Trauma-Oriented Medical Care: Bridging Medicine and Psychotherapy

Nadia Kruszyńska; Zofia Kaminska

doi:10.21697/ejhp.0306.04

Published: 2024-09-02

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2024)

Trauma-Oriented Medical Care: Bridging Medicine and Psychotherapy

Nadia Kruszyńska

, Zofia Kaminska

European Journal of Health Policy, Humanization of Care and Medical Ethics

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21697/ejhp.0306.04

Abstract

In the past decade, the issue of trauma has gained significant attention in psychological and medical research. Advances in psychophysiology, neuropsychology, and psychotherapy have greatly improved our understanding of the progression and consequences of psychological trauma. Treatment methods for trauma now boast a high success rate.

Trauma and psychotraumatology are especially critical in emergency and medical services. Recognizing the nature of trauma and applying principles of early intervention can considerably reduce its long-term negative effects (Goldstein et al., 2024). Additionally, understanding how past trauma—sometimes from long ago—affects current psychological and physical health can clarify behaviors often seen as maladaptive, such as excessive anxiety, heightened sensitivity to pain, uncontrollable anger, substance addiction, or self-harm. This insight can enhance the diagnostic and treatment process.

Trauma-informed care in medicine acts as a bridge between medical treatment and psychotherapy. Since trauma affects both the mind and the body, treatment should be grounded in a holistic view of the individual (Mikhail et al., 2018). Understanding trauma mechanisms is also crucial for preventive mental health care professionals (McKann & Pearlman, 1990).

Keywords:

trauma-oriented medical care, PTSD, CPTSD, psychological trauma

Download files

pdf

Cited by / Share

References

American Psychological Association. (2024). Retrieved June 15, 2024 from http://www.apa.org
Google Scholar

Asarnow, J. R., Goldston, D. B., Tunno, A. M., Inscoe, A. B., & Pynoos, R. (2020). Suicide, self-harm, & traumatic stress exposure: A trauma-informed approach to the evaluation and management of suicide risk. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 5(4), 483–500. https://doi.org/10.1080/23794925.2020.1796547
Google Scholar

Bryant, R. A. (2023). Attachment processes in posttraumatic stress disorder: A review of mechanisms to advance theories and treatments. Clinical Psychology Review, 99, 102228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102228
Google Scholar

Bovin, M. J. (2021). Literature on DSM-5 and ICD-11: An update. PTSD Research Quarterly, 32(2).
Google Scholar

Bub, K., & Lommen, M. J. J. (2017). The role of guilt in posttraumatic stress disorder. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 8(1), 1407202. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2017.1407202
Google Scholar

Campbell, S. B., & Renshaw, K. D. (2018). Posttraumatic stress disorder and relationship functioning: A comprehensive review and organizational framework. Clinical Psychology Review, 65, 152–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2018.08.003
Google Scholar

Cloitre, M., Garvert, D., Brewin, C., Bryant, R., & Maercker, A. (2013). Evidence for proposed ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD: A latent profile analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 4. https://doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v4i0.20706
Google Scholar

Frans, Ö., Rimmö, P.-A., Åberg, L., & Fredrikson, M. (2005). Trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder in the general population. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 111(4), 291-299. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2004.00463.x
Google Scholar

Goldstein, E., Chokshi, B., Melendez-Torres, G. J., Rios, A., Jelley, M., & Lewis-O'Connor, A. (2024). Effectiveness of trauma-informed care implementation in health care settings: Systematic review of reviews and realist synthesis. The Permanente Journal, 28(1), 135–150. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/23.127
Google Scholar

Herman, J. L. (1992). Complex PTSD: A syndrome in survivors of prolonged and repeated trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 5(3), 377–391. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.2490050305
Google Scholar

Janet, P. (1893-1894). The mental state of the hysterics. Rueff.
Google Scholar

Kessler, R. C., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Alonso, J., et al. (2017). Trauma and PTSD in the WHO world mental health surveys. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 8(sup5), 1353383. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2017.1353383
Google Scholar

Koenen, K. C., Ratanatharathorn, A., Ng, L., McLaughlin, K. A., Bromet, E. J., Stein, D. J., Karam, E. G., Meron Ruscio, A., Benjet, C., Scott, K., Atwoli, L., Petukhova, M., Lim, C. C. W., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Al-Hamzawi, A., Alonso, J., Bunting, B., Ciutan, M., de Girolamo, G., Degenhardt, L., ... Kessler, R. C. (2017). Posttraumatic stress disorder in the World Mental Health Surveys. Psychological Medicine, 47(13), 2260–2274. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291717000708
Google Scholar

López-Castro, T., Saraiya, T., Zumberg-Smith, K., & Dambreville, N. (2019). Association between shame and posttraumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 32(4), 484–495. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22411
Google Scholar

LeDoux, J. (2017). The anxious mind and brain: Challenging current approaches in understanding anxiety. Research Features. Retrieved from https://researchfeatures.com/the-anxious-mind-and-brain-challenging-current-approaches-in-understanding-anxiety/
Google Scholar

McCann, I. L., & Pearlman, L. A. (1990). Vicarious traumatization: A framework for understanding the psychological effects of working with victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 3(1), 131–149. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00975140
Google Scholar

Mikhail, J. N., Nemeth, L. S., Mueller, M., Pope, C., & NeSmith, E. G. (2018). The social determinants of trauma: A trauma disparities scoping review and framework. Journal of Trauma Nursing, 25(5), 266–281. https://doi.org/10.1097/JTN.0000000000000388
Google Scholar

Post, L. M., Zoellner, L. A., Youngstrom, E., & Feeny, N. C. (2011). Understanding the relationship between co-occurring PTSD and MDD: Symptom severity and affect. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 25(8), 1123–1130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.08.003
Google Scholar

Steuden, S., & Janowski, K. (2016). Trauma – kontrowersje wokół pojęcia, diagnoza, następstwa, implikacje praktyczne [Trauma – controversy over the concept, diagnosis, consequences, and practical implications]. Roczniki Psychologiczne, 19, 549–565. https://doi.org/10.18290/rpsych.2016.19.3-5pl
Google Scholar

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2024). SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. Retrieved June 15, 2024, from http://www.samhsa.gov
Google Scholar

Weissman, D. G., & Mendes, W. B. (2021). Correlation of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity during rest and acute stress tasks. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 162, 60–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.01.015
Google Scholar

Zhang, X., Ge, T. T., Yin, G., Cui, R., Zhao, G., & Yang, W. (2018). Stress-induced functional alterations in amygdala: Implications for neuropsychiatric diseases. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12, 367. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00367
Google Scholar

Nadia Kruszyńska

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8860-1139

Affiliation:

Centre for Support and Psychotraumatology Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences in Poznań, Poland Poland

Zofia Kaminska

https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6494-5216

Affiliation:

Center for Psychological Support and Psychotraumatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland Poland