Exam 2 Flashcards
Chapter: 5, 6, 7
Mood Disorders
Depression & Bipolar Disorders
Depressive Disorders
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
Components of Depression
Emotional
Cognitive
Somatic
Behavioral
Components of Depression: Emotional
- Sad mood
- Anhedonia: loss of interest or pleasure in usual activity
Anhedonia
The loss of interest or pleasure in usual activity
Components of Depression: Cognitive
- Trouble concentrating/ easily distracted
- Trouble making decisions
- Thoughts of death/hopelessness about the future
- Guilt
Components of Depression: Somatic
- Fatigue/ heavy feeling
- Changes in appetite (not eating, or excessive eating)
- Changes in sleep
Components of Depression: Behavioral
Psychomotor Retardation:
- Very slow movement or talking or processing (seen less in out-patient, more in in-patient)
Psychomotor Agitation:
- Increased movement or mental activity
Major Depressive Disorder:
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
- 5+ symptoms present for at least 2 weeks:
- Must Include: Sad Mood and/or Anhedonia)
- Symptoms affect most of the day almost every day
- 2+ weeks
- Symptoms cause significant impairment/ distress (in daily life)
Persistent Depressive Disorder:
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
Old name: Dysthymia
** PPD = Chronic condition**
Diagnostic Criteria:
- Depressed mood more days than not for 2+ years
- Additional 2+ other symptoms
Does not qualify if there a break in symptoms is 2+ months
Depression:
Course and frequency
Average Onset Age: early 30s
- (decreased over last 50 years)
Course: ~50% recover within 6 months
COVID: depression rates rose dramatically among children/teens
Depression:
Prevalence (+ Disability Rates)
Prevalence:
- ~16–20% of population experiences depression
- women = 2x more likely be diagnosed w depression
- differences in gender rates peak during adolescence)
Disability Rates:
- Depression =10% of disability worldwide
Depression:
Etiology (causes)
Social Factors:
- stressful life events
Psychological Factors:
- Cognitive theories (ie: The Attribution Theory)
Biological Factors:
- Heritability + Role of Neurotransmitters
Depression - Etiology (causes)
Social Factors
Stressful life events (ie: poverty)
predict Depressive Disorders
- 42-67% of people report a stressful life event in year prior to depression diagnosis:
Depression: Etiology (causes)
Psychological Factors
(Attributions Theory)
Attributions Theory: depression can be caused or worsened by how people explain negative events and how they either attribute outcomes to internal or external causes.
Attribution Style:
-
Internal, Stable, Global (Higher Depression Risk)
- Internal: I failed bc I’m not smart enough
- Stable: I’m not going to be able to keep a job or do well in school
- Global: I’ll fail at everything I do in the future
-
External, Unstable, Specific (Lower Depression Risk)
- External: This was beyond my control
- Unstable: This job was just too demanding for me right now
- Specific: My next job will be a better fit for me
Depression - Etiology (causes)
Biological Factors
(heritability + brain)
Heritability: ~50%
Neurotransmitters:
- Involved: Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and GABA
- Variety of symptoms suggest involvement of different neurotransmitters
-
Serotonin = Leading Theory
- low levels of serotonin cause depression
- Research = Mixed (serotonin: likely not the only cause, but a reaction)
Depression - Etiology (Causes)
Cognitive Theories of Depression
Cognitive Theory: The way we think about events influences how react to them.
- Automatic Negative Thoughts (about self & environment) play a central role in the development and duration of depression
Depression:
Relevant Brain Structures
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex
Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Amygdala
Depression - Relevant Brain Structures:
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
Function: Planning and executive functioning
Pattern: Decreased activity in some studies
Depression - Relevant Brain Structures:
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex
Function: Regulating emotion
Pattern: Increased activity in some studies
Depression - Relevant Brain Structures:
Amygdala
Function: emotional salience
Pattern: Increased activity in response to threat/negative stimuli
Depression - Relevant Brain Structures:
Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Function: motivation, emotion regulation
Pattern: Decreased activity
Depression:
Depression Treatment Types:
Talk Therapy + Medications
Depression - Treatment Types:
Talk Therapy
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
-
Behavioral Activation: Increased engagement with positive/pleasant activities (ex: exercise)
- Engage in positive activities → Experience more pleasure → Improve depressed mood
- Thoughts: Identify Cognitive Distortions + feelings (ex: Catastrophizing)
2. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy:
- Incorporating Mindfulness Techniques into a Cognitive Domain.
