Nickisher White
Professor Van Arsdale
September 29, 2014
Natural disasters and international conflicts often result in mental health problems that will always occur no matter what. Anybody responding to these types of situation will come in contact with not only mental health issues but also multicultural and/ or ethical issues that they will have to face while assisting the victims that were involved in such catastrophic disasters. This case study paper will be focusing on “What type of mental health problems in which I might encounter”, “What multicultural and/ or ethical issues might come up” and “How would I address them” when I am face in responding to a victim of crises in culture that is different from mines in a perspective of a counselor state of mind. Many people see that aiding different culture or societies have many setbacks in which one of them is trying to help them in a situation which they believe will take them away from their social norms. I have experiences in growing up in a household where there is different culture combined together. At times it can be a headache especially when we have different aspects on one thing or on how we should handle a situation. For example, my dad’s family is from the Caribbean and my mom’s family is from London. Both of my parents grew up in a different societal norm. They have different stand points on things, a prime example of what I mean in their view points on disciplinary action for my siblings and me. My dad didn’t believe that grounding would be beneficial as where my mom didn’t believe that beating a child would be appropriate. Being face with this type of challenge can also be considered an ethical issue that many biracial couples face because of the boundaries that it crosses. However, when it comes to encountering natural disasters and international conflicts we are also face with different questions such as one being “How do we resolve this issue without crossing the boundaries within the culture?” When it comes down to it we try to adhere to the practices of those cultures that we try to help. But what if crossing those boundaries is the only way to help a victim and their families overcome their problems that they will face after a natural disaster occur?
The two main mental health problems that I believe I will encounter while assisting the victims in different cultures after a catastrophic disaster is trauma and PTSD. Trauma and PTSD are the two of the basic mental health problems in which I believe I would encounter because this two health issues are the aftermath effects that a person will have to deal with after a natural disaster and an international conflict that took toll on their society.
Trauma is considered to be one of the emotional responses that a person will have when they encounter a terrible event like rape, or natural disaster. Long lasting reactions includes unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, and even strained relationships. (American Psychological Association, 2000)
According to the American Psychological Association, the following are common symptoms of trauma: feelings become intense and sometimes are unpredictable. irritability, mood swings, anxiety, and depression are coming manifestations of this, flashbacks: repeated and vivid memories of the event that lead to physical reactions such as rapid heartbeat or sweating, Confusion or difficulty making decisions, sleep or eating issues, fear that the emotional event will be repeated, a change in interpersonal relationships skills, such as an increase in conflict or a more withdrawn and avoidant personality and physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and chest pain.
After an overwhelming and distressful experience has occurred, it can cause a victim to go into trauma and it can also lead to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). PTSD can be a result from natural