Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Origin: ED130
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Teaching Students with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder --> Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Trauma is something that many people experience but their reaction to it is very personalized and unique in how it can manifest as symptoms.
PTS is a debilitating condition that has undergone a series of changes through extensive studies performed from the Civil war forward. Although the term (Shell Shock, PTSD) have changed throughout the years the sympthoms have remained similar through out every case.
Trauma affects more people than I realized.
In this course I learned that a large amount of the population including men women and children have developed PTSD in response to trauma they endured at one point in their life. Some indications can include but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, irritability and even physical symptoms. Trauma is defines as a deeply depressing or disturbing experience that can be personal or observed. Our job is to help them overcome the challenges that PTSD presents so they can be successful in the classroom and in their future careers.
I learned more about PSTD then I knew and how to recognize it. Having these skills helps with how to handle students' with PSTD
PTSD is known as a silent killer. It's good more people are learning about the difficulties people with PTSD live with
I was a victim advocate for domestic abuse and sexual assault victims and survivors. I have experienced vicarious trauma. I had acquired the tools necessary to stay in that field for as long as I did. Currently, I am in a teaching position and have recognized signs of PTSD in some of my students. I feel my background is helpful in supporting my students and understanding their individual behaviors.
My favorite part of this was reading what everyone else had posted. It is so reassuring to see that the understanding of PTSD has greatly increased. Managing this in the educational setting is important and I am excited to find tools to use in my own practice.
I learned about Vicarious Trauma, People who work with victims of actual trauma that experience trauma almost 2nd hand and I will consider that when working with students form those types of backgrounds.
I have both firsthand and other experience with those with PTSD, being a veteran myself. I appreciate the fact that this course also elucidates the results of the ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences Survey) studies regarding the potential for both psychological and physiological risks for those who have experienced untreated childhood trauma.
I have learned the (slow) process of how PTSD was identified first on the battlefield. It is alarming that soldiers (men) were expected to just keep going and to accept the horrors they witnessed and experienced as merely being part of their duty. I find it baffling that those who tried to discover what was impacting soldiers assumed it was something physical due to weaponry. Further, it was expected that it was something that would go away within a short period of time. It makes me wonder whether those studying the "gross stress reaction" had ever experienced war themselves.
The DSM-II then included “adjustment reaction to adult life” as a condition that some people might suffer from after a traumatic incident in their life to address those who did not have their symptoms "resolve relatively quickly." It wasn't until 1980 that the DSM III identified "PTSD" due to researching returning Vietnam War Veterans, Holocaust survivors, sexual trauma victims and others inks between the trauma of war and post-military civilian life were established. And, further research found that PTSD is relatively common, with data showing that 5 of every 100 American men (5%) and 10 out of every 100 American women (10%) will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime.
As a high school teacher, I was saddened by the statistics that show teens aged 12-18 go through varying kinds and amounts of trauma, but studies show that about 15% to 43% of girls and 14% to 43% of boys go through at least one trauma. Of those teens who have experienced trauma, 3% to 15% of girls and 6% to 15% of boys develop PTSD. Depending on the type of trauma, the incidence of PTSD can increase significantly. The risk factors for developing PTSD increase with the severity of the trauma (National Center for PTSD, 2016).
Additionally, the statistics that outlined the potential impacts of trauma are grim, and as a Work Experience Coordinator, I was especially concerned that my students who have been impacted by trauma could be 3 times more likely to be absent from work, and 3 times more likely to have serious job problems. This means that I need to provide the student as many opportunities to practice these challenges within a work experience with a high level of support to best help prepare them for long-term successful employment and stability.
I found myself surprised that the percentage of males and females suffering from PTSD symptoms were so close. I thought in the past that the numbers for females were higher, but maybe more males are seeking help.
i LEARNED THAT ANY TRAMATIC EVENT WAR OR NOT CAN TRIGGER PTSD OOPS SORRY FOR ALL CAPS LOL.
This is certainly an important topic to understand so we may help these individuals.
I feel I know a lot more about PTSD in adults and children. I didn't understand the whole scope of PTSD, but i feel I have a better grasp on how to deal with students that do go throught this on a daily basis.
This gives me a better understanding of PTSD and how I can help my students suffering from the issues that may arise from this.
I took notes while taking this part of the course. What I found interesting was the 5.2 million adults that may develop PTSD. I learned about the various military terms used for PTSD and their evolution of terms. Realizing that there is a lot of childhood trauma is saddening. When I think about the generations today, they are being more coddled which I think in my opinion is leading to more trauma. There is a higher divorce rate now than before which leads to these traumatic events in children and young adults. High school can be difficult for some while for others it is fun experience. As going through this module, one can see that if trauma begins in early childhood, it could continue on into adulthood which makes it difficult to cope and become functional without help.
This helped with my understandings of different types of PTSD there are out there. I'm glad it is always being updated, so it helps us be more aware if and when it is present. It can make such a huge impact on someone's life when it is treated or sought out.
PTSD blanket has gotten extremely large. Good to know.
