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Trauma and Physical Disabilities: Another Perspective


Total Credits: 2 including 2 American Psychological Association, 2 California Board of Registered Nurses, 2 State Bar of California, 2 California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals

Categories:
Adult Survivors and Vulnerable Populations
Faculty:
Violet Horvath, Ph.D., MSW, MFA
Course Levels:
Appropriate for All Levels
Duration:
2 Hours

Dates



Description

Trauma is defined essentially as “a very difficult or unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or emotional problems usually for a long time” (Merriam-Webster, 2021). By extension, then, receiving a diagnosis of a serious medical condition and / or physical disability may be viewed as a traumatic experience that may result in ongoing mental or emotional issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021) report that six in 10 adults in the United States have a chronic disease. One in four adults in the United States has a disability (Okoro et al., 2018, as cited in National Institute for Health Care Management, 2020).

While many individuals have received such a diagnosis and medical treatment, anecdotal evidence suggests that mental and emotional needs are going unmet. Physicians focus on medical issues. Those in the helping professions may mistakenly assume that physicians are addressing these needs. As a result, patients are left on their own to deal with life-changing (and sometimes life-threatening) circumstances. They may become depressed, anxious, isolated, or suicidal. They may fear a loss of income or independence, and not know who to turn to for assistance. Family members and friends may not understand the situation, or know where to find help.

This presentation starts with the idea that being diagnosed with a serious medical and / or physical disability can be a traumatic event. It offers anecdotal information that suggests that the mental and emotional needs of persons with these diagnoses are not being addressed, by either physicians or others in helping professions. Finally, it covers factors that may temper or buffer the impacts of these serious diagnoses and offers suggestions for working with affected individuals and their families.

The learning objectives are to:

  1. Cite the definition and types of physical disabilities, and what constitutes a serious medical condition for the purposes of this presentation
  2. Understand that a term does not exist to describe the trauma that may occur as the result of being diagnosed with a serious medical condition and / or physical disability
  3. Learn that the types of mental and emotional support needed may change over time
  4. Be introduced to variables that may temper or buffer the impacts of such diagnoses
  5. Learn some of the ways in which to interact with and support individuals who have received these diagnoses

Handouts

Faculty

Violet Horvath, Ph.D., MSW, MFA's Profile

Violet Horvath, Ph.D., MSW, MFA Related Seminars and Products

Director

Pacific Disabilities Center


Dr. Horvath is Director of Pacific Disabilities Center, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Manoa. She has a Ph.D. in social welfare, master’s degrees in social work and theater, and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and theater. She is also a field instructor in social work for the University of Hawai'i and Hawai'i Pacific University. She previously held positions at the Thompson School of Social Work, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu Community College, and the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Horvath is on the combined research/human studies committee for the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and is a member of the Disability and Communication Access Board. She is a planning committee member for the annual Hawai'i Summit for the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma and recently joined the Ho’omaluhia Advisory Board. In her spare time, to date, she has volunteered for 79 professional golf tournaments since 1999, including PGA, LPGA, and USGA events in Hawai'i and in several other states.