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During times of crisis,
we are quick to address physical trauma. We dont
wait to call for help, and emergency medical personnel
certainly dont wait to transport someone to the hospital
before efforts are made to control bleeding. Unfortunately,
a hidden trauma is often ignored. This trauma leaves
the deepest scars and changes people forevertraumatic
stress.
At the turn of the century, in our pre-September 11th
world, Acute Traumatic Stress Management (ATSM) was
born (Lerner and Shelton, 2001). ATSM was developed
to provide emergency responders with a Traumatic Stress
Response Protocol. It was designed to raise the level
of carebeyond traditional emergency medical intervention.
It enabled first responders to address emergent psychological
needs.
There were many lessons learned after September 11th.
One of them was the realization that crises do not always
have a beginning and an endand, that traumatic stress
can impact individuals, groups, organizations, communitieseven
an entire nation. We have all observed how traumatic
stress disables people, causes disease, precipitates
mental disorders, leads to substance abuse, and destroys
relationships and families.
Traumatic stress is experienced by survivors of disasters
and catastrophes (e.g., hurricanes, airplane crashes,
terrorist bombings, train derailments, and floods).
However, it does not have to take a highly publicized
event to cause debilitating emotional scars. Traumatic
stress has many faces, and is experienced every day
during and in the aftermath of our personal tragedies
(e.g., facing a serious illness, dealing with the loss
of a loved one, experiencing an automobile accident,
etc.).
Much has been written about crisis interventionpsychological
first-aid introduced in the aftermath of a tragedy.
Notwithstanding, there is little information offering
practical strategies to help people during a traumatic
event. This is a time when people are perhaps most suggestible
and vulnerable to traumatic stressa tremendous opportunity
for intervention.
ATSM offers practical tools for addressing the wide
spectrum of traumatic experiencesfrom mild to the most
severe. It is a goal-directed process delivered within
the framework of a facilitative or helping attitudinal
climate. ATSM aims to jump-start an individuals coping
and problem-solving abilities. It seeks to stabilize
acute symptoms of traumatic stress and stimulate healthy,
adaptive functioning. Finally, ATSM may increase the
likelihood of an individual pursuing mental health intervention,
if need be, in the future.
ATSM offers techniques for connecting with particularly
challenging, emotionally distraught, individuals. It
helps us to help others when time is limited and to
know what to say when we are at a loss for words. It
helps us while intervening with diverse populations
such as children, sexual assault victims, potentially
violent and substance-involved individuals, as well
as depressed and potentially suicidal people. It provides
a strategy to support grieving individuals and offers
an application to address serious injury/death notification.
Finally, ATSM addresses our own responses during a crisis.
We know that people who are exposed to traumatic events
experience the Imprint of Horrorthe sights, sounds,
smells, tastes and tactile sensations that are recorded
in ones mind during a traumatic event. These perceptions
precipitate acute traumatic stress reactions and chronic
stress disorders. In the same way that these negative
stimuli can be etched in peoples minds during traumatic
exposurea period of heightened suggestibility and vulnerability,
so too may the positive, adaptive forces of ATSM (e.g.,
active listening, empathic understanding, a supportive
presence, etc.).
Comprehensive Acute Traumatic Stress Management (CATSM)
reflects the expansion of the ATSM model by addressing
the emergent psychological needs of individuals, groups
and organizations before, during and after a traumatic
event. CATSM is a Traumatic Stress Response Protocol
for all people who endeavor to help others during times
of crisis. By reaching people early, we can keep individuals
and organizations functioning, and mitigate long-term
emotional suffering.
To learn about
on-site training programs, workshops and presentations,
based on this publication, please visit our association
president and author at www.DrMarkLerner.com
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