Medical Simulation Trains Counselors to Treat PTSD Symptoms

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition brought on by a stressful or distressing event, affects as many as 7.7 million Americans aged 18 and over (source: The National Institute of Mental Health). Common symptoms may include severe anxiety, nightmares and sleeplessness, and flashbacks, as well as uncontrollable recollections of the event, leading sufferers to feel frightened and stuck in "fight-or-flight" response mode even when they're no longer in danger, and often long after the event occurs.

When a person experiences a traumatic event, a clinician can provide a detailed health assessment and determine whether PTSD is the correct diagnosis. Recovery options may include medication, involvement in social support groups, and perhaps most importantly, counseling. In fact, counseling is so essential to treatment that some graduate counseling programs now offer course tracts specifically related to PTSD therapy.

These counseling programs often use role-playing or standardized patient-based medical simulation education to train counselors to address the specific needs of trauma victims. In these sessions, a trained actor (otherwise known as a standardized patient, or SP) will portray the emotional and physical symptoms associated with the condition. The counselor will then develop their skills and learn proper assessment and treatment techniques.

While PTSD was first brought to public attention when First World War military veterans were diagnosed with "shell shock," andit's still largely associated with soldiers, it can also be triggered by such diverseevents as sexual or bodily assault, torture or kidnapping, mugging, vehicular accidents, or natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes, or floods. Consequently, people of all races, ethnicities, ages, and genders may experience PTSD following a trauma. PTSD and anxiety disorders may then be linked to wider issues of mental health and cultural expectation. It's necessary that students become sensitive to individual needs andmaster skills in a variety of therapy techniques, ensuring the right course of treatment for every patient.

Children and teenagers may also experience PTSD. In addition to the triggering traumatic events previously mentioned, children can be vulnerable to PTSD brought on by neglect, and physical, sexual, or psychological abuse. Counseling professionals will often work with state and county child protection services to place the child into care and begin treatment. A counselor trained through medical simulation will know how to address the appearance \of PTSD in children of varying age groups. But time is of the essence.The ability for students to counsel childrensoon after a trauma may prevent the development of further mental health issues, as well as later behavioral or substance abuse problems.

PTSD may carry a greater stigma among armed services members than other groups. When treating veterans, it's important that students deliver the message that PTSD sufferers aren't alone, and that with counseling, it's very possible to have a full recovery. Medical simulation trained counselors will work with trauma victims – veterans, children, and all those in-between – to help them understand their thoughts and feelings, overcome fear and doubt, and diminish possible suicide ideation so that they can live positive, healthy lives.

Author Bio: The author of the article has extensive experience in the field of Medical Simulation Training and EMS A-V Simulation.

The writer is an expert in the field of music gifts with focus on Musical Jewelry Boxes & Musical Gift.