Specific Symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder

Description

1) A few weeks after 9/11, a disaster mental health clinician believes she has a patient who is

experiencing either "Acute Stress Disorder" or "Post-traumatic Stress Disorder". a. What criteria

should the clinician use to determine which disorder the patient has (in other words, what are the

diagnostic markers for each)?

b. Which disorder do you believe the patient has? Note: You don't

have to be a mental health clinician to answer here–your task here is to apply what you learned

in the course–so no need to state that you aren't qualified to diagnose. You must select ONLY

ONE diagnosis, either ASD or PTSD, to receive points for this question.

2) From what you have now learned about Terror Management Theory (TMT), what do you believe

the officials (at every level) could have done differently to better manage the Katrina disaster had

they understood TMT? Be specific here and cite your sources.

3) Describe the differences in the pharmacological (medication) approach to PTSD treatment and

the cognitive-behavioral approach.

4) You have been tasked with developing a two-day workshop focusing on the psychology of

disaster. The workshop is part of a larger several day conference. Other workshops occurring

during the conference will cover disaster preparedness and planning, so those topics won't be

part of your two days. Identify four CRITICAL topics that you would include during your workshop

sessions.

Critical means you consider a topic a very high priority, something that is absolutely

essential for attendees to know about. Each session is to be an hour long. Below list the 4 topics

you would include in the workshop and, for each one, explain why you selected it (Note: You

must restrict your answer to only four topics-including more will void your answer)

5) Describe the primary psychological needs of children following a major disaster.

6) Use one of the theories discussed in the course to describe psychological risks faced by service

providers (initial responders, EMTs, rescuers, firefighters, police, on-site mental health clinicians,

etc.) in the event of a major disaster.

7) Which area of the study of the psychology of disaster do you think needs more attention these

days in order to effectively deal with contemporary disasters? Why? NOTE: You must link your

answers to course materials here, rather than just giving a brief statement of opinion