Adjustment Case Study
Adjustment Case Study On one hand, trauma is one of the conditions that most people have struggled with. On the other hand, epileptic seizures can be difficult to deal with, particularly in children. As such, doctors must come up with proper strategies to address such condition. This essay discusses a case of childhood trauma as well as a case of epileptic seizures in a child. It also addresses the strategies necessary for dealing with each instance.
Gone With a Gun Shot
The article is about two siblings, Sean Smith, and Erin. Sean was ten years old, while Erin was eight. They loved playing together at home. One day, they had arrived home from school and started playing, as usual. Their parents were still at work and the kids were all alone at home. They decided to look for video games that were hidden in their parents room. They opened their fathers dress drawer only to find a gun. Smith picked the gun up, while the sister ran away after warning him to put it back in its place. Smith triggered the gun, and, unfortunately, he shot his sister. He run to help her by holding her in his lap as he tried to call 911 for help. There was no response from 911, and the little girl died instantly.
Smith has never overcome the incidence since its occurrence 26 years ago. Throughout his whole life he has been living with guilt. The feeling of remorse has been haunting him in high school to such an extent that he has dropped out and has been abusing drugs. Even though he stopped this irrational behavior, the guilt remains to date. The major adjustment issue in this story is Smith coping with the guilt of shooting his sister. He ought to accept that it has already happened and move on.
Evidence-based Practice that Could Be Applied to Sean Smiths Case
One of the strategies that have been used before in such cases is cognitive behavioral therapy. One of the methods used under this approach is the cognitive technique, whereby the victim is trained to think about the situation differently. Smith can undergo such training so that he can learn to view the shooting of his sister from a divergent point of view. For instance, he can be trained to treat the situation as an accident that can occur to anyone. He can also be encouraged to think about his sister being in a better place than she would if she was alive. Prolonged exposure to such techniques can help the patient cope with the adverse feelings that he is experiencing.
Another acceptable strategy would be the acceptance and commitment therapy. This plan involves making the patient fully accept the occurrences that are distressing him/her, however painful they are. The patient is allowed to embrace the situation without defense hence realizing his/her values. The realization of values helps the patient set behavioral goals and work towards achieving them. For example, Sean Smiths may embrace the shooting of his sister as part of his life and understand that his values are more important compared to this situation. As a result, he will be able to set behavioral goals and be committed to achieving them thus making himself a better person.
Narrative therapy would also be a suitable plan for Sean Smith. Its program involves story-telling from the viewpoint of the patient, which is a core feature of most cultures. It involves a patient and a therapist who listens to the victim as he or she narrates the story. The doctor then makes the patient understand how the mastery of the occurrence as well as repeating the story may hinder him/her from overcoming its effect. The therapist makes the patient understand that his/her problem is entirely different from his/her values, beliefs and skills. The physician then encourages a person to focus on his/her strengths in order to overcome the feelings of guilt and remorse.
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Seizers Cant Stop the Sixth-Grader
The article is about Benny Smith who has been having epileptic seizures while in class. The situation became dangerous when she began fainting. After regaining consciousness, he would confess to feel a hangover, which made him feel awful. As a result, he stopped going to school, as such episodes were unbearable. He, therefore, had to be taught at home. Nevertheless, Benny has a passion for science. He confessed that nothing, not even the sickness, could stop him from loving this subject.
Benny has received a lot of attention from his family members because of the seizures. However, he disdains his condition and even wishes to see that attention given to his sister instead of him. His physical condition has been a cause of depression. He sometimes suffers from the lack of sleep as well. However, he has received significant support from both his friends and family. The major needed adjustment case here is helping Benny Smith deal with his epileptic state so that he can achieve his academic goals as well as lead an ordinary life.
Evidence-based Strategies in Benny Smiths Epileptic Case
One of the strategies that could be applied to improve Bennys case is anticonvulsant therapy. It involves the administering of drugs that relieve pain or hostile feelings associated with the seizures. This clinical method also helps control the number of the seizures that occur after the treatment. This approach would be suitable in Bennys case, as it would help him attend school and feel normal.
Self-management and education will also play a vital role in helping Benny deal with his epileptic condition. Any of the parents can make him understand his situation. This comprehension will help him know what triggers his seizures. Additionally, he will be aware of the feeling and objects he needs to avoid so as to cope well with possible complications beforehand. For instance, lack of sleep is known to be one of the epileptic triggers. The consumption of large quantities of caffeine can also cause seizures. In Bennys case, he has confessed that sometimes he suffers from insomnia. It is possible that this is one of the triggers of the seizures. Informing him about such outcomes of the lack of sleep will assist him in avoiding them. Additionally, he can take medication to cure insomnia, if required. These actions will help redirect the attention of his relatives thus making him feel more comfortable.
The ketogenic diet is another suitable strategy for dealing with Bennys seizures. Its plan involves eating foods that contain a lot of fat, but few carbohydrates. The aim of this diet is to burn fat for energy instead of sugar. The glucose travels directly to the neurons in the brain hence preventing the seizures. Such a diet can be designed specifically for Benny, as it has been proven to reduce the frequency of seizures.
In conclusion, people face situations that require them to adjust their lifestyles. In the case of trauma, there are certain strategies that one can undertake in order to overcome possible complications. Some of these strategies may be effective, while others may fail, depending on the extent of the damage that has been cause by trauma. As discussed above, specific strategies have been applied in various situations and their success has been proven. Patients who have experienced trauma have used different types of therapies that have helped them recover. Additionally, children with epileptic seizures have been subject to anticonvulsant therapy, ketogenic diet as well as self-management, all of which have improved their condition. As a result, people who have not even suffered traumatic experiences should consider some of these strategies, as they improve the quality of human life.