- Goal: Thoughts are not facts (observe don’t act)
- Very useful in reducing relapse of depression
Depression: Treatment Types
Medication
- SSRIs → Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
- SNRIs → Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
-
Transcranial-Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- Applies a magnetic pulse to brain
- For treatment-resistant depression
-
Ketamine
- Theory: Suppresses neurotransmitter activity & alters activation patterns & connectivity
- Limited long-term research (Be Cautious)
- Seems to require higher doses
- Exercise / Physical Activity
Depression: Treatment
Combinations & Comparisons of Treatments
Therapy + Medication:
*Combining the two is better than either alone by 10% – 20%
* Medications quicker, therapy longer-lasting effects
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (alone):
- As effective as medication for severe depression
- CBT = more effective than medication at preventing relapse
Bipolar Disorder Types
Two Types:
1. Bipolar Disorder I.
2. Bipolar Disorder II.
_Bipolar I. _→ at least one Manic Episode
Bipolar II.→ Includes hypomanic episodes – not full manic episodes
Bipolar Disorder: Episode Types:
Manic Episode & Hypomanic Episode
Manic Episode: Mania that…
- 1+ weeks, Most of the day, Nearly every day OR requires hospitalization
Hypomanic Episode:
- 4+ days of clear changes in functioning/behavior BUT impairmentisn’t as significant
Bipolar Disorder:
DSM-5 Criteria: Mania/Manic Episode
Must have: both
1. Distinctly elevated or irritable mood
2. Abnormally increased activity or energy
Must have 3 of the following:
- Increased goal-directed activity
- Talkative/ rapid speech
- Racing thoughts
- Decreased need for sleep
- Increased self-esteem
- Distractibility
- Excessive risky behavior
Bipolar Disorder:
Prevalence, Onset Age, Gender
Prevalence:
- Bipolar I. → affects ~1% of population
- Bipolar Types combined → ~ 4%
Average Onset Age: Between 18 - 22 years old
Gender:
- Prevalence: No gender differences
- Symptoms: Women report more depressive episodes
Bipolar Disorder - Suicide Risk
~ 15% of people with a diagnosis die by suicide
25% report suicide attempts
> 50% report suicidal ideation in the past 12 months
Bipolar Disorder:
Biological - Gene’s
Heritability = high.
* Ranges from 70-90% heritability
Shares genetic risk factors with schizophrenia and MDD
Bipolar Disorder: Etiology (causes)
Biological: Brain + Genetics
Heritability = high.
* Ranges from 70-90% heritability
Genetics → Shares genetic risk factors with Schizophrenia and MDD
Brain:
- Reduced Volume: Prefrontal, & Limbic Structures
-
Increased Activation: emotion regions (amygdala + striatum)
- increased response to high rewards
- Mania → Hypersensitivity to dopamine receptors
Bipolar Disorder:
Reward Sensitivity
Reward Sensitivity: How motivated/excited a person is to obtain a reward
- increased response to reward cues
- Reward Sensitivity: Predicts BP onset & severity of symptoms
Bipolar Disorder:
Goal Striving
Goal Striving: Increased pursuit of extreme goals
- Ie: if you do this thing you will win a million dollars
- Atypical Goal Striving → Predicts future Mania symptoms & onset of BD
Bipolar Disorder: Treatments
- Medication: 1st line of treatment
- Talk Therapy: very useful when paired with medication
Bipolar Disorder Treatments: Medication
Medications:
- Mood stabilizers
- Anticonvulsants
- Antipsychotics
Mood Stabilizer: Lithium
- Very effective Mood Stabilizer
* 1/3 of patients = dramatic improvement
* 1/3 = some improvement
* 1/3 = no improvement - Protective Against Suicide
Antidepressants = Risky Meds:
- Potential to trigger Mania
* BUT helpful when paired with Mood Stabilizers to prevent triggering mania
Risky Behaviors: Medication non-compliance is high in BD
Bipolar Disorder Treatments: Talk Therapy
- Psychoeducation & Family-Focused Education
-
Social Rhythms Therapy
- Create Routines + Life Charts to help regulate mood (ie: sleep)
- Life Carting: Identifying personal patterns & triggers
-
Goal Regulation
- Break down large goals into smaller steps (goal pacing)
-
Behavioral Activation
- use it carefully start small, build up
Bipolar Disorder: Art & Creativity
Bipolar Disorder: x10 more prevalent in artists
Suicide: Who is affected?
