1
PYC4802 Exam
66643449
Date: 3 November 2022
, 2
Question 1:
“South Africa is regarded as having “a culture of violence.” This statement can be
heard all over the world. In the following essay I am going to discuss the diagnosis of
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its characteristics. I am also going to
focus on factors that would influence the assessment of PTSD in light of wider
contextual considerations.
South Africa – the culture of violence
Anxiety disorders that arise as a result of exposure to trauma have a particular
bearing on South Africa's high rates of crime, violence, and accidents. The
prevalence of reported PTSD symptoms and the frequency of traumatic events in the
South African population highlight these issues as pressing psychological issues.
Victims of violence typically experience psychological reactions that are comparable
to those of people who have experienced other traumatic events, but they also
experience additional effects. Self-blame is one factor, and shame, especially in rape
victims, is another.
Depression is another common emotion. Assaults and murders, which are human-
caused traumatic events, have a greater impact than accidents and natural
disasters. Among victims of crime, PTSD is more common in those who have
experienced more severe trauma. The majority of criminals do experience some
initial PTSD symptoms that go away over time. In South Africa, for instance,
Xenophobia is a form of violence that affected a lot of foreigners all over the country.
Moving to a new country is stressful enough on its own, but when you add in the
anxiety of being "illegal" and constantly afraid of being arrested and deported, the
loneliness and alienation of being an outsider, and sometimes the added stress of
employers exploiting you, it can lead to substance abuse, anxiety, and depression.
PTSD can also be brought on by physical or verbal assaults and abuse.
All of the above incidents and crime are happening in South Africa at the moment
and therefore South Africa is a culture of violence.
Diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and characteristics
To be diagnosed with PTSD certain criteria are required. Criterion A is the stressor
part of this disorder. The individual was subjected to death, injury, or sexual violence.
The individual was indirectly exposed to aspects of the trauma, typically in the
course of professional duties, direct exposure to the trauma, witnessing the trauma
or learning that a relative or close friend was exposed to a trauma. Criterion B is the
intrusion symptoms. This is where the individual experience the trauma all over
again regularly for example experiencing flashbacks of the events, having
nightmares about the event, the memories of the day comes flooding back that is
very upsetting to the individual and emotional distress after the trauma. Only one of
these symptoms are required. Criterion C is the avoidance part of the disorder. Here
the individual tries to avoid the trauma by avoiding thoughts and feelings regarding
the trauma and also avoiding something that reminds them of the trauma, externally.
Only one of those are required. Criterion D is the negative alterations in cognitions
and mood part of this disorder. Here the individual’s feelings or thoughts of this
PYC4802 Exam
66643449
Date: 3 November 2022
, 2
Question 1:
“South Africa is regarded as having “a culture of violence.” This statement can be
heard all over the world. In the following essay I am going to discuss the diagnosis of
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its characteristics. I am also going to
focus on factors that would influence the assessment of PTSD in light of wider
contextual considerations.
South Africa – the culture of violence
Anxiety disorders that arise as a result of exposure to trauma have a particular
bearing on South Africa's high rates of crime, violence, and accidents. The
prevalence of reported PTSD symptoms and the frequency of traumatic events in the
South African population highlight these issues as pressing psychological issues.
Victims of violence typically experience psychological reactions that are comparable
to those of people who have experienced other traumatic events, but they also
experience additional effects. Self-blame is one factor, and shame, especially in rape
victims, is another.
Depression is another common emotion. Assaults and murders, which are human-
caused traumatic events, have a greater impact than accidents and natural
disasters. Among victims of crime, PTSD is more common in those who have
experienced more severe trauma. The majority of criminals do experience some
initial PTSD symptoms that go away over time. In South Africa, for instance,
Xenophobia is a form of violence that affected a lot of foreigners all over the country.
Moving to a new country is stressful enough on its own, but when you add in the
anxiety of being "illegal" and constantly afraid of being arrested and deported, the
loneliness and alienation of being an outsider, and sometimes the added stress of
employers exploiting you, it can lead to substance abuse, anxiety, and depression.
PTSD can also be brought on by physical or verbal assaults and abuse.
All of the above incidents and crime are happening in South Africa at the moment
and therefore South Africa is a culture of violence.
Diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and characteristics
To be diagnosed with PTSD certain criteria are required. Criterion A is the stressor
part of this disorder. The individual was subjected to death, injury, or sexual violence.
The individual was indirectly exposed to aspects of the trauma, typically in the
course of professional duties, direct exposure to the trauma, witnessing the trauma
or learning that a relative or close friend was exposed to a trauma. Criterion B is the
intrusion symptoms. This is where the individual experience the trauma all over
again regularly for example experiencing flashbacks of the events, having
nightmares about the event, the memories of the day comes flooding back that is
very upsetting to the individual and emotional distress after the trauma. Only one of
these symptoms are required. Criterion C is the avoidance part of the disorder. Here
the individual tries to avoid the trauma by avoiding thoughts and feelings regarding
the trauma and also avoiding something that reminds them of the trauma, externally.
Only one of those are required. Criterion D is the negative alterations in cognitions
and mood part of this disorder. Here the individual’s feelings or thoughts of this
