Lesson 4: Trauma & Stress-Related Disorders Flashcards
The body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response.
Stress
It is any event, experience, or environmental stimulus that causes stress in an individual.
Stressor
The most common type of stress. It’s your body’s immediate reaction to a new challenge, event, or demand, and it triggers your fight-or-flight response.
Acute Stress
As the pressures of a near-miss automobile accident, an argument with a family member, or a costly mistake at work sink in, your body turns on this biological response.
Acute Stress
When acute stress happens frequently.
Episodic Acute Stress
People who have this type of stress are often short-tempered, irritable, and anxious. And they are mostly the people who are “worry warts” or pessimistic or who tend to see the negative side of everything.
Episodic Acute Stress
This is the most harmful type of stress and grinds away over a long period.
Chronic Stress
It occurs when a person never sees an escape from the cause of stress and stops seeking solutions.
Chronic Stress
Sometimes, it can be caused by a traumatic experience early in life.
Chronic Stress
The “emotion regulation center”. Part of the brain that regulates memories and emotion.
Hippocampus
The “Thinking Center”. Part of the brain that got to do with logic, what to do in situations and evaluation of the situation/problem.
Prefrontal Cortex
The “Fear Center”. Part of the brain that turns on fight or flight response, freeze or fawn response, and stores memories of the event.
Amygdala
What is Stress Response System?
Weak Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus; and Strong Hippocampus and Amygdala
A mental health condition that can occur after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event.
Acute Stress Disorder
Exposure to trauma can occur through direct experience, witnessing it firsthand, learning about violent or accidental events involving close individuals, or repeated exposure to traumatic details in professional settings. Media exposure is not considered traumatic unless work-relateded.
Acute Stress Disorder
Presence of nine (or more) of the symptoms from any of the five categories of intrusion, negative mood, dissociation, avoidance, and arousal, beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred:d.
Acute Stress Disorder
Includes involuntary and distressing memories, recurrent distressing dreams, dissociative reactions like flashbacks, and intense psychological or physical distress triggered by reminders of the trauma. In children, these reactions may manifest through play or unrecognizable nightmares.
Intrusion Symptoms of ASD
Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g., inability to experience happiness, satisfaction, or loving feelings).
Negative Mood of ASD
An altered sense of the reality of one’s surroundings or oneself (e.g., seeing oneself from another’s perspective, being in a daze, time slowing).
Dissociative Symptoms of ASD
Inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event(s) (typically due to dissociative amnesia and not to other factors such as head injury, alcohol, or drugs).
Dissociative Symptoms of ASD
Efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).
Avoidance Symptoms of ASD
Efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that arouse distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).
Avoidance Symptoms of ASD
Sleep disturbance (e.g., difficulty falling or staying asleep, restless sleep); Irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no provocation), typically expressed as verbal or physical aggression toward people or objects; Hypervigilance; Problems with concentration;Exaggerated startle response
Arousal Symptoms of ASD
The essential feature of _________ is the development of characteristic symptoms lasting from 3 days to 1 month following exposure to one or more traumatic events.
Acute Stress Disorder
The full symptom picture must be present for at least 3 days after the traumatic event and can be diagnosed only up to 1 month after the event. Symptoms that occur immediately after the event but resolve in less than 3 days would not meet criteria for acute stress disorder.
Acute Stress Disorder
May contain themes that are representative of or thematically related to the major threats involved in the traumatic event.
Distressing Dreams
While dissociative responses are common during a traumatic event, only dissociative responses that persist beyond 3 days after trauma exposure are considered for the diagnosis of _________
A detached sense of oneself (e.g., seeing oneself from the other side of the room)
Depersonalization
Having a distorted view of one’s surroundings (e.g., perceiving that things are moving in slow motion, seeing things in a daze, not being aware of events that one would normally encode).
Derealization
_______ cannot be diagnosed until 3 days after a traumatic event.
Acute Stress Disorder
Short-term stress triggered by immediate demands or pressures, such as a sudden challenge or a specific event, and usually resolves quickly after the situation is over.
Acute Stress
Occurs when someone experiences frequent episodes of acute stress, often due to a high-stress lifestyle or repeated stressful situations, leading to constant tension.
Episodic Stress
Long-term, ongoing stress that persists over time, typically from enduring problems such as financial difficulties, an unhealthy relationship, or a stressful job, and can lead to significant health issues.
Chronic Stress
A temporary condition, and symptoms typically persist for at least 2 to 4 weeks after the traumatic event.
Acute Stress Disorder
Characterized by the re-experiencing of an extremely traumatic event, avoidance of stimuli associated with the event, numbing of responsiveness, and persistent increase of arousal, it usually begins 3 months to a year after the event and may last a few months or years.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
To be diagnosed with PTSD, an adult must have _____ of the following for at least 1 month:
• At least one re-experiencing symptom
• At least one avoidance symptom
• At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms
• At least two cognition and mood symptoms
all
Reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating
Flashbacks
Flashbacks, Bad Dreams and Frightening Thoughts
Re-Experiencing Symptoms of PTSD
General numbing of responsiveness – emotions are dampened or even nonexistent.
Emotional Amnesia
Being easily startled; Feeling tense or “on edge”; Having difficulty sleeping; Having angry outbursts
Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms of PTSD
Usually constant, instead of being triggered by things that remind one of the traumatic events. These symptoms can make the person feel stressed and angry. They may make it hard to do daily tasks, such as sleeping, eating, or concentrating.
Arousal Symptoms
Anexcessive fear reaction to unexpected stimuli, such as loud noises.
Exaggerated Startle Response
Trouble remembering key features of the traumatic event; Negative thoughts about oneself or the world; Distorted feelings like guilt or blame; Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
Cognition and Mood Symptoms
What Brain Areas are implicated in PTSD?
