Reflective Report: Challenges in Dealing with PTSD Patients

This reflective report examines the challenges a healthcare practitioner might face when dealing with patients suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The author identifies potential difficulties, such as the varied and often hidden symptoms of PTSD, which can complicate diagnosis and treatment. Challenges in building trust and obtaining necessary personal information from patients are also discussed, along with the impact of stigma surrounding mental illness. The author shares a personal experience and reflects on strategies to overcome these hurdles, including compassion, allowing patients to set their own pace, offering family education, and encouraging relaxing activities. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of developing a therapeutic relationship and implementing specific strategies to improve healthcare outcomes for PTSD patients.

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Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur in
any individual who has experienced any specific traumatic event. In this disorder, the
symptoms might vary according to the experiences of the patients. However, dealing with
PTSD is quite crucial for a healthcare practitioner.
Being a health practitioner, I think I would also find difficulties in dealing with
patients with PTSD due to various reasons. The symptoms of PTSD vary and hence, finding
the actual reason behind the particular mental health disorder becomes challenging and as a
consequence, finding appropriate treatment will be strenuous. Also, when I will be working
with PTSD patients, if they do not co-operate with me with a supportive behaviour it will
delay the treatment process as well, which in turn it will lead to a life-threatening situations
of the patient. Even, I have seen that in many cases, patients do not want to admit that they
have mental issues and also do not trust the healthcare provider to disclose their personal
information which is extremely necessary for the recovery process. This behaviour is quite
stressful for me because if I cannot get essential information, I cannot deliver proper
assistance. Sometimes, much stigma attached to mental illness, the PTSD patients tend to
hide their conditions as they feel guilt or shame, and in these cases I am not allowed to obtain
personal information without the patients’ consent. Therefore, according to my opinion,
maintaining a trustful relationship with the PTSD patients is always challenging for the
healthcare practitioners. In this context I am sharing one of my personal experiences where I
have also witnessed my seniors to deal with a child with PTSD symptoms. They found it
extremely challenging to establish a therapeutic relationship with the patient as the child was
continuously crying in fear. As a result, my senior faced lots of difficulties to obtain
information from the patient’s statement.
Although, dealing with PTSD patients might be challenging for healthcare
practitioners, but, with some effective and appropriate strategies it is possible to overcome all

the challenges. While facing difficulties I might lose my strength and confidence and in this
purpose I will try to apply my theoretical knowledge of dealing with mental health patients. I
personally think I should be more compassionate and supportive while providing care to any
PTSD patient. I will also allow the patient to discuss the traumatic event at their own pace.
Also, if the patient is reluctant in disclosing any personal information or not willing to discuss
about any particular incident, then health practitioners should not pressurize the patient to
change their decision and due to this fact, I am focussed to provide assistance without forcing
the patient to acquire any habit. In fact, if the patient is pressurized, then it can worsen the
condition and increase the risk of further deterioration. I also think, offering some education
to the family of the patient in order to destigmatize the condition is also necessary. On the
other hand, while assessing the patient the health practitioners should encourage the patient in
some relaxing activities which can help them in being comfortable and in this regard,
developing a friendly relationship is necessary. Being a health practitioner in future, I will
acquire all these strategies while dealing with PTSD patients which will be helpful in
achieving an effective health outcome.
To conclude it can be said that, it is difficult for the healthcare practitioners to deal
with the patients of mental health issues especially the PTSD patients. However, developing a
therapeutic relationship and following some specific strategies can be helpful in overcoming
all the challenges of providing care.