Post Traumatic Stress Disorder :: Post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD

IntroductionThere has been a proliferation of interest in the schooling and disposition of individuals view patterns and processes following damagetic psychological film (Ehlers, Mayou, & Bryant, 1998). In particular, previous research has suggested that specific thinking styles and patterns preceding trauma predict a greater vulnerability and a poorer long-term vista of posttraumatic stress disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) (Dalgleish, 2004). Moreover, the literature has illustrated that adolescents hatful be predisposed to create posttraumatic stress disorder which develops as a result of either direct or indirect exposure to a trauma. For example, witnessing a trauma directly or learning close a specific traumatic event see by others (Finkelhor & Dziuba-Leatherman, 1994). Previous research has highlighted that adolescents that have been exposed to a trauma and PTSD may also be more vulnerable to ontogeny aggressive and antisocial behaviours (Falshaw, Browne & Hollin, 1996), alcohol and drug dependence, hypervigilance and impulsive muck up (Lynam, Caspi, Moffitt, Wikstrm, Loeber & Novak, 2000). Erwin, Newman, McMackin, Morrissey and Kaloupek (2000) suggest that a reason for this is that early exposure to trauma can have severe impact on adolescents process in terms of their emotions, cognition and behaviour, poor self-regulation and information-processing. Adding to this, Tyson & Goodman, (1996) suggest that it is these deficits in function coupled with the individuals inability to regulate emotions that predispose them to agreeable in protective aggression and dangerous re-enactment behaviours as a commission of dealing with their exposure to trauma.The link between dysfunctional cognitions and PTSD has been wide explored by various researchers, and it has been suggested that a tight relationship exists between PTSD and antisocial behaviour in youths (Danckwerts & Leathem, 2003). However, little is yet known about the psychologic al mechanisms which underlie the relationship. This literature review will explore the inherent mechanisms which predict a greater vulnerability to the onset, development and maintenance of PTSD associated with young offenders. More specifically, depressive cognitions such as rumination and counterfactual thinking will be explored with reference to their link with PTSD. Defining Rumination and conditional ThinkingIndividuals affected by PTSD often report symptoms of unvarying ruminative thinking associated with a traumatic experience. The DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) does not however distinguish intrusive rumination and intrusive memories associated with the trauma in the development of PTSD. However, more recently various theoretical perspectives propose that the two ar functionally distinct and should be regarded as separate entities (Ehlers & Clark, 2000 Joseph, Williams & Yule, 1997 Ehlers & Steil, 1997).