|
|
|
Understanding and Counseling Youth Involved In Motor Vehicle Accident By: Eric Kazenga
The problem Of Motor Vehicle Accident Identifying Problems Caused By Trauma Indications of trauma having affected the human spirit Dealing With People Whose Spirit Has Been Affected By Trauma Caused by MVA How to Counsel Youth in Trauma Caused By Motor Vehicle Accident?
Jane, a nineteen year old single, was driving to a church youth meeting on a Friday afternoon. In order to get there, she took the freeway planning to travel several exists. As she left the on-ramp, her car struck at high speed in the rear by a large recreational vehicle. The driver was a twenty-two year old with little driving experience. It was later discovered that he was drinking alcohol attempting to answer his cell phone at the time of the accident.
Jane’s car was totally demolished, but she survived because she was wearing her seat belt and the vehicle had air bags. However, she was trapped for several hours before she could be extricated. Her injuries were extensive, and it took seven moths of rehabilitation and convalescence before she could return to her school and activities. Unfortunately, she continued to suffer from chronic back pain and had problems focusing at work. Before the accident she had been open, adventurous, and gregarious afterward, she had little interest in participating in the social, church activities she formerly enjoyed. Her youth pastor Tim, observed that Jane had become detached and withdrawn from others, especially her family and close friends. She refused to drive and was nervous, on edge, and easily upset as a passenger, particularly if a large vehicle came near. In addition, she had intense nightmares about the accident. Jane parents stated to recognize the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder two months after the accident. Jane continued to re-experience the terrifying even in recurrent and intrusive nightmares. She avoided situations with the accident and experienced a general emotional numbness.
The problem Of Motor Vehicle Accident
According to a recent study by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, an estimated 284,000 distracted drivers are involved in serious crashes each year (Stutts, Reinfurt, Staplin, and Rodgamn, 2001). Researches found that drivers were most often distracted by something outside their vehicles (29.4 percent), followed by adjusting a radio or CD player (11.4 percent). Drivers under the age of twenty were especially likely to be distracted by tuning a radio or changing CDs.
It is estimated that over 100 million cellular subscribers in the United States use their phone while driving (Cellular Telecommunications Industry, 2003; Goodman et al., 1999). Because of safety concerns associated with cell phone use while driving, several legislative efforts have been made to restrict cell phone use on the road (Hahn, Tetlock, & Burnett, 2000; Hahn & Dudley, in press). In most cases, the legislation restricts the use of hand-held phones but permits the use of hands-free phones while driving. In fact, several researchers have reported that driving is impaired by concurrent cell phone use (Alm & Nilsson, 1995; Briem & Hedman, 1995; Brookhuis, De Vries, & De Waard, 1991; McKnight & McKnight, 1993; Strayer & Johnston, 2001; Strayer, Drews, & Johnston, 2003); however, the precise impact of cell-phone driving on traffic safety is unknown. In their seminal article, Redelmeier and Tibshirani (1997) reported epidemiological evidence suggesting that “the relative risk [of being in a traffic accident while using a cell-phone] is similar to the hazard associated with driving with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit” (p. 465). If this finding can be substantiated in a controlled laboratory experiment, then these data would be of immense importance for public safety.
A survey by the Insurance Research Council in 1997 found that an overwhelming number of cell phone owners (84%) believe that using a phone while driving is a distraction and increases the likelihood of an accident. This corresponds to the A-1 Limousine survey (88%) responses. Additionally, drivers noted on the survey the physical detractions incurred (one hand driving, inability to signal lane changes, having to reach for a phone, sight migration) to the overall distraction of talking and listening to information being relayed leads to inattention. Many had comments written on the survey form (50%) that illustrated their knowledge of cell phone distraction and detraction while driving with the causal relationship leading to accidents.
Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are probably the single most common form of trauma that causes PTSD (Norris, 1992), A survey of four cities in the US, and Canada found that almost 1 in 4 individuals had experienced an MVA at some time during his or her life. Although the majority of persons who survive a serious MVA do not develop mental health difficulties, many do.
