Case Study on James Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Introduction

The case involves James, who is a 9-year-old African American male. His mother began working at night shift and hence James had to be taken to his aunt for most of the nights. The body displays symptoms of aggression that seem to escalate every time he goes to his aunt's place for a sleepover. The mother to James reported increasing tantrums with no apparent cause for the condition. The aunt is also a single mother and has a son who is the same age as James. The body displays symptoms of nausea and headaches for more than two months. Moreover, he complains that his aunt's home is messed up. The aggression increased gradually until he would scream when it came time to go to his aunt's place.

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Diagnosis

The most likely condition that James could be going through is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder otherwise known as PTSD. The condition must have set in the first time he and his mother went the aunt for a sleepover. PTSD is normally a condition triggered by either experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event (Sharmaa & Resslerb, 2019). Symptoms of the condition normally entail having flashbacks about the traumatic event and severe anxiety. The patient may also have nightmares and uncontrollable thoughts concerning the event. Most patients who experience the condition may have some problems with adjustment (Sharmaa & Resslerb, 2019). However, with good care and time, the symptoms normally go away. In the event that the symptoms last for long periods and interferes with the daily life of the patient then it becomes apparent that the patient is suffering from PTSD.

Treatment Plan

Treatment of the condition entails establishing its cause and finding a solution specific to the patient. James must learn some skills to help him address his symptoms. Moreover, undergoing treatment can help him regain a sense of control over his life. Though the treatment entails psychotherapy, it may at times involve medication when the patient experiences severe symptoms. Several forms of therapy can be employed in the treatment of either children or adults. They all depend on the symptoms displayed by the patient (Sharmaa & Resslerb, 2019). The forms of therapy include cognitive therapy, exposure therapy and the desensitization of eye movement. Since James' symptoms were not that intense, cognitive therapy would be sufficient to make some of the symptoms go away. In case of therapy does not work, Medications can be applied with the advice of the doctor. Some of the medications include anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, and prazosin. All the medications operate in almost the same way. The patient and the doctor can work out the best medication for the condition.

Summary Statement

From the above observation and comparison of symptoms, it is evident that James suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to an event that he experienced at his aunt. James needs to be treated with care and must be admitted to a psychotherapist for immediate examination and comparison of symptoms. Moreover, he must learn to confront his fears and understand the root cause of his anxiety. In the event that therapy does not work, James must be subjected to medications like anti-depressants which can help ease the anxiety. However, the patient must be comfortable enough to share his fears and anxieties with the doctor to get help.

Works Cited

Sharmaa, S., & Resslerb, K. (2019). Genomic updates in understanding PTSD. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 90(2), 197-203. doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.11.010