PTSD  example  (James Ameen) 

Thesis: "We  must  learn to understand Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ), empathize with  PTSD  survivors, and encourage them to receive appropriate treatment." 

Introduction

Attention-getter

* I will play a scene from PBS "A Soldier's Heart" to understand how the consequences of untreated Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can affect a family.

Preview

* I will explain what  PTSD  is (related to military war veterans) from PBS "A Soldier's Heart."

* I will also reveal how the definition of  PTSD  has expanded to represent more than just military war veterans.

* I will reveal a website that provides the signs, symptoms and common medical treatments for  PTSD. 

* I will reveal several videos that are helpful to understand the consequences of  PTSD, specifically regarding rape and war survivors.

* I will show two videos clips from "Ground Truth" (regarding war survivors suffering from  PTSD), "Deliver Us From Evil" (regarding rape survivors suffering from  PTSD) and "Hope Floats" (regarding children and trauma).

* We will discuss how we learn to empathize with  PTSD  survivors and urge them to seek appropriate treatment and healing.

* We will discuss what creative lifestyle choices a  PTSD  survivor can choose to help him or her overcome  PTSD symptoms, in addition to advocating medical treatments. 

* Overall, we must take  PTSD  seriously if it affects our lives in some way. 

 

Body

I. It is important to understand Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

    A. The PBS documentary  The Soldier's Heart  can help us understand  PTSD  as it applies to war veterans.

        1. In the Civil War, those suffering from ongoing psychological war stress were said to be suffering from  nostalgia  or  soldier's heart.

        2. In World War 1, the condition was called  shell shock. 

        3. In Word War 2, the condition was called  battle fatigue.

        4. In the Vietnam War, 1 in 3 USA war veterans had  post-Vietnam syndrome. 

        5. After years of study (after Vietnam), The American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (4th edition, 1994, with revisions in the year 2000) or the DSM-IV-TR (# 309.81) revealed a term that encompassed both psychological and biological conditions (or symptoms) due to combat stress, or  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ). 

    B. According to the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the definition and explanation of  PTSD includes many other issues. 

(Taken from this website: http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_what_is_ptsd.html)

        1. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) is an anxiety disorder that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. 

            a. A traumatic event is something horrible and scary that you see or that happens to you. 

            b. During this type of event, you think that your life or others' lives are in danger. 

            c. You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening. 

        2. Anyone who has gone through a life-threatening event can develop  PTSD. 

            a. These events can include: 

                * combat or military exposure, 

                * child sexual or physical abuse, 

                * terrorist attacks, 

                * sexual or physical assault, 

                * serious accidents (such as a car wreck), and 

                * natural disasters (such as fire, tornado, hurricane, flood or earthquake). 

        

Transition: I have discussed what  PTSD  is, and now I will discuss films that help us understand how  PTSD  affects  individuals and their relationships. We will discuss problems and solutions associated with  PTSD  and how these issues apply to the films (as examples). 

 

II. There are films that reveal how individuals and their close relationships are affected by  PTSD.

    A. There are several films (or documentaries) that may be helpful regarding how  PTSD  affects relationships.

        1. As examples, these films can help us understand how child rape, and subsequent adult onset  PTSD, affects relationships: PBS  Hand of God,  HBO's  Twist of Faith,   Deliver Us From Evil  (Lionsgate), and  Born in Brothels (THINKfilm).

        2. These films can help us understand how war, and subsequent onset  PTSD, affects relationships: PBS  The Soldier's Heart,  PBS NOW and News Hour specials on  PTSD,  The Ground Truth  (Focus Features),  Soldiers Speak Out  (Empowerment Project), and MTV's special on  PTSD. 

        3. I will show several clips from some of the films mentioned. 

            a. What are the signs, symptoms (e.g., possible problems) of  PTSD  from these films?

            b. What are the possible relationship solutions regarding  PTSD?

    B. After watching the video clips and after our discussion, discuss how this issue applies to your life.

        1. In your family, work, or any relationship context, how do you empathize and help  PTSD  survivors?

        2. In addition to medical treatments, what are possible creative lifestyle choices that can help  PTSD  survivors cope with their symptoms? 

            a. For example, in my classroom context, I choose to use videos and classroom discussions to try and induce creativity and critical thinking patterns that may be therapeutic for students. 

        3. If you had  PTSD, what would you do to live a normal and healthy life?

    C. Finally, trauma can be extended to more common issues such as children dealing with divorce. 

        1. Here is a clip from the movie Hope Floats that reveals how trauma can affect children. 

        2. Notice how the mother is able to help the child avoid  PTSD. 

        3. What other "traumas" that may develop into  PTSD  are you concerned about regarding adults and children? 

 

Conclusion

* I have revealed what  PTSD  is through the PBS documentary The Soldier's Heart.

* I have revealed how the definition has expanded to include other traumas such as rape.

* I have revealed films that are helpful to understand how  PTSD  affects relationships.

* I showed two clips from the films Deliver Us From Evil, and Ground Truth.

* These films reveal how emotional and overwhelming the affects of  PTSD  can be on individuals and their relationships.

* We discussed the possible signs and symptoms (e.g., possible problems) regarding  PTSD  revealed in these films.

* We discussed the possible relationship solutions regarding  PTSD  (e.g., empathy rather than apathy).

* We discussed how we might apply these solutions in our lives.

* I advocate that you understand  PTSD. We should try and motivate the  PTSD  survivor to seek the appropriate treatment for his or her health, and for the well-being of those people who associate with the  PTSD  survivor.

* Especially, since many of those suffering from PTSD may never come forward and seek help. ( I will refer to the website link   http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24183188  )