Amygdala, Pre-Frontal Cortex, Hippocampus
For PTSD usually lasts 6 to 12 weeks, but it can last longer. Research shows that support from family and friends can be an important part of recovery.
Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)
This helps people face and control their fear. It gradually exposes them to the trauma they experienced in a safe way. It uses imagining, writing, or visiting the place where the event happened. The therapist uses these tools to help people with PTSD cope with their feelings.
Exposure Therapy
This helps people make sense of the bad memories. Sometimes people remember the event differently than how it happened. They may feel guilt or shame about something that is not their fault. The therapist helps people with PTSD look at what happened in a realistic way.
Cognitive Restructuring
The goal of the treatment is to work through and resolve an unconscious conflict that the traumatic event is thought to have provoked.
Psychodynamic Therapy
The treatment of health conditions by using pharmaceutical products (drugs) as medication.
Pharmacotherapy
A type of antidepressant drug that inhibits the reabsorption of serotonin by neurons, so increasing the availability of serotonin as a neurotransmitter.
SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
Sertraline and Paroxetine
SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
These medications function by inhibiting the reuptake of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which can modulate mood, attention, and pain in individuals.
TCAs (Tricyclic Antidepressants)
Imipramine and Amitriptyline
TCAs (Tricyclic Antidepressants)
Work by blocking the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which prevents the breakdown of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and tyramine, thereby increasing their levels in the brain to improve mood and alleviate depression symptoms.
MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor)
Phenelzine, Trazodone
MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor)
Experiencing more stress than normally would be expected in response to a stressful or unexpected event, and the stress causes significant problems in relationships, at work or at school.
Adjustment Disorder
The mental and physical symptoms associated with _______ usually occur during or immediately after experiencing a stressful event.
Adjustment Disorder
While the disorder lasts no longer than six months, your symptoms may continue if the stressor isn’t removed
Adjustment Disorder
rebellious or impulsive actions, anxiousness, feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or being trapped, crying, withdrawn attitude, lack of concentration, loss of self-esteem, suicidal thoughts
Mental Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder
Insomnia, Muscle twitches or trembling, Fatigue, Body pain or soreness, Indigestion
Physical Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder
People diagnosed with this type of adjustment disorder tend to experience feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It’s also associated with crying. You may also find that you no longer enjoy activities that you did formerly.
Adjustment Disorder With Depressed Mood
Symptoms associated with this disorder include feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and worried. People with this disorder may have problems with concentration and memory.
Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety
People with this kind of adjustment disorder experience both depression and anxiety.
Adjustment Disorder With Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood
Symptoms of this type of adjustment disorder mainly involve behavioral issues like driving recklessly or starting fights. Teens with this disorder may steal or vandalize property. They might also start missing school.
Adjustment Disorder With Disturbance of Conduct
Symptoms linked to this type of adjustment disorder include depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems.
Adjustment Disorder With Mixed Disturbance of Emotions and Conduct
Those diagnosed with this disorder have symptoms that aren’t associated with the other types of adjustment disorder.
Adjustment Disorder Unspecified
Experiencing psychological or behavioral symptoms within three months of an identifiable stressor or stressors occurring in your life
Adjustment Disorder
Having more stress than would be ordinary in response to a specific stressor, or stress that causes issues with relationships, in school or at work, or experiencing both of these criteria
Adjustment Disorder
A condition where a child doesn’t form healthy emotional bonds with their caretakers (parental figures), often because of emotional neglect or abuse at an early age.
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
Most common among children who experience physical or emotional neglect or abuse.
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
A relatively rare mental health condition that typically stems from early childhood neglect or inconsistent caregivers.
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
Will appear fearless around new adults, seek attention or comfort from strangers, and often wander off with unfamiliar people.
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
The adults were not able to meet the child’s needs related to comfort, attention, or affection
Social Neglect or Deprivation
The people primarily responsible for childcare were frequently shifting or being inconsistent, like in the case of ever-changing foster care placements
Repetitive changes in caregivers
Places where the number of children far outweighed the number of adults, so the child could not form a strong attachment (e.g., institutions and residential centers with high child-to-staff ratios).
Being raised in environments with limited access to relationships
After witnessing a violent robbery, David, a 34-year-old, begins experiencing vivid flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, and a sense of numbness and detachment from reality. These symptoms began almost immediately after the robbery and have persisted for the past two weeks.
Acute Stress Disorder
Sarah, a 30-year-old woman, was involved in a severe car accident six months ago. Since then, she has experienced recurrent nightmares and flashbacks of the accident. She avoids driving or even being near cars. She startles easily, feels constantly on edge, and experiences intense fear when reminded of the accident.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
John, a 25-year-old, recently moved to a new city for a job. Although the job is well-paying, he has difficulty adjusting to the new environment. He feels anxious, irritable, and experiences occasional crying spells. These symptoms have persisted for the last three months, and his work performance has started to decline. However, his symptoms are not severe enough to be classified as a major depressive disorder.
Adjustment Disorder With Depressed Mood
Maria, a 7-year-old girl, was placed in multiple foster homes during the first 3 years of her life. She now lives with a stable family but shows little interest in engaging with her parents. She avoids physical contact, doesn’t seek comfort when she’s upset, and generally appears emotionally detached, even from people who take care of her regularly.
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
A 6-year-old child, Ben, was raised in an orphanage until he was 5 years old. After being adopted, his adoptive parents noticed that Ben seemed overly friendly with strangers. For example, when they went to the park, Ben would approach strangers, hug them, and even ask to go home with them. He showed no hesitation or fear in interacting with unknown adults.
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
