| Info
sheet
10 Stages of Acute
Traumatic Stress Management (ATSM):
A Brief Summary
Reprinted from
Acute Traumatic Stress Management™
by Mark D. Lerner, Ph.D. and Raymond D. Shelton, Ph.D.
© 2001 by The American Acadmey of Experts in Traumatic Stress,
Inc.
1. Assess for any danger or safety
concerns.
Are there factors that can compromise
your safety or the safety of others?
2.
Consider the mechanism of injury.
How did the event physically and perceptually
impact upon the individual?
3. Evaluate the level of responsiveness.
Is the individual alert and responsive? Under the influence
of a substance?
4. Address medical needs.
For those who are specifically trained to manage acute
medical conditions.
5. Observe & Identify.
Who has been exposed to the event and who is exhibiting signs of traumatic
stress?
6. Connect with the individual.
Introduce yourself and state your title and/or your position. Once
they are medically evaluated, move the individual away from the stressor
and begin to develop rapport.
7. Ground the individual.
Discuss the facts and assure safety. Have them "Tell their story."
Discuss behavioral and physiological responses.
8. Provide support.
Be empathic. Communicate a desire to understand the feelings that
lie behind their words.
9. Normalize the response.
Normalize, validate and educate.... "A Normal person
trying to cope with an abnormal event."
10. Prepare for the future.
Review the event, bring the person to the present, describe events
in the future and provide referral.
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| Indicators
Suggestive of a Greater Likelihood of Self-Destructive Potential.
Has previously attempted suicide.
Has a history of self-destructive behavior.
Is talking or writing about suicide.
Has a specific plan.
Has access to a gun or other lethal means.
Is suffering from depression of other mental illness.
Has experienced a prior tragedy (e.g, suicide of family member).
Is involved with alcohol and/or other substances.
Describes their situation as "hopeless".
Has sleep and/or eating disturbances.
Is talking about "not being around...", saying good-bye.
Gives away possessions.
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| "High-risk"
Indicators for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Prior exposure to severe adverse life
events (e.g., combat).
Prior victimization (e.g., childhood
sexual and physical abuse).
Significant losses.
Close proximity to the event.
Extended exposure to danger.
Pre-trauma anxiety and depression.
Chronic medical condition.
Substance involvement.
History of trouble with authority (e.g, stealing, vandalism,
etc.).
Mental illness.
Lack of familial/social support.
Have no opportunity to vent (i.e, unable to tell one's
story).
Strong emotional reactions upon exposure to the event.
Physically injured by event, etc.
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