MPCE-11, BLOCK-02, UNIT-03, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Question 1

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Answer 1

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) describes a collection of symptoms and experiences that an individual develops after exposure to a traumatic event or multiple events.

Question 2

Reasons of PTSD

Answer 2

genetically vulnerable individuals who have been exposed to environmental factors (i.e. the traumatic events).

Question 3

Risk factors that make people vulnerable to PTSD

Answer 3

Risk factors for PTSD can be divided into:

1. Those related to the traumatic event.

● Work that has exposure to a traumatic events:

Ex: working in war zones

●Type of traumatic event:
Higher rates of PTSD
-Rape
-Physical

●The severity of the incident:

The more severe the incident and the greater the threat to life, the higher the chance of PTSD.

●Multiple traumas or previous experience of trauma.

2. Those unrelated to the traumatic event.

These include:
●Female sex
●Younger age
●Low social support
●History of mental health disorder
●Multiple major life stressors

Question 4

Clinical features & diagnosis of PTSD

Answer 4

Criterion 1: Traumatic event.
Criterion 2: Intrusive re-experiencing symptoms.
Criterion 3: Avoidant symptoms.
Criterion 4: Negative cognitions and mood.
Criterion 5: Arousal and reactivity changes.

Question 5

Describe 1st Criterion, Exposure to Traumatic Event that cover the typical clinical features of PTSD

Answer 5

A-E that cover the typical clinical features that a person may be experiencing.

Criterion 1: Traumatic event.

1. Directly experiencing the trauma.
   Witnessing the traumatic events occur to others (in person).
2. Learning that the traumatic events occurred to others (close family member or friend).
3. Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to unpleasant details of the traumatic event (for example first responders to a road traffic accident)

● Examples of traumatic events that may lead to the development of PTSD and suggest that these are specifically asked about:

-Serious accidents
-Physical and sexual assault
-Abuse (including childhood or domestic abuse)
-Work-related exposure to trauma (including remote exposure)
-Trauma-related to serious health problems or childbirth experiences (e.g. intensive care admission or neonatal death)
-War and conflict
-Torture

Question 6

Describe Criterion 2: Intrusion symptoms or re-experiencing of PTSD

Answer 6

Criterion 2:

• Individual re-experiencing the traumatic event after it has occurred.

-Memories that are recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive.
-Dreams/nightmares that are recurrent and distressing.
-Flashbacks or dissociative reactions in which the individual feels or behaves as though the traumatic event is recurring.
-Psychological distress is in response to things that remind the person of the trauma.
-Physiological reactions in response to things that remind the person of the trauma (for example fight or flight bodily reactions).

Question 7

Describe Criterion 3: Avoidance of reminders of PTSD.

Answer 7

This refers to avoiding internal or external reminders of that tragic incident.

1. Internal reminders:
   -Avoidance of distressing
   •Memories
   •Thoughts
   •Feelings
2. External reminders:
   -Avoidance of
   •People
   •Places
   •Conversations
   •Activities
   •Objects
   Situations that remind the individual of the traumatic event.

Question 8

Describe Criterion 4: Negative changes in mood and thoughts of PTSD

Answer 8

(2 or more should be present)

1. Amnesia: unable to recall key features of the traumatic event.
2. Negative beliefs & expectations about oneself, others, or the world.

3.Exaggerated blame of oneself or others for causing the trauma.

4.Persistent negative emotional state: this may be shame, guilt, low mood, fear, or anger.

5. Difficulty experiencing positive emotions.
   6.Loss of interest in activities.
   7.Feeling isolated from others.

Question 9

Describe Criterion 5: Hyperarousal, hyperreactivity or hypervigilance of PTSD.

Answer 9

(2 or more must be present)

1. Irritability or aggression (often in response to minor stimuli).
2. Reckless or self-destructive behaviour.
3. Hypervigilance to perceived threats.

4.Exaggerated startle response to stimuli such as loud noises.

5. Difficulty concentrating.

6.Sleep disturbance: often difficulty falling asleep or broken sleep.

Question 10

Diagnosis of PTSD

Answer 10

1.
Criterion A: Traumatic event
Criterion B: Intrusive symptoms
Criterion C: Avoidant symptoms
Criterion D: Negative cognitions and mood
Criterion E: Arousal and reactivity changes

2. Formal diagnosis of PTSD the above symptoms must be present for at least one month.
3. The individual must have significant distress or functional impairment (e.g. social, occupational, or other important aspects of functioning).
4. The symptoms cannot be better explained by another illness, substance use, or medication.