My Psychological Experience Essay Example

a sense of composure, acknowledging that I had exhausted all possible efforts. Amidst this chaos, a thought lingered, 'What is unfolding?'.

Examination of Relevant Literature

My quest for scholarly articles that could relate to my psychological encounter proved arduous, leaving me increasingly frustrated and somewhat powerless.

During my search for articles, I came across one that immediately caught my attention. The title of the article was exactly what I was looking for and seemed almost too good to be true. It delves into the connection between trauma exposure, emotional reactivity, and the potential severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a car accident. With such a promising title, I had high hopes that this article would provide answers to all of my questions.

The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of a predisposition or increased vulnerability to psychological trauma in individuals. The researchers aimed to investigate how emotional reactivity, exposure to trauma, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were interconnected among survivors of motor vehicle accidents. It was anticipated that emotional reactivity and trauma exposure would have a significant impact on the severity of PTSD symptoms. The assessment of trauma exposure involved calculating a total score and an index that took into account various factors such as threat to life, injuries sustained, emotions experienced, dissociation experiences, and material losses. There were two groups included in the study: sample A1 comprised 458 participants who had experienced an accident within the past six months, while sample A2 consisted of 674 participants who had been in an accident between six and twenty-four months prior to data collection.

The study analyzed adults who

were in motor vehicle accidents, whether they were drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. The most frequent type of accidents they experienced involved cars and motorcycles colliding. Men comprised the majority in both groups A1 and A2. Information on individuals who survived motor vehicle accidents was gathered from the Polish National Police Headquarters' database of traffic incidents.

All participants received letters informing them about the study and offering therapy if needed. The survey was conducted in their homes by professional pollsters, and participants completed self-assessed questionnaires. In addition to therapy, participants were also compensated for their involvement. The procedure was approved by the local Science Ethics Committee. Results indicate that individuals with high emotional reactivity experienced the most severe PTSD symptoms when faced with highly threatening accident scenarios.

Previous research has shown that there is a strong connection between trauma exposure and emotional reactivity in flood survivors, which is linked to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This connection supports the observed relationship between emotional reactivity and the severity of PTSD symptoms over time. These findings imply that individuals may be at risk of developing PTSD either due to experiencing emotional trauma or having a natural tendency towards emotional reactivity. A study on survivors of motor vehicle accidents indicates that both the temperament trait of emotional reactivity and trauma exposure can predict difficulties in adjusting after such incidents, although trauma exposure seems to have a slightly greater impact.

After reading an article and review, I have gained insight into the possibility that my post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a car accident may have existed prior to the incident. This newfound knowledge has increased my awareness of my symptoms and improved

my ability to cope with them. It has also led me to contemplate which past event may have made me more vulnerable to PTSD. While searching online for articles related to my psychological journey, I discovered an abstract that immediately captured my attention. Intrigued, I proceeded to read the entire abstract and decided to explore the complete article because it strongly resonated with my own psychological experience.

The article discusses a study that investigated the relationship between trauma history characteristics and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after a car accident. The study examined factors such as the number and type of traumas, age at first trauma, and subjective reactions to previous traumas. A total of 188 adult car accident victims participated in the research, providing information about their past traumatic experiences and undergoing assessments for PTSD symptoms six weeks and one year after the accident. Of these participants, 98 were men and 90 were women who had experienced at least one potentially traumatic event in their lives. Recruitment for this study took place at one of Akron, Ohio's two level one trauma centers.

The study involved participants who were primarily Caucasians (92%), with smaller proportions of African Americans (6%), Hispanics (1%), and individuals from other ethnicities (1%). The age range of the participants was 18 to 81. To evaluate their exposure to traumatic events throughout their lives, a modified self-report version of the Traumatic Stress Schedule was utilized. This included inquiries about various traumas such as unexpected loss of loved ones, witnessing serious injuries or deaths, experiencing robbery or mugging, physical assault, sexual assault, severe motor vehicle accidents, significant injuries due to accidents, injuries

or property damage caused by fires, and injuries or property damage resulting from natural or human-made disasters. A trauma nurse approached trauma patients during their hospital stay for cognitive ability assessment using the mini-mental status exam. Those who passed this exam were informed about the study and given the opportunity for written consent if interested.

The study revealed that 87% of the patients approached agreed to participate. It concluded that previous trauma history contributes to PTSD symptoms, providing new insights into the link between past traumas and the risk of developing PTSD. The effect sizes observed in this research were similar to those reported in comparable studies. Distress from past traumas and the number of different traumas experienced were found to be significant factors. The analysis demonstrated a direct correlation between various aspects of trauma history, such as events and responses, with PTSD symptoms at both the 6-week and 1-year points following a serious motor vehicle accident.

The study's findings suggest the need for further research on different aspects of traumatic experiences and responses in order to enhance understanding of the risk associated with past trauma. Prior to reading this article, I had not considered that previous emotional trauma could increase my vulnerability to PTSD. However, after reviewing this article, my perspective has expanded. I have been dealing with stress and anxiety for some time, experiencing varying levels that have occasionally resulted in depression. This realization suggests that addressing my emotions may reduce the likelihood of psychological harm in future situations.

While searching the internet for information about my own mental journey, I consistently came across articles discussing PTSD among military personnel, first responders, healthcare workers, and others

who encounter events that can significantly impact their mental well-being. Nevertheless, it sparked my curiosity as to whether there were lesser-known professions also facing mental health challenges. It was at this moment that I stumbled upon this article - an immediate attention-grabber.