Of those who have PTSD, symptoms usually begin within three months of an accident, and the course of the illness varies. Some recover within six months, although others have symptoms that last much longer. Occasionally, the illness does not show until years after the traumatic event. Things that reminds survivors of the crash can be very distressing memories. Ordinary events can serve as reminders to the trauma and can trigger flashbacks or intrusive images. A person having a flashback (which can come in the form of images, sounds, smells, or feelings) may lose touch with reality and believe that the accident is happening again. Anniversaries of the traumatic even are often very difficult.
Major depression and anxiety disorders are also common among MVA survivors. A specific phobia, such as an accident phobia in reaction to an MVA, is an intense fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. If an individual comes in contact with the feared object or situation, he or she may experience panic symptoms (such as increased heart rate, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, faintness, negative thoughts). Such phobias are not extreme fear; rather they are an irrational fear of a particular thing.
PTSD is a diagnosis that identified Vietnam veterans who were unable to deal effectively with normal life after having experienced the trauma of war.
10 ways to recognize PTSD published by the American Counseling Association:
1. Re-experiencing the event through vivid memories or flashbacks 2. Feeling emotionally numb 3. Feeling overwhelmed by or diminished interest in performing normal tasks. 4. Developing unusual interests 5. Crying uncontrollably 6. Isolating oneself from family and friends situations 7. Relying increasingly on alcohol or drugs to get through the day 8. Being extremely moody, irritable, angry, suspicious or frightened 9. Experiencing disturbance in sleep, either too much or too little, nightmares 10. Feeling afraid and sense of doom about the future.
Identifying Problems Caused By Trauma
One aspect of MVA-related PTSD that is different from many other traumas is the increased likelihood of being injured or of developing chronic pain following the event. As the degree of physical injury and fear of dying because of the MVA increase, the greater the likelihood of developing PTSD. Research shows that persons with poor coping skills, mental health problems (such as depression, anxiety disorders), and poor social support before the traumatic event have sometimes been linked to the development of PTSD following severe MVAs.
It is important to identify PTSD and accident phobias quickly and to encourage persons to seek appropriate treatment. If left untreated, these conditions can become chronic.
There are those spiritual problems based on the effects of suffering or trauma. For such people the trauma of life has been so deep and so overwhelming that it has affected their human spirit. These people literally have a damaged spirit, which is in need of healing or comfort. The spirit of such people can be described as broken, failing, poisoned, overwhelmed, grieved or anguished.
This damage to the human spirit is far beyond the normal upsets of life and is a deep and personal wound such as those inflicted by rape, violent crime, death, divorce, deep injustice, cult involvement and torture and motor vehicle accident (MVA). For these people there needs to be prayer ministry and an atmosphere of gentle encouragement. In some cases the damage may be so profound that the person has an "uncontrolled spirit" and is like a city with broken down walls - easily exploited, and easily manipulated. Such people will need much rebuilding of the walls and instructions in setting appropriate personal boundaries. For many damaged people the biblical truths that give hope and grace may need to be repeated often in an atmosphere of love, encouragement and healing prayer. Counselors operating in this area have to be especially gentle and caring and able to spend hours in healing prayer with a single client. Christian and Christian-compatible approaches that have proved helpful here include: Healing of the memories, inner healing.
Indications of trauma having affected the human spirit:
· A distinct event that precipitated the problem. · Painful emotions such as grief, bitterness and sorrow. · Flashbacks, problems with memory. · The person is overwhelmed by life, fearful, or consumed with anxiety. · The person indicates they feel they are emotionally crippled and "lame". · The person communicates that they are broken or damaged inside. · He person pulls away from life and indicates a deep need for comfort and healing, space and privacy, gentleness and restoration. · As you talk to someone you get the sense that you are dealing with both an adult and a damaged child in the same person. · Unusual reactions to normal stimuli. A sense that the person is reacting inappropriately because some wound is being touched.
Dealing With People Whose Spirit Has Been Affected By Trauma Caused by MVA
Social support from friends and family and the active reengagement of the survivor in work and other activities are very important to those suffering from psychological trauma. In our case Jane should be encourage to maintain as much of her pre-accident lifestyle as she is able.
How to Counsel Youth in Trauma Caused By Motor Vehicle Accident?
