings. As a result, this process shapes their attitudes and actions. Consequently, there exists a need for constant monitoring of PTSD victims in order to check their actions. 3. Human beings’ environment is defined by unique situations that surround them. Therefore, this implies that different people have different definitions of their environment based on their unique situations. Consequently, PTSD victims’ environments are also uniquely defined. 4. Different situations result in various actions by human beings. Thus, the continuous active thinking process of human beings results in various actions. Therefore, the same situation applies to PTSD victims. 5. Human beings react actively to the environment surrounding them. Consequently, caution should be exercised while dealing with individuals so as to avoid unnecessary confrontation. Thus, following this description, symbolic interaction can be actively involved in the facilitation of social happenings in the society such as the plight of PTSD victims through the following ways according to Carl (2011): Human Agency. This places emphasis on the active and willful character of human beings. Through this processes, different forums can be created towards improving the social life of different people. As a result, this process may go a long way in improving the social lives of numerous victims of PTSD. Interactive Determination. This practice employs procedural determinative processes geared towards establishing the source of disruptions within the social interaction. It analyzes self concepts, roles, attitudes, practices and movements. Thus, through such practices, effective modes of intervention with regard to PTSD victims can be applied based on resulting analysis. Symbolization. This refers to various objects or occurrences that assume certain meanings within an individual’s life. Consequently, different events and occurrences may result in different meanings with regard to different people. Thus, with respect to PTSD victims, certain events may evoke traumatic memories resulting in reoccurrence of the traumatic situations (Kelleher, Arseneault, Harley, Lynch, Cannon and Fitzpatrick, 2008). Therefore, there exists a need for the implementation of suitable interventions so as to check such occurrences. Emergence. This refers to the various transformations that occur within a certain social setting. These transformations are mostly attached to different feelings and emotions. As a result, PTSD victims may experience various emotional and psychological experiences that may result in increased fear and anxiety. Consequently, symbolic interaction provides a platform for the analysis of such occurrences in an effort to help such victims. Theories of Symbolic Interaction Symbolic interaction represents a theoretical framework about the relationship between different variables in a certain context. Thus, the theory can be employed in the analysis and prediction of social contexts. Accordingly, symbolic interaction may be employed in the prediction of various social contexts with respect to the PTSD condition. Therefore, symbolic interaction may also be applied in the conceptualization of various social contexts such as behaviors, populations and different cultures. Other theories emanating from symbolic interaction include Role Theory and Identity Theory. However, these subsequent theories fail to clearly outline concepts and their relationship. As a result, the theories can not be used in the development of a test hypothesis. References Brunet, A., Birmes, P., & Akerib, V. (2007). Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater (PTSD is not overdiagnosed). Canada Journal of Psychiatry, 52(8), 501–2. Carl, J. D. (2011). Think social problems. Boston: Pearson. Fullerton, C., & Wang, U. (2004). Acute Stress Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Depression in Disaster or Rescue Workers. American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(5), 1370–1376. Griffin, E. A. (2012). A first look at communication theory. New York: McGraw-Hill. Kelleher, I., Arseneault, L., Harley, M., Lynch, F., Cannon, M., & Fitzpatrick, C. (2008). Associations between childhood trauma, bullying and psychotic symptoms among a school-based adolescent sample. British Journal of Psychiatry, 193(5), 378–82. Lustig, M. W., & Koester, J. (2010). Intercultural competence: Interpersonal communication across cultures. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Reynolds, L. T., & Kinney, N. J. (2003). Handbook of symbolic interactionism. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press. Read More