Experience that cuts across disorders
- ie: bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, substance abuse, anorexia
Suicide: Prevalence
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death
- 2nd leading cause in ages: 10 - 35 years old
Suicide: Gender Differences
- Men ~4x to commit suicide
- Women are more likely to attempt suicide
- Highest death rates in White Men
Suicidal Thoughts
Adolescents:
- 24% of high school girls and 15% boys have serious suicidal thoughts
- Most students that had suicidal thoughts did not act on them
- more common in people with depression
Suicide:
Social & Psychological Influences
Social Influences:
- Economic recessions
- Media reports of suicide
- Social Isolation
- Access to means
Psychological Influences:
- Difficulty with problem-solving
- Hopelessness
- Impulsivity
Suicide: Treatments
- Safety Protocols preventative
- Hospitalization
- Means Restriction (decrease access to lethal things)
2: Evidence-Based Treatments
* Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
* Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CT-SP)
Suicide: Preventing Suicide
- Social / Environmental Prevention:
- Healthcare access + Government programs
- Reduce stigma of mental illness
- Treat the associated mental health disorder
Anxiety:
The 5 CORE Anxiety Disorders
- Specific Phobias
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder
- Agoraphobia
Anxiety: Fear vs. Anxiety
Fear:
* Present focused: response to immediate danger/threat
* Intensity builds quickly
**Anxiety: **
* Future focused: anticipate and prepare
* ongoing feeling/worry of anticipation
* Example: Thinking about an upcoming project that’s due
Anxiety:
The Yerkes-Dodson Law: Inverted U-Model
There is an optimal level of arousal (stress) that maximizes performance
- Low arousal = low performance
- Moderate arousal = Optimal Performance
- High arousal = declining performance
Anxiety: (fear/anxiety)
“Normal” to “Disordered”
Disordered when…
- Symptoms are pervasive and persistent
- It involves excessive avoidance
- It causes significant distress and impairment
Anxiety:
Comorbidity Rates
Internal:
- > 50% of ppl with one anxiety disorder meet criteria for another anxiety
disorder
External:
- 75% meet criteria for another psychological disorder
- 60% also have depression
Anxiety: Prevalence
Anxiety Disorders = one of the most common mental disorders
BUT
- only ~25% of people who qualify for diagnosis seek treatment (so estimates are likely off)
Anxiety Disorders: Specific Phobia
Textbook Definition: Persistent, irrational, narrowly defined fears that are associated with a specific object or situation.
DSM-5 Definition: Intense, persistent fear of a specific object or situation that is excessive or unreasonable.
Anxiety Disorders: Specific Phobia
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
- Immediate fearful response to phobia exposure
- Avoidance / Endured w intense Distress
- Persistent fear, anxiety, & avoidance: 6+ months
- Affects daily life
Anxiety Disorders: Specific Phobia
Prevalence
- ~12% of the general population (may be an underestimation)
- 3x more common in women
Anxiety Disorders: Specific Phobia
Facts (course, age, comorbidity)
- Chronic – phobias don’t usually go away with treatment
- Age of onset varies widely
- Often comorbid with other specific phobias
Anxiety Disorders: Specific Phobia
Etiology (Causes)
Evolutionary Adaptation - being scared helped protect us from harm
Classical Conditioning - When a stimulus is paired with something scary, we can become conditioned to fear the stimulus.
