Antwone Fisher Psychological Disorder And Treatment Essay Examples

Psychology

The diagnosis for Antwone Fisher was an anger problem, but according to DSM - V, there is no categorization for an anger problem. Based on the symptoms and outbursts that Antwone endured, he was perhaps suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The symptoms included, flashbacks, violent outbursts and seemingly unprovoked acts of violence. The criterion for diagnosing PTSD includes a history of being exposed to the traumatic events that meet a specific criteria and symptoms from the four clusters of symptoms in DSM V.
These events include avoidance, negative alterations of cognitive skills, intrusion, avoidance and difference in moods, as well as the reactions that are present in re-activity and arousal. For each category, two are necessary for a diagnosis. Some of the stressors, or causes of this disorder occur if the sufferer was directly exposed to death, near-death, threatened with actual, or serious injuries, or if they were threatened with sexual violence.
Antwone had undergone all of the above and more. He had witnessed the acts in person, if they learned of the abuse indirectly, in learning that a relative or family member who was close was traumatized. If one particular event involved an actual, or were threatened with death that was accidental or violent. If the individual is exposed to indirect details of the abusive event. This does not include exposure to these events on television, electronic media and pictures or movies.
The symptoms are involuntary, recurrent and intrusive memories. Traumatic nightmares, dissociative reactions such as flashbacks that occur and range from short periods to a complete loss of consciousness, prolonged and intense distress after their traumatic episodes and stimuli that is trauma related. The sufferer will harbor trauma-related feelings or thoughts, external reminders of the abuse, such as places, conversations, people, or even situations.
Sufferers experience negative alterations in their cognition and their moods, which began or became worse after the traumatic experience. They are unable to remember important features of the event or situation, normally dissociative amnesia, which was not caused because of injuries to the head, or drugs or alcohol. They harbor a persistent, yet negative belief and expectation about themselves and the world at large.
They constantly blame themselves for being the cause of the event, or for the resulting consequences. They experience negative, emotions that are trauma-related, such as horror, anger, fear, shame or guilt. They become alienated from their peers and their interests diminish and become detached. Their ability to have positive feelings is severely restricted (Cohen, Deblinger, Mannarino & Steer, 2004).
PTSD has a far-reaching effect on different aspects of an individual’s life. It is a debilitating disorder that can render the sufferer incapacitated when the symptoms occur. It can negatively impact different areas of the sufferer’s life. Mental and physical health, relationships, family and work have been affected by the difficulties that are present with this disorder. Studies have shown that people who suffer from the disorder are at more risk of developing other types of mental disorders.
Sufferers are six times more at risk of getting depression and approximately five times more likely of developing an anxiety disorder. They are also six times more likely to attempt suicide or cause harm to themselves. Their relationships are affected by their outbursts of anger, low self image, numb feelings, reduced or lack of sex drive, negative thoughts, detachment and other symptoms that they suffer from. Their sense of reality is severely impaired, because they are not able to distinguish between reality and fantasy.
They are unable to function in a normal way because of their sporadic acts of violence and aggression and their quality of life is diminished, as they sometimes become recluses and refuse to interact with others. Psychotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for people with PTSD, it can be administered with medication for a more effective way to treat the disorder. Treatment differs with each individual, but the experience of the provider of mental health care can do wonders.
Different treatments may be tested before the correct one for a particular individual is found. If there is substance abuse as a result of the PTSD, then each area should be targeted separately. Psychotherapy is also known as “talk therapy.” A psychiatrist can administer psychotherapy to a sufferer. The sessions can be done individually or in groups. The support from the sufferer’s family and friends is an important aspect of a successful therapy (Walker, 1994). Different types of psychotherapy can assist the sufferers of PTSD.
One type of therapy is used to target the symptoms of PTSD, while other types will focus on job-related, family, social and relationship issues. The different therapies can be combined, depending on the sufferer’s needs. CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is also used for the successful treatment of PTSD and has different components to the sessions. Exposure therapy, in which sufferers are encouraged to face and then control their fears. They are exposed to the trauma, but in a safer way.
Mental imagery, visits to the location or writing down the events. These tools enable the sufferer to cope. Therapists also use cognitive restructuring to treat the symptoms. This type of therapy lends sense to the unpleasant memories. The guilt and shame that the sufferer experience is given a realistic meaning. Stress inoculation training is also used to reduce the effects of the symptoms. It teaches the sufferer to reduce their anxiety. In the same way that cognitive restructuring works, it allows the sufferers to have a positive outlook on their memories. As a last resort, medications can be administered.
FDA approved medications can be prescribed for the disorder. Other treatment options are also available to sufferers, such as their support systems, in which they are encouraged to learn more about trauma and the effects thereof. Employ anger management and relaxation skills, by channeling their anger into other, more beneficial activities. Their support system can be beneficial in many ways. It allows the sufferer to talk over their issues. To delve into what was causing the disorder in the first place and to feel that there is someone who understands and wants to help them (Kaplow, Dodge, Amaya-Jackson & Saxe, 2005).
I learned that sometimes it is better to look at the source of your fear. What an individual fears can seriously hinder their progress. The story teaches of resilience and the ability to bounce back after a proverbial beating. I learned that even if you are down on your luck, it does not mean that you are going to be a failure.Where you are at one point in your life is not a determinant of where you will end up in the future.
If you continue to have a negative outlook on your situation, then it will inadvertently hinder your progress. I learned that sometimes it is better to look for what you want, because if Antwone had known that he had such a large family support system, he would have turned every stone to find them and he would have lived a better quality of life, but at the same time, maybe his circumstances was what determined his outcome. Maybe if he had had a better life, he would not be where he is today.

References

Cohen, J., Deblinger, E., Mannarino, A., & Steer, R. (2004). A Multisite, Randomized Controlled Trial for Children With Sexual Abuse–Related PTSD Symptoms. Journal Of The American Academy Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 43(4), 393-402. doi:10.1097/00004583-200404000-00005
Kaplow, J., Dodge, K., Amaya-Jackson, L., & Saxe, G. (2005). Pathways to PTSD, Part II: Sexually Abused Children. AJP, 162(7), 1305-1310. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.162.7.1305
Walker, L. (1994). PTSD and Child Sexual Abuse. Journal Of Child Sexual Abuse, 2(4), 129-132. doi:10.1300/j070v02n04_13