It has recently come to my attention that I have not given much consideration to the psychological well-being of those working in journalism/media, which is surprising. This lack of concern is troubling considering the vital role articles, newspapers, online content, and the news play in informing the public about global events. Despite being exposed to distressing content through these sources, I never considered the mental health of the individuals reporting such material.

In order to address this issue, a study was conducted by researchers to examine journalists' attitudes towards post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their willingness to seek help when faced with traumatic situations. The study acknowledged that people in this profession are susceptible to developing mental health problems. It also identified a stigma within the industry where discussing PTSD is viewed as a sign of weakness.

The researchers emphasized that action needs to be taken due to journalists having a high probability of experiencing mental health issues.

A total of 124 employees in managerial positions at an international news organization participated in a self-report questionnaire. These employees had been working at the organization from August 2005 to May 2006 and had voluntarily enrolled in a course on managing traumatic stress in the workplace. They were selected as a representative sample of personnel who oversee teams involved in news gathering. The questionnaires were distributed before the course commenced and did not collect any personal information.

Instead of utilizing

questionnaires, the organization furnished researchers with fundamental demographic data. The participants were queried about their sources of assistance and their perspective on their immediate supervisor's involvement in handling trauma-related issues. A Likert scale was employed, with a ranking of 1 indicating strong agreement, a rating of 5 representing strong disagreement, and 3 denoting a neutral response. In addition to this, the participants completed the Attitudes of PTSD Schedule as well as the Help-Seeking Stigma Questionnaire.

The Attitudes of PTSD Schedule investigates attitudes towards PTSD. The Help-Seeking Stigma questionnaire includes six stigma statements. The study's key results indicate a preference for seeking assistance from family members rather than employers. While participants possess a non-stigmatizing attitude towards PTSD, they are not entirely inclined to seek professional help for their own trauma-related issues. This research offers valuable insights into the attitudes of individuals in a profession recognized for being more susceptible to mental health problems. Yet, there is presently insufficient data on the utilization of support personnel during periods of distress.

The article gave me hope because it showed that there are others who may be facing similar challenges as I am. It made me realize that even people in the news reporting and writing industry, who constantly encounter traumatic events, have found healthy ways to cope with and overcome the trauma.

Sources of Support

Bridges to Recovery is a mental health institution with multiple locations across the country, including four branches in California. They specialize in helping individuals dealing with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma disorders, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders. They also provide assistance for those experiencing nervous breakdowns, high-functioning depression or anxiety, failure to launch, and phase of life

issues. On their homepage, they emphasize the importance of personalized treatment plans for participants in their programs – an approach that I personally believe is crucial since everyone handles situations differently.

The National Institute of Mental Health's website is a valuable resource for information on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It offers comprehensive insights into the condition and its treatment options. Many individuals who cannot enter a rehabilitation institution often find it unsuitable for them. The institute recommends three treatment options: residential treatment, therapy, and medications. Their facilities have remarkable features, including warm and inviting houses with beautiful landscapes and views to aid in the healing process.

The webpage from the National Institute of Mental Health also provides detailed descriptions of PTSD symptoms and signs to help individuals understand their emotions better. It covers re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance symptoms, arousal and reactivity symptoms, as well as cognition/mood symptoms. Additionally, the webpage offers guidance on how teenagers and children may experience PTSD differently from adults – an invaluable resource for young individuals seeking assistance.

The text highlights the impact of PTSD on anyone, especially women, and its connection to genetic factors. There are various treatments and therapies available for those seeking help, along with complementary booklets and brochures. An article shares a personal experience of trauma and the ongoing struggle with PTSD, serving as a powerful reminder of how our world's brutality can internally devastate someone. The article triggered feelings of anxiety and sadness, allowing me to deeply empathize with the author's pain. It also prompted contemplation about the countless individuals who may be grappling with trauma without support or knowledge on how to address their situation – an incredibly heart-wrenching

reality.

Thinking back to my psychological experience, it showed me that I honestly do not have it that bad, and that if someone like this author who has so much trauma can get through their struggle, so can I. It gave me hope to see an individual proper after so much pain and suffering.

Insights

With the conclusion of this research project I feel that I have become more knowledgeable about PTSD, which gives me an insight on what people are dealing with and how I can help. Not only did I learn more about how PTSD affects the world and how I can be of help, but I learned more about myself and how I can better myself physically, mentally, and spiritually. I am constantly trying to better myself, not solely for self gain, but so that I can be of greater use to my peers and community. Being that I learned so much just from an assignment really left me astonished, I never would have thought that homework could leave such a personal impact.

In my personal opinion, there needs to be a greater emphasis on mental health education. Mental illnesses, such as PTSD, have a profound impact on society. Having witnessed and experienced it myself, my belief in the importance of providing support for those dealing with conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia, and more, has only been strengthened through my research. The world is filled with immense suffering, and it is not enough to passively hope for self-improvement. As a collective humanity, we must take action to aid individuals in their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Even simple acts like offering a smile

during your daily commute or buying a meal for someone who is homeless can make a difference.

Displaying care and a willingness to assist could potentially save someone's life. While it may seem dramatic, the truth is that an individual may be reaching a breaking point, and a simple act of kindness could guide them towards a different path. There is a great deal of work to be done, and it is time for us to take action.

Questions to ponder

• How can one initiate the process of philosophical healing?
• How can I provide more support to those around me who may be experiencing mental health challenges?
• To what extent can society make a difference? Does the current level of assistance suffice?