- ie: Baby Albert wasn’t scared of the Rat, but when it was paired with a load noise (feared stimulus) → the baby became conditioned to fear the Rat
- phobia translated
Anxiety Disorders: Specific Phobia
Treatments
Medications – NOT recommended
- Meds = Short-Term Solution (can become a “safety behavior”)
- Benzodiazepines = addictive & short-term solution
- Beta Blockers = not addictive, but are short-term solutions
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) –- Highly Effective and Quick!
- Exposure therapy
- In-vivo exposure (real life exposure)
- Imaginal exposure
Levels of exposure, slowly increase (ie: level 1 = room filled with dog toys, level 10 = petting a dog)
Anxiety Disorders: Social Anxiety Disorder
(aka: Social Phobia)
Definition
DSM-5 Definition: “Fear or anxiety specific to social settings, in which the individual feels noticed, observed, or scrutinized.”
- Social Anxiety Disorder = ALMOST identical to Specific Phobia definition in DSM-5
Anxiety Disorders: Social Anxiety Disorder
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
- Fear of social rejection (and that others will notice your anxiety)
- Social interaction cause distress
- Social interaction is avoided or endured with intense anxiety/distress
- Fear and anxiety are disproportionate to the situation
_KEY COMPONENT: Fear of Evaluation_
Anxiety Disorders: Social Anxiety Disorder
Prevalence
- ~12% of the general population
- Slightly higher rates in women
Anxiety Disorders: Social Anxiety Disorder
Facts (course, age, comorbidity, impairment)
- Chronic – doesn’t usually go away with treatment
- Onset age: Adolescents – Early Adulthood
- High comorbidity with other anxiety disorders and depression
- Impairment Ranges: moderate to severe
Anxiety Disorders: Social Anxiety Disorder
Treatments
Medication:
- SSRIs → Very effective
- BUT relapse rates = high when medication is stopped
Psychological Treatments:
- Cognitive Behavioral (Preferred method of treatment by AMA)
- ie: exposure, rehearsal, role-play in group settings
- Social Skills Training
- ie: Extensive modeling of behaviors
- Attention Bias Modification Training
- A computer-based method that helps retreain people to focus on positive stimuli instead of negative stimuli.
- seems to help reduce anxiety (more data needed to know how long affects last)
Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Definition
Textbook Definition: “Excessive and uncontrollable worry about a number of events or activities, and associated with symptoms of (physical) arousal.”
Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
- Excessive worry at least 50%
- Trouble controlling these worries
At least 3 of the following:
- Restlessness or feeling “keyed up” or on edge
- Easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going “blank”
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbance (falling asleep, restless sleep)
Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Prevalence
- Lifetime prevalence ~ 6%
- Gender: 2x more women than men (approximately 2:1 ratio)
Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Facts (course, heritability, comorbidity)
- Often a chronic condition
- Heritability ~33%
- Comorbidity: High overlap with MDD
Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBD)
- Identify, track, and challenge worries
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
- Focus on present moment
- When mind wanders to ‘what ifs’, gently bring it back to present
- Relaxation strategies
- Identifying thoughts + emotions remembering anxieties aren’t facts
- Self-compassion
Medications
* SSRIs
* Benzos – not a good solution
Anxiety: Generalized Anxiety Disorder vs. Major Depression Disorder
GAD symptoms vs. MDD Symptoms)
Big Differences:
- GAD = Big worries + Trouble controlling worries
- MDD = Sad Mood + Anhedonia (difficulty experiencing pleasure)
Anxiety Disorders: Panic Disorder/ Panic Attack
Definition
DSM-5 (in class) Definition: “A sudden onset of intense apprehension, terror, and/or feelings of impending doom, peaks quickly (10 minutes)”
Anxiety Disorders: Panic Disorder
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
- Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
- Persistent worry about having another panic attack
- or about the consequences of another attack (losing control, having heart attack, “going crazy,” etc.)