Basics steps:
Get information regarding the symptoms: Get as much information as you can, ask question of the primary physician; talk to the social worker, have a family consider conference with rehabilitation counselor; go to the library and information; contact community resources.
Distinguish between spiritual and physical symptoms: If physical symptoms are excessive consider medical treatments know possibly alleviate the symptoms. When you do this, you will immediately know the cause of the spiritual problems – they come from the heart, but you will not know the cause of the physical complaints. The physical complaints may be caused by a body that is wasting away, by sin in the person’s life, or by Satan; or they may be a divine affliction for the purpose of teaching a person to rely on God alone.
It is important initially to distinguish between these two categories (Phyiscal and Spiritual) for two reasons:
If we confuse physical for spiritual symptoms, we are liable to hold people morally responsible for physical symptoms
If we confuse spiritual for physical symptoms, we are liable to excuse sin or have little hope for spiritual growth when someone has a psychiatric diagnosis.
To make this distinction, all you need are your two questions:
1. Does the Bible command or prohibit this behavior? 2. Can this behavior be best described as a strength or weakness?
Address heart issues. Ministry to those who are in needs starts with compassion. Rom 12:15; 2 Cor 1: 9-11. Compassion, of course, is much more than sympathizing with a person’s pain. Compassion is active. It knows the isolating nature of the suffering.
Maximize remaining strengths: correct or minimize weaknesses.
1. Be supportive, understanding, loving and caring. Give the person lots of freedom. Let them be angry but don’t let them dwell too long on it.
2. Be extremely patient, do not condemn, do not censure. They are bruised and hurting. Remember "a bruised reed He will not break and a sputtering wick He will not extinguish."
3. Avoid strong emotion. A gentle quite retreat atmosphere is generally far more healing for trauma than a hyped up evangelistic meeting. There is so much strong emotion inside them that they are already overloaded emotionally. Part of healing is to decrease this overloaded emotional level.
4. Above all do not suggest to them how to recover memories. False memory syndrome induced by zealous counselors is very real and very damaging.
5. Where necessary help them seek justice. Empower them to go to the police and through the court system. Many Christians are uncomfortable with this but people need to feel supported and protected and that there is justice in the world. If the offender is hardened and unrepentant and a continuing risk to the community then that offender should not be protected by "gracious" Christians.
6. If they are agreeable pray for them and soak them in loving prayer. Do not expect or demand immediate miraculous outcomes. Just soak them in prayer and let them slowly come face to face with Jesus who heals them. Repeat as necessary.
7. Encourage them to seek God's Presence in prayer and worship.
8. Encourage them to express their feelings via art, acting, music, poetry, writing, pottery, crafts, gardening, keeping pets and other non-destructive outlets.
9. Don't argue but do gently correct false perspectives on life. Much of the continuing damage comes from believing untruths about God, self or others. These need to be gently shown to be false and the person shown who they are in Christ and in the loving eyes of God.
10. Give them lots and lots of time to heal and realize that recovery from trauma may happen in bits and pieces over many years. Don't feel it has to be fixed right now. Let God heal them in God's time.
If you are someone that feels that you may have a broken and damaged spirit do not sit alone and try to heal yourself. You need grace and you need special people and places that have a healing effect on the emotionally damaged. Ask the Lord to lead you to the right people and places where you can find the grace you need.
References and Work Cited:
David L. Strayer, Frank A. Drews, & Dennis J. Crouch University of Utah - Department of Psychology “Fatal distraction? A comparison of the cell-phone driver and the drunk driver” http://www.psych.utah.edu/AppliedCognitionLab/DrivingAssessment2003.pdf
Liberty Mutual Insurance Group “Comparative Accident Study Cell Phone Usage and Inattention” http://www.njsafety.org/html/cellreport.pdf.
Andrew J. Weaver, Laura T. Flannelly, John D. Preston “Counseling Survivors Of Tramatic Events, A Handbook For Pastors And Other Helping Professionals” Pg 49
John Edmiston “The Book: Biblical EQ Page 66-75”: http://aibi.gospelcom.net/ebooks/BEQ/
|
|
|
© 2008
Christian Youth Counseling Ministry.
|