Exam 2 - PTSD Flashcards
Trauma Related Disorders:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Acute stress syndrome
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Definition, Cause, & Symptoms
PTSD Definition: Recurring symptoms of numbness, 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 Treatment (Medical)
Medications:
- SSRIs
- Benzodiazepines - often prescribed but NOT a good approach
