There have been several major social incidents that have happened during the last two years in Taiwan. Examples in case include, Zheng Jie’s random homicide at the MRT stations in Taipei; TransAsia Airways’ aviation accident in Makung, Penghu; The gas-pipeline explosion in Kaohsiung, and the multi-car pile-up accident caused by a trailer truck in Taichung.
The aforementioned incidents have one thing in common, people who are exposed to these kinds of incidents, the witnesses, and the public at large have a chance of developing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or a lesser form of this condition, Acute Stress Disorder (ASD).
The purpose of this film is twofold. First, to introduce the main characteristics PTSD and ASD. Second, to address services that Occupational Therapists can provide.
Now, please test yourself and the people around you to see if there are any symptoms, or signs, listed below.
□recurrent distressing dreams or nightmares
□ frequent headaches
□ spontaneous and intrusive distressing memories (flashbacks)
□ insomnia
□ social withdrawal
□ profound emotional sadness
□ anxiety
□ anger
□ feelings of guilt
□ fatigue
□ pessimistic thinking
□ Emotional numbing, for example, thoughts or feelings about the event may be blocked so that you can’t feel any emotions.
□ An inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event (dissociative amnesia)
□ problems concentration
□ unable to maintain meaningful activities
If anyone, who has undergone any traumatic events hasn’t developed any of the above symptoms of PTSD.
You’ve beaten stress.
Congratulations!
However, if anyone has developed even a few symptoms mentioned, you should be cautious that maybe you are suffering from stress-related disorders.
For those that the disturbance has lasted less than one month, ASD may be diagnosed. If the duration of disturbance has continued for more than one month, you might be suffering from PTSD. At this time, you may need to seek professional help. The following describes the relationship between Occupational Therapy and PTSD.
Occupational therapy enables people with physical, psychological, cognitive or interpersonal problems, to participate in meaningful activities, in order to develop their maximal potential and functioning, and to promote independence.
Occupational activities include any personally meaningful activities such as daily activities, living, education (reading), work, play, leisure activities (listening to music, playing sports) and social activities.
Sensory processing, cognition, and emotion regulation abilities are often impaired with PTSD. These disabilities may negatively affect the person’s ability to create and maintain meaningful relationships, or withdrawal from active participation in occupation, or carrying out occupational roles.
Occupational therapists conduct a comprehensive evaluation to identify strengths and deficits, in functional performance and the causes.
The occupational therapists then collaborate with clients to create aims, develop plans, and to select meaningful occupations to meet recovery goals.
Services can be provided either one-on-one or in group settings, according to the clients’ needs.
For example, in individual sessions, the OT prompt clients note daily activity configurations, inspect proportion of time that each activity occupies, and to learn new coping strategies.
In group settings, occupational therapists may provide Yoga to help clients learn how to relax and to improve his/her sleeping.
Occupational therapists are able to identify problems derived from PTSD, and are able to address coping skill needs, and strategies within the context of real-life scenarios. They encourage the clients to engage in personally meaningful activities, to regain health and a sense of well-being.
