Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Flashcards
When can PTSD occur?
At any age
What is the charactistic feature of PTSD?
exposure to a traumatic event - defined as exposure to or actually experiencing threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.
Exposure to or actually experiencing threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence must happen in one of the following ways
Direct experience
Witnessing in real life
Learning of a traumatic event happening to a loved one
Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of traumatic event.
One or more of the following intrusive symtoms must have occurred or been associated with the traumatic event…
Intrusive memories of the event
Frightening dreams about the event
Dissociative reactions (flashbacks)
Intense psychological distress
Physiological distress
Negative changes in thoughts and mood including 2 or more of the following
unable to remember important aspects of the event
persistent negative beliefs about oneself
distorted cognitions about the cause or consequence of the trauma
persistent negative motional state
lack of interest in activities
feeling detached from others
unable to experience pleasure or positive emotions
Alterations in arousal responses after the traumatic event as noted by 2 or more of the following…
irratibily or angry outbursts
self-destructive behavior
hyper vigilance
exaggerated startle response
problems concentrating
sleep disturbances
What are preferred therapist characteristics ?
Active role, goal oriented, skills based and time limited
Establish rogerian conditions of warmth, positive regard, empathy and consistency to build client’s trust
Validate the client’s experience (acknolowdge fear and vulnerability and comment on resilience and strength.)
Particualry prone to developing vicurous trauma
What are some EBP to use when treating PTSD?
exposure therapy
Cognitive processing therapy
anxiety management therapy
EMDR
What is exposure therapy?
activate the fear memory while providing new information that is incompatible with the fear so that new learning results
Clients establish fear hierarchy and focus on feared cues for 45 minutes
Exposure may involve in vivo, guided imagery or VR
What is Cognitive Processing Therapy?
Developed for survivors of sexual assault.
Exposure is combined with anxiety management training and cognitive restructuring to help clients alter disrupted cognitions
Ct’s write about the trauma, and read to the therapist who facilitates understanding, exploration of response, and emotional expression
Ct’s read to themselves daily to habituate themselves and increase understanding
What is anxiety management Therapy?
goal is to modify memories associated with fear.
combines activation of traumatic memories with skills known to reduce anxiety such as relaxation techniques, breath retraining, and cognitive restructuring
What type of medication is used for PTSD treatment?
SSRI’s, Beta blockers, anti psychotic drugs and anti convulsants
The FDA has approved SSRI’s to treat
Prognosis of PTSD..
50% will have complete recovery within 3 months
good coping skills, supportive family and seeking treatment soon after trauma will promote good outcomes
not as good with late onset or co-occurring disorders
