Nur1046 Trauma-Informed Mental Health Nursing – A Case Study

Trauma-Informed Case Study

Word Count: 2500

Case study write-up of work with a client underpinned by a trauma lens and principles of trauma-informed care

I would like you to reflect on your last clinical placement and recall a person that you worked with who has a history of trauma and present a case study that is trauma-informed and includes the following elements.

• Briefly introduce trauma and mental health nursing practice. (500 words)
  • Define it.
  • Explain what it is.
  • What does the evidence tell us about the impact of trauma?
  • What is trauma-informed mental health nursing practice and why is it important/relevant?
• Please provide an overview of the person’s history of trauma and how this experience has impacted them (consider emotionally, psychologically, socially,physically) (300 words)
• Briefly, present the clinical setting in which you met them
• Personal background- what is their trauma history?
• Considering the neurological impact that trauma can have on an individual, use it as an explanatory framework, discuss how it has impacted the person and use evidence to explain it. (800 words)
• Present how trauma has impacted the person. Relationships difficulties? Emotional regulation? Self-harm?
• Explain how the brain develops.
• Early brain development?
• Attachment theory?
• Interpersonal challenges
• Sensitised Stress response system?
• Disassociation?
• Relate this back to the person.
• Using the principles of trauma-informed care, consider how you have/would work with this person through the lens of trauma.
• Give specific examples relevant to the person’s needs and support them with evidence.
• Present a conclusive reflection on your clinical practice and the influence of trauma-informed care on your current and future practice. Give examples (200words)
• Personal practice challenges?
• What do you now realise?
• Positive changes in mindset?
• The lens by which you look at people.
• What challenges do you envisage, and how might you overcome them?

Refer to relevant and contemporary literature to inform and support this case study.

Guidelines to follow:

1. Please follow the sample guidelines example, that we were showed in class by our lecture.
2. I have added books you can use for referencing, and please the class notes I have included.
3. Don’t use the same scenario. Use the different scenario. That was just an example of scenario.
4. Some of the books you case

• Gabor matte
• SAMHSA 2014/ 2015b etc
• Journal of Christian nursing
• Van der Kolk
• Sweeney, A
• Sandra L bloom, MD
• Angela Sweeney

Note: this are a few of the book, that we are taught in lectures.

5. Please use the references she used in the sample below as well.
6. Refer DCU Library journal/books https://www.dcu.ie/library
7. I am doing Mental Health Nursing 3^rd
8. Placements I have been to Rehabilitation detox, acute setting for mental, day hospital, depo day hospital, high risk hostels.
9. Scenario type I want to focus on a drug addiction with trauma patient.
10. Havard Reference.
11. Very strict lecture, I need high grade on this.
12. Not care plan, reflect on experience of trauma, follow guidelines.
13. 2500 words.

Sample Example

Case study write-up of work with a client underpinned by a trauma lens and principles of trauma-informed care

I would like you to reflect on your last clinical placement and recall a person that you worked with who has a history of trauma and present a case study that is trauma-informed and includes the following elements.

Briefly introduce trauma and mental health nursing practice. (500 words)

1. Define it.
2. Explain what it is.
3. What does the evidence tell us about the impact of trauma?
4. What is trauma-informed mental health nursing practice and why is it important/relevant?

Defining Trauma

Trauma is broadly defined as an event, series of events, or circumstances that an individual experiences as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening, with lasting adverse effects on their mental, physical, social, and emotional well-being (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2014). It can stem from abuse, neglect, violence, loss, or any overwhelming experience that disrupts an individual’s sense of safety, control, and stability.

What is Trauma?

Trauma can be categorized into three primary types: acute, chronic, and complex trauma.

• Acute trauma results from a single distressing event (e.g., a serious accident or assault).
• Chronic trauma occurs when an individual is exposed to prolonged or repeated traumatic experiences (e.g., ongoing domestic abuse).
• Complex trauma develops due to exposure to multiple or prolonged interpersonal traumatic events, often beginning in childhood (e.g., childhood neglect, repeated abuse).

Trauma affects individuals differently, depending on personal resilience, support systems, and the severity of the event. The stress response system may become dysregulated, leading to difficulties with emotional regulation, interpersonal relationships, and mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

What Does the Evidence Say About the Impact of Trauma?

Research consistently shows that trauma can alter brain development, increase vulnerability to mental health disorders, and impact long-term physical health (van der Kolk, 2014). Trauma survivors often develop hypervigilance, emotional dysregulation, dissociation, and difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships (Perry & Szalavitz, 2017). The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study by Felitti et al. (1998) demonstrated a strong link between childhood trauma and long-term mental and physical health outcomes, including higher rates of depression, substance use, and chronic illness.

Trauma can also affect a person’s engagement with healthcare services, making them less likely to seek help due to mistrust, fear, or previous negative experiences in care settings (SAMHSA, 2014). This highlights the critical role of trauma-informed approaches in mental health nursing.

What is Trauma-Informed Mental Health Nursing Practice and Why is it Important?