- Significant change in behavior because of/related to attacks (ie: avoidance)
- Can occur with or without Agoraphobia (The Fear of being in a situation difficult to escape or receive help)
Anxiety Disorders: Panic Attack
Symptoms
Physical Symptoms:
- shortness of breath, chills, chest pain, etc…
Psychological symptoms:
- Depersonalization—feel like outside body
- Derealization—feel like world isn’t real
- Fear of losing control/going “crazy”
- Fear of dying
Anxiety Disorders: Panic Attacks / Disorder
Prevalence, gender, course
- ~3-4% of the population
- 2x as prevalent in women
- ~20% of college students have a panic attack (most only have one)
- Intermittent Course - goes away, but comes back
Anxiety Disorders: Panic Attacks / Disorder
Facts
- First attack usually experienced after high stress situation
- The _response_ to panic attack determines if one develops Panic Disorder
- Many adults who experience attack, never go on to develop Panic Disorder
Anxiety Disorders: Panic Disorder
Treatment
Medication:
- Benzodiazepines – not recommended, relapse frequent
Therapy:
-
Exposure is key – and very effective!
- Interoceptive Exposure: exposure to physical sensations associated w panic attack
- Goal: watch anxiety go up, cope with it, learn that you will be okay
Anxiety:
Treatment DURING a Panic Attack
During a panic attack – focus on present moment
- Focus on Breath
- What can you see, hear, taste, smell to help bring you to present
- wait for symptoms to lessen
Anxiety:
Types of Exposure Therapy
In Vivo Exposure: Exposed to the fear in real life
Imaginal Exposure: Imagining a fear vividly
Interoceptive Exposure Triggering physical sensations to learn they are not harmful
Virtual Reality Exposure: Being exposed to the fear via VR
Anxiety Disorders:
Agoraphobia Definition
The fear or anxiety about being in situations difficult to escape or receive help
Anxiety Disorders: Agoraphobia
DSM-5 Criteria
Fear or anxiety about being in situations
difficult to escape or receive help
- These situations are avoided or endured with intense fear/anxiety
Note: Often portrayed as being house bound, but it’s not necessarily the case
Anxiety Disorders
Genes & Heritability
- Anxiety = 30-60% heritable
- Some genes may elevate risk for disorders
- Genetic vulnerability for anxiety &
depression may overlap
Anxiety Disorders
Neurobiological / Relevant Brain Regions
Relevant Brain Regions:
- Limbic System is Key*
* Heightened activity in the amygdala / insula
* Diminished activity of the prefrontal cortex in response to threatening stimuli
Neurotransmitters:
- Serotonin and GABA are disrupted
- Norepinephrine levels increases
Sympathetic Nervous system involved: physical symptoms
Anxiety Disorders: Panic Disorder
Positive Feedback Loop
Positive Feedback Loop
When a person reacts anxiously to their physical symptoms this increases their anxiety.
Anxiety Disorders:
Treatment Across Anxiety Disorders
Exposure Therapy: effective for 70–90% of clients who do it
Mindfulness/relaxation and acceptance: A promising approach
Medications: Effective, but high relapse rates when medications are stopped
(SSRIs better long-term choice)
Psychological treatments are the preferred method
Anxiety Prevention
School prevention programs
- may be helpful in reducing future anxiety symptoms / disorders BUT evidence is mixed
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Definition
OCD = The presence of unwanted intrusive thoughts and/or habitual behaviors
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
DSM-5 Criteria
Obsessions:
- Recurrent, persistent and unwanted thoughts, impulses or images
- thoughts are: Intrusive, inappropriate, irrelevant/irrational
- Thoughts are not just excessive worries about real life problems
- Attempt to suppress, ignore thoughts or try to neutralize with some other thought /action (i.e., compulsion)
Compulsions:
- Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or rule that must be followed
*Acts are done to reduce anxiety or distress or to prevent an obsessive thought
* they are excessive or aren’t realistically connected
OCD Facts
Prevalence, Gender, Age of onset, Course
Prevalence: only ~ 1-2% of the population
Gender: Equal effect
- Men = childhood, earlier onset, (possibly more chronic course)
Onset Age = 19.5 years
- 25% of cases start by 14 years
Course: Chronic Condition
- can be extremely severe and debilitating
OCD Genetic Influence
Genetics + Comorbidity
Moderate genetic influences
- Twin consistency: MZ twins = 57%, DZ twins = 22%
Comorbidity: Comorbid with mood and substance use disorders
OCD Treatment
Medical Treatment:
- SSRIs
- Benefit about 60%
- Relapse is common when medication is stopped (without therapy)
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy:
- Most effective treatment for OCD
-
(ERP) Exposure and Response Prevention:
-
Very effective
* BUT… 1/3 unwilling to begin ERP (and 1/3 who start it, drop out)
-
Very effective
Deep brain stimulation: Only in extremely severe (treatment resistant) cases
OCD Treatment:
Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)
Set up situations that will trigger compulsions
ERP Therapy + SSRIs = Best/Most effective treatment plan
OCD Etiology (causes)
Heritability + Brain
Heritability: range of 40% - 50%
Brain:
- Frontal-Striatal Circuitry: Over activity when shown stimuli that provoke obsessions
- Successful treatment of OCD using ERP (exposure therapy) results in less overactivity in these brain regions reduces
OCD Cognitive Model
Cognitive Model: People with OCD try harder to suppress their obsessions than others.
