Trauma is one of the mutest words with innumerable emotional interpretations. The nature of trauma is complex and the psychological impact runs deep that sometimes one may not even remember the cause of the pain inflicted but continue to suffer its symptoms. However David Kinchin, author of ‘Supporting Children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder’ (2001), ‘Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the Invisible Injury’ (2005), ‘A Guide to Psychological Debriefing’ (2007) to name a few, assures that help is at hand. He also wrote the course material for ‘Certificate in Living and Working with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)’, a distant learning programme to help PTSD victims and aspiring counsellors. Kinchin himself a victim of the condition has now become the leading expert of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) in UK and around the world. He shares his understanding of PTSD experiences with Medindia.

Q. When you conduct seminars on PTSD, what are the general concerns of people? What kind of people or group participate the most during such programmes, including the people who sign up for the PTSD Distant Learning Programme?

A. Over the years I have conducted a wide variety of different courses and seminars, workshops and training days on PTSD. They have ranged from an hour long session, to courses which span four days!

You can imagine that covers a wide variety of different needs in delegates who attend. Some simply want information about the illness which is affecting a loved one. Some are in positions of responsibility and wish to know how to deal with PTSD cases. Some are medical staff in emergency units who want to know how to react to those who have been traumatised but who have yet to be diagnosed as suffering from PTSD. The longer course is usually about ‘Emotional Decompression’ which is more commonly known as ‘Psychological Debriefing’. These courses are usually for peer groups or counsellor groups who wish to train as a first line of attack against PTSD and wish to do the ‘defusing’ or ‘debriefing’ of those who have been exposed to trauma in whatever guise it comes in.

I enjoy the wide variety of courses and training I have been able to offer, and I am constantly thinking of new ways to present the material.

The types of delegates vary unbelievably. The partners of PTSD sufferers are perhaps the most rewarding as they bring so much material (just like case studies) to the course. Of course, confidentiality is the key to all of these courses, and what is said in the room during the course stays in that room. That is the contract which every delegate agrees to at the start.

Q. You have written the course material for ‘Certificate in Living And Working With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)’, what are the criteria you consider before you validate a person as eligible for a programme on treating or counselling PTSD victims?

A. The Distance Learning course “Living and Working with PTSD” has a broader scope than you suggest. It is open to anyone with an interest in PTSD. So far, we have had students who are trained in counselling, who wish to broaden their knowledge, we have had doctors who wish for a great understanding of what their patients are experiencing. On the other hand we have the partners of PTSD sufferers, and even those who have the disorder themselves. It is a vastly broad group.

A way of observing the effect the course is having on candidates is that I am the only tutor at present. I am able to monitor the progress each student is making, and offer different options for assignments depending upon who they are and what they are. Hence, although it is just one course, there are a variety of paths through the course which are tailored to suit people’s needs. So far, we have only turned a handful of people away from the course with the suggestion that they are not quite ready for this studying – yet!

The course is not just about treating and counselling those with PTSD – it is also about a broader understanding.

Q. Symptoms of PTSD could be a result of any form of violence, not solely war or bullying. Besides it is easier to recognise symptoms in another person, but how is it possible to identify the symptoms in one self?

A. PTSD can result from any form of trauma. It doesn’t have to be violence. A car crash for example! A badly managed delivery of a baby or a poor medical procedure can result in PTSD. We have to remember what a broad base PTSD sufferers come from.

When looking at oneself, it is important to look for changes. These have to follow an exposure to a trauma or life threatening event. For example, the extrovert might become very shy and withdrawn (the opposite also is true). The very sober person takes to drinking. The person who sleeps well suddenly is unable to sleep and gain any real quality of rest – they wake up feeling exhausted. Dreams become nightmares and often repeat the same scenario in that dream. A person may develop a shake which they are unable to stop. They may resort to ‘recreational drugs’ to help them cope with everyday life. Mostly, people are unable to cope with everyday living. Their life just falls apart.

Q. Do you think people with PTSD are potentially harmful? If yes, how and to whom?

A. Without doubt, those with PTSD can become harmful, both to themselves and to others. They may be at risk of suicide for example. They may start beating their partner or children. They may turn to crime. Sometimes the level of violence within their life is dictated by the degree of violence exhibited in the trauma which affected them. Soldiers are commonly accused of wife beating after they have suffered a trauma.

Sometimes PTSD victims turn to self abuse. They may self harm. Women and girls may have such low self esteem that they turn to prostitution or even give away free sex to strangers. They hold themselves in such low worth.

PTSD sufferers can also turn to crime. They may steal or rob. Sometimes they claim they don’t realise what they are doing. The jury is still out on that one.

Q. Are there chances of PTSD victims imitating the behaviour of their offenders, meaning inflict the same pain on another human being, especially the ones dependent on them?

A. This is perfectly possible, but I don’t recall any direct cases of this myself.

Q. What would you suggest to the people who are in close contact with PTSD victims?

A. The two golden rules:

1. Watch for changes in a person’s character (as already mentioned). These sudden changes which are out of character can be a vital sign that something is wrong.

2. When PTSD is suspected, get professional help as swiftly as possible. It is almost impossible to deal with PTSD on your own.