Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Family Assessment

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Family Assessment Chronic illnesses are becoming more prevalent as technology advances; therefore, allowing individuals to live longer (Larsen, 2013a). Chronic illness is defined as a complex, “irreversible presence, accumulation, or latency of disease states or impairments that involve the total human environment for supportive care and self-care, maintenance of function, and prevention of further disability” (as cited in Larsen, 2013a, p. 6). Larsen (2013a) addresses five competencies in providing holistic care for individual’s with a chronic illness and their family, which include: “patient-centered care; partnering; quality improvement; information and communication technology; and public health perspective” (p. 14). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is considered a chronic condition, which develops after an individual is exposed to or witnesses a traumatic event (England, 2009). PTSD is commonly associated with war, childhood trauma, sexual assault, and natural disasters (England, 2009). According to England (2009), individuals suffering from PTSD are constantly in a “fight or flight” state (p. 4). Symptoms can be debilitating and often include flashbacks, nightmares, hallucinations, phobias, psychosis, and triggers (England, 2009; Wizelman, 2011). Changes in behaviors often

The assessment tool creates a summary of the family’s life to determine areas in need of improvement, and areas being well managed. The structural assessment areas include: family composition; home and community environment; occupation and education of members; and cultural and religious traditions (Wong & Eaton, 2011). The functional assessment areas include: family interactions and roles; power, decision-making, and problem-solving; communication; and expression of feelings and individuality (Wong & Eaton,