Crime Witnesses PTSD Rehabilitation

This paper explores the possible benefits of rehabilitation for crime witnesses who suffer from PTSD. It is suggested that rehabilitation might help these individuals to cope with their symptoms and to feel more comfortable testifying in court.

It is estimated that approximately 70% of adults in the United States will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime (Breslau, Kessler, Chilcoat, Schultz, & Davis, 1998). Of those who experience a traumatic event, it is estimated that up to 20% will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Individuals with PTSD often experience a range of symptoms including intrusive thoughts or memories of the trauma, avoidance of people or places associated with the trauma, negative changes in mood and thinking, and increased anxiety and arousal (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

PTSD can be a very debilitating disorder, and it has been shown to have a negative impact on various areas of functioning. For example, individuals with PTSD are more likely to experience problems in their personal relationships, at work, and with their overall mental and physical health (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Given the potentially negative consequences of PTSD, it is important to find ways to help those who suffer from this disorder.

One population that is especially vulnerable to developing PTSD is crime witnesses. A crime witness is defined as an individual who “observes or has direct knowledge of a criminal event” (National Center for PTSD, 2016). Due to the nature of their experiences, crime witnesses are at a higher risk for developing PTSD than the general population. In fact, it has been estimated that up to 50% of crime witnesses will develop PTSD (National Center for PTSD, 2016).

The impact of PTSD on crime witnesses can be significant. For example, individuals with PTSD may have difficulty remembering details of the event, which can make it difficult to testify in court. In addition, PTSD can also lead to social isolation and problems in personal relationships. Given the potential negative consequences of PTSD on crime witnesses, it is important to find ways to help them cope with their symptoms.

One possible intervention for crime witnesses with PTSD is rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is defined as “the process of helping an individual to recover from an illness or injury and to return to normal functioning” (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2016). It is typically used in the context of physical injuries, but it can also be used to help individuals with mental health disorders such as PTSD.

There is some evidence to suggest that rehabilitation can be helpful for individuals with PTSD. For example, one study found that participants who received rehabilitation treatment showed improvements in symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and mood (Ehlers, Clark, & Hackmann, 2002). In addition, another study found that rehabilitation was associated with reductions in social isolation and increases in social support (Bryant et al., 2003). These studies suggest that rehabilitation might be a helpful intervention for crime witnesses with PTSD.