- White Bear Experiment: “Don’t think about the bear!!” → instruction actually makes you think about the bear WAY more.
- Theory: Paradoxical Effect. Actively trying to suppress thoughts makes you think about them more
OCD Psychodynamic Model
Obsessions/Compulsions come from unconscious conflict you are trying to suppress
Trauma Related Disorders:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Acute stress syndrome
Dissociative Disorders
- Dissociative Amnesia
- Dissociative Fugue
- Dissociative Identity Disorder (aka Multiple Personality Disorder)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Definition, Cause, & Symptoms
PTSD Definition: Recurring symptoms of numbing, re-experiencing, and hyperarousal following exposure to a traumatic stressor.
Cause = Exposure to trauma
Symptom Domains:
- Intrusive Memories
- Avoidance
- Negative changes in mood and thoughts
- Changes in physical / emotional reactions
PTSD: What is Trauma?
DSM-5 Definition of Trauma
DSM-5 Trauma Definition: “Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence.”
PTSD Symptom Domains:
Intrusive Memories
PTSD Symptom: Intrusive Memories
Unwanted memories of traumatic events, flashbacks or nightmares.
- memories that cause intense discomfort in response to reminders of trauma
PTSD Symptom Domain:
Avoidance
PTSD Symptom: Avoidance
Avoiding reminders of the trauma:
- Internal Avoidance: Memories, thoughts or feelings
- External Avoidance: People, places, activities
PTSD Symptom Domain:
Negative Changes in Mood & Thoughts
PTSD Symptom: Negative Changes in Mood & Thoughts
- Decreased Interest & Pleasure
- Negative thoughts about self & others
- Trouble recalling aspects of the trauma
PTSD Symptom Domain:
Changes in Physical / Emotional Reactions
PTSD Symptom: Changes in Physical / Emotional Reactions
- Irritable
- Reckless or self-destructive behavior
- Hyper vigilance
- Exaggerated startle response
- Trouble concentrating
- Sleep disturbance
Acute Stress Disorder
(Definition + Issues
Definition: Just like PTSD, but symptoms only between 3 days – 1 month
Issues w Diagnosis: Are we pathologizing/stigmatizing a common, short-term response to serious trauma? Is this harmful?
