Lecture 7- Trauma Disorders Flashcards
What is Trauma?
Trauma is a response to an event or series of events that are too much for an individual to handle or process at the time. Trauma can disrupt an individual’s ability to function normally in their daily life, work and relationships. Trauma can have both emotional and physical effects, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and even physical symptoms like headaches or chronic pain. Trauma overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope with the situation, leaving them feeling helpless and unable to manage their thoughts and emotions.
Types of Trauma
Complex Trauma
Acute Trauma
Chronic Trauma
Acute Trauma
A single, sudden and overwhelming event that causes immediate distress such as a natural disaster, a car accident or a physical assault
Chronic Trauma
Involves exposure to repeated, prolonged or sustained traumatic events, such as abuse, neglect or living in a war zone, which can have a cumulative and long-lasting impact on an individual’s mental and physical well-being
Complex Trauma
Refers to the experience of multiple, chronic and prolonged traumatic events, often of an interpersonal nature, such as abuse or severe neglect, which typically occur within the caregiving system or close relationships and have a profound impact on the individual’s development and ability to self-regulate
Symptoms of Trauma
Heightened Anxiety-Trauma survivors may experience persistent feelings of worry, fear and hypervigilance
Flashbacks and Nightmares-may re-experience the traumatic event through vivid, intrusive memories and disturbing dreams
Emotion Numbing- Trauma can lead to a disconnection from emotions making it difficult to feel/express feelings
Avoidance Behaviours-Trauma survivors may actively avoid situations, people or activities that remind them of the traumatic event.
Difficulty Concentrating-Trauma can impair an individual’s ability to focus and stay present, leading to cognitive challenges
Percentages of individuals affected by various mental health conditions associated with trauma
PTSD-30%
Depression-50%
Anxiety Disorder-40%
Substance Abuse Disorder-25%
Stress Spectrum
Positive-Eustress
Stress
Negative-Distress
Neurobiology of Trauma: Physiological Stress Response
Trauma triggers the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, preparing the body for a fight-or-flight response
Neurobiology of Trauma: Amygdala Hyperactivation
The amygdala, the emotional centre of the brain, becomes hyperactive during trauma, causing heightened fear and anxiety responses
Neurobiology of Trauma: Hippocampal Dysfunction
Trauma can impair the functioning of the hippocampus, the region responsible for memory formation and spatial awareness, leading to difficulty in contextualizing traumatic experiences
Neurobiology of Trauma: Neuroinflammation
Trauma can induce neuroinflammation, which can further disrupt normal brain functioning and contribute to long-term mental health issues.
The Fight or Flight Response: Physiological Response
Physiological Response: The body’s automatic response to a perceived harmful event, attack or threat to survival
The Fight or Flight Response: Sympathetic Nervous System Activation
This system triggers the release of hormones like adrenaline, which increase heart rate, blood pressure and breathing
The Fight or Flight Response: Increased Glucose and Blood Flow
More glucose and oxygen are sent to the brain and muscles to prepare the body for an emergency response
The Fight or Flight Response: Reduced Non-Essential Functions
Processes like digestion and immune response are temporarily reduced to conserve energy for the fight-or-flight reaction
Trauma’s Window of Tolerance
A concept in the field of trauma-informed care that describes the optimal arousal zone in which a person can function and process information effectively. This zone represents a range of physiological and emotional arousal that allows an individual to respond to stressful situations with flexibility, resilience and a sense of control
Social Effects of Trauma:
Social Isolation: Trauma can lead to individuals withdrawing from social interactions and feeling disconnected from their support networks
Emotional Dysregulation: Trauma can make it difficult for individuals to manage their emotions, leading to outbursts, mood swings and difficulty in interpersonal relationships
Trust Issues: Traumatic experiences can erode an individual’s ability to trust others, making it challenging to form and maintain healthy relationships
Disrupted Routines: Trauma can disrupt an individual’s daily routines and patterns, leading to feelings of instability and a lack of control over their life
Acute Stress Disorder
Mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, a serious accident or a violent crime. Symptoms of ASD include dissociation, intrusive thoughts, avoidance of reminders of the trauma and increased arousal such as difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Acute Stress Disorder Timeframe
ASD symptoms typically begin within 3 days of the traumatic event and can last up to one month. If symptoms persist longer than a month, the diagnosis may shift to PTSD
Acute Stress Disorder Treatment
Treatment for ASD often includes cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and medication, such as anti-anxiety or antidepressant drugs to help manage the symptoms and prevent the development of PTSD
Adjustment Disorder
