The 'Normal' Psychology of Trauma according to Dr. F. Ochberg Term Paper by scribbler
The 'Normal' Psychology of Trauma according to Dr. F. Ochberg
A discussion on Dr. F. Ochberg's perspective on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in soldiers returning from combat.
# 152810
| 816 words
| 3 sources
| APA
| 2013
| 
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Description:
The paper looks at the documentary entitled "PTSD and Veterans" where Dr. Frank Ochberg articulates the strategies that might help mental health professionals adjust to the needs of the countless soldiers returning from war. The paper discusses Dr. Ochberg's claim that the diagnosis of PTSD is not to be seen as a negative one; it implies that the subject is a normal person who has had normal psychological responses to abnormal circumstances. The paper explains his view that to address this as abnormal psychology is both inappropriate and demonstrates a misunderstanding of the human response mechanisms triggered by trauma. The paper also notes how Ochberg sees no difference between PTSD sufferers returning from combat and those in the general population, and reviews how Ochberg advises the therapist to achieve an unflinching, non-judgmental and visibly comfortable response to even the most shocking of traumatic experiences.
From the Paper:
"First and foremost in our response to this discussion is Ochberg's moving claim that the diagnosis of PTSD is not to be seen as a negative one. To his way of thinking, where there is not demonstrable comorbidity with inborn psychological maladies, PTSD is an 'encouraging' diagnosis which usually implies that the subject is a normal person who has had normal psychological responses to abnormal circumstances. Indeed, Ochberg argues that a reasonable person would experience a cognitive dissonance in response to the conditions confronted during war. In many ways, this reflects the significant progress of perspective made in the treatment of trauma-related disorders as it contrasts the approach decades ago as documented in the research by Ross (2007). This posits that historically, trauma had been assessed much in the same way as other psychological conditions. As Ross reports, "although I didn't realize it at the time, the polypharmacy regimens I saw commonly as a resident were a tacit recognition of the trauma model. They were based on a clinical recognition of the problem of comorbidity, which is accounted for by the trauma model." (p. 6)"This approach might be seen by Ochberg as wholly inappropriate given the implications of PTSD. To address this as abnormal psychology is both inappropriate and demonstrates a misunderstanding of the human response mechanisms triggered by trauma. In this way, Ochberg contends that Afghanistan and Iraq are different than Vietnam."
Sample of Sources Used:
- Ochberg, F. (2008). PTSD and Veterans (DVD). Gift From Within.
- Ross, C. A. (2007). The trauma model. Richardson, TX: Manitou Communications, Inc.
- Wilson, J.P., Friedman, M.J. & Linday, J.D (2004). Treating psychological trauma & PTSD. New York, NY Guilford Press.
Cite this Term Paper:
APA Format
The 'Normal' Psychology of Trauma according to Dr. F. Ochberg (2013, April 30)
Retrieved June 04, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/term-paper/the-normal-psychology-of-trauma-according-to-dr-f-ochberg-152810/
MLA Format
"The 'Normal' Psychology of Trauma according to Dr. F. Ochberg" 30 April 2013.
Web. 04 June. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/term-paper/the-normal-psychology-of-trauma-according-to-dr-f-ochberg-152810/>