Provide specific replies that interact with the thread and foster discussion

Reply Prompt: Provide specific replies that interact with the thread and foster discussion (e.g., assuming an opposing postition or role of a professional in the field, respond to 2 classmates with 3 strategies or considerations for him or her to address). Include a question or questions in your reply to engage your peer in more discussion.

Reference Books for Discussion Board: American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Association Publishing. ISBN: 9780890425558.

Kring, A. M., Johnson, S. L., Davison, G., & Neale, J. (2018). Abnormal psychology: The science and treatment of psychological disorders (14th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 9781119456230.

· APA: pp. 809–816, 189–290

· Kring et al.: chs. 4, 6–7

Topic: Crisis Assessment Question/Prompt: How may an immediate crisis alter a person’s personality, behavior, and/or spirituality? How may this impact how a clinician approaches crisis mental health assessment? What treatment approaches are most effective in trauma-related disorders?

Skylar

Crisis Assessment

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An immediate crisis or traumatic event can alter an individual’s behavior, personality, and spirituality long term, perhaps for life. Kring notes that “trauma-related diagnoses rest on the idea that horrific life experiences can trigger serious psychological symptoms” (2018, p. 207). Trauma related disorders clash enormously against all other DSM diagnosis because it is based just on symptom profile alone. Exposure to the trauma is the one thing is certain, how it affects the person and how the clinician approaches this crisis is modeled after the individual alone. Kring specifically focuses on exposure treatment for PTSD under psychological treatments. By using this treatment, the counselor asks the client face to face of their worst fears. By doing this, both client and counselor can work through fears together, often from less intense to the most intense form of fear for that individual. The most intense often being the trauma or the recurrent of this trauma. By doing this, the client can face their anxiety and fear in a setting that is safe and the ability to avoid is taken away by redirection from the counselor.

When going through an immediate crisis, the client may react several different ways spiritually depending on the trauma. The individual may have thoughts of shame, pity, and anger. One individual may state that everything happens for a reason and decide to move forward while other individual may wonder why they had to go through such trials. It is important for anyone who deals with trauma to not only see a counselor but to also seek into the pages of the Bible and often talking with a pastor can ease the tension of asking “Why me?” “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1Peter 4:12, ESV). This is the verse that I personally always go back to. The world we live in is full of evil and trials and trauma will come. The saying “God will never give you more than you can handle” is not true in my opinion. I think he will give us as Christians more than we can handle. I have always found in the times that I feel like I can’t go on and he has given me too much is the times when I cry out to him and he carries me through.

Kring, A. M., Johnson, S. L., Davison, G., & Neale, J. (2018). Abnormal psychology: The science and treatment of psychological disorders(14thed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Lindsey

DB 2

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A crisis experience can occur at any point in one’s life. There is no time limit for occurrence and each situation is interpreted differently. Whether it is considered a crisis depends upon whether or not the individual experiencing the event deems it as a crisis. Traumatic events such as psychological, sexual, or physical abuse can also be considered a crisis situation. Crises are likely to affect one’s personality and behavior, likely in a negative effect. Those who are usually outgoing and social people could experience withdrawal and isolation. Dissociation or avoidance of the location a crisis occurred is also common. Symptoms of anxiety may also become evident following triggers to the crisis or recurrent memories of the events and emotions associated with the crisis. In regards to behavioral changes, self harm is likely to increase following a crisis or traumatic experience. Whether or not the self injurious behavior is backed by suicidal intent, it is still on the rise following adverse experiences (Kring et al., 2018). In addition to personality and behavioral changes, spiritual changes are likely as well. Some individuals experience traumatic events and experience a greater appreciation for their life. For example, traveling a busy interstate and getting involved in a severe motor vehicle accident and thanking God for sparing your life as opposed to questioning why you were involved and not someone else. Traumatic events or crises could also lead one to become angry at God or not trust Him like they did prior to the incident. One might question how God could say He loves them and then allow them to experience something awful. An example that comes to mind is a mother experiencing the loss of a child. She may question God’s goodness after something horrific. Pslam 138:7 states “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.” Deuteronomy 20:4 states “For the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” These verses discuss God’s promises to never leave His people, to always be with them, to always protect them. This can be easily questioned in the midst of a crisis.

A clinician may want to administer a Mental State Assessment as a part of the initial interview to determine the client’s mentality. This will help to clarify the extent of the crisis and the affect it left on the client. Coping mechanisms or any other method of care the client has tried needs to be discussed as well. This can give grounds for the counselor to determine what methods have been tried and what has been successful or not. Exposure therapy is a validated and recommended means for treatment following traumatic events (Kring et al., 2018)

Kring, A. M., Kyrios, M., Fassnacht, D., Lambros, A., Mihaljcic, T., & Teesson, M. (2018). Abnormal psychology. Milton,        Qld: John Wiley & Sons Australia.

McLain, C. (2020). Mental State Assessment. Lecture Notes.

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