PTSD Prevalence & Course
Prevalence: ~7%
- Women = 2x more likely as men to develop ptsd
- but men are more likely to be exposed to trauma)
Course: ~ 33% report symptoms 10 years later
PTSD Most Common Traumas
Most common traumas:
- Sexual assault
- Accidents (man-made and natural)
- Combat
PTSD Comorbidity
Commonly Comorbid With:
- other anxiety disorders
- depression
- substance abuse
PTSD Psychosocial Risks
- Self-blame
- Conditioning / Learning:
- flashbacks triggered by cues
reminded of trauma (result of post-trauma Fear Conditioning)
- flashbacks triggered by cues
- Avoidance / Operant conditioning
- avoidance initially alleviates anxiety, but keeps it long term
- The brief alleviation of anxiety makes us avoid more → Operant Conditioning (rewarded behavior)
PTSD - Neurobiology
Hippocampus: Smaller in size & less activity
- Limbic system is also important
Heritability: No reliable data for who will develop PTSD after trauma
PTSD: Protective Factors
- Cognitive abilities – problem solving/ reasoning skills
- Emotional Regulation Skills
- Social connectedness
- Active Coping
PTSD Treatments
a. Medication
b. Prolonged Exposure
c. Cognitive Processing Therapy
d. EMDR (Eye-movement desensitization
and reprocessing)
PTSD Treatment (Medical)
Medications:
- SSRIs
- Benzodiazepines - often prescribed but NOT a good approach
PTSD Treatment (Prolonged Exposure)
Prolonged Exposure:
- Building up resources - Relaxation Training
- Imagery Rehearsal - Describing Trauma in Detail
- Exposure - Confront feared or avoided triggers
PTSD Treatment: Cognitive Processing
Therapy
more tolerable than ERP bc there is no exposure
- Identify Problematic Beliefs
- Challenge them
- Write about impact
- Process Emotions
PTSD treatment: EMDR
Recalling trauma memory while focusing on specific eye movements.
- Helps the brain reprocess the memory in a way that reduces its emotional impact
not supported by evidence, but not harmful (if it makes you go to therapy, great!)
Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative Amnesia – sudden gaps in memory
Dissociative Fugue sudden extensive memory loss
Dissociative Identity Disorder having multiple personalities
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
Definition + Disclaimer
used to be called: Multiple Personality Disorder
Definition: “Disruptions of identity characterized by 2 or more distinct personality states (alters)”
Disclaimer:
- Controversial
- Research is limited
- Info comes from select peopleD
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
- Disruptions of identity characterized by 2 or more distinct personality states (alters):
- Gaps in memory of events or important personal information that is beyond ordinary forgetting
DID Terminology
(Host, Alters, Switch, System)
Host ⇒ the main person (the identity that keeps other identities together)
Alters ⇒ the different Identities/ States
Switch ⇒ the transition from one personality to the other
System ⇒ collection of alters
DID - Prevalence
DID Prevalence: No good data (we don’t know)
DID - Diagnostic Age
- Rarely diagnosed until adulthood
- Most receive mental health treatment for ~7 years before diagnosis
DID - Alters
- Most people have initially 2-4 alters identified when diagnosed
- Average number of identities after diagnosis is ~10-15 different Alters
DID - Comorbidity Rates
DID = High Comorbidity Rates
Comorbid with: PTST, Depression, Substance Abuse Disorders
DID Etiology (causes)
Cognitive Theories: (limited research)
- Trauma - Experiencing severe _early childhood trauma _
- Socio-cognitive Model - DID is not naturally occurring but is caused by suggestion, reinforcement in therapy or society, and role-play.
Neurobiological Causes: super limited research
- Hippocampal + Amygdala volume differences
- Brain activation patterns?
DID Etiology: Socio-Cognitive Model
Therapists Role in Development:
- DID could be caused or enhanced by post-trauma treatment.
- Suggestive therapy techniques might promote symptoms in vulnerable people
Media:
- Pre Sybil = 79 DID cases → Post Sybil = thousands…
- TikTok + YouTube → increased interest and diagnoses (self-diagnosis increase)
DID Etiology: Brain
Hippocampal + Amygdala volume differences
- PTSD has very similar Brain changes…
- DID is highly comorbid with PTSD
- (hard to know if DID is just related to the PTSD …?)
- Brain activation patterns?
- super limited research
- most reliable info: Prefrontal
Dysfunction
DID Treatment - Psychodynamic Approach
Psychodynamic Approach:
- Believes DID comes from trying to block traumatic events from consciousness (repress)
- Treatment Goal: Overcome Repression
Phase approach:
1. Stabilize / gain trust (could take years)
2. Confront and process traumatic memories and emotions
3. Manage daily living – less reliance on dissociation
- Hypnosis = can worsen symptoms*
Overall: No well-validated treatments available