PTSD Flashcards
What is PTSD?
Intense, delayed, prolonged reaction to stressful stimulus. Event is likely to cause pervasive distress in anyone and usually involves threat to self.
What is the aetiology of PTSD?
Traumatic event (i.e. rape, death, war, torture). May be due to:
· Event challenges held beliefs, resulting in inability to cognitively rationalise
· May be due to normal processing of emotionally charged information leading to overwhelming feeling and memories.
· Negative appraisal of intrusive thoughts, leading to lack of processing and therefore maintaining symptoms over time.
Between 10 and 25% of those exposed to stress event develop PTSD. Subjective meaning of event is one of the most important factors for development.
What is the epidemiology of PTSD?
Higher risk if childhood trauma, PD, support system, recent stressful events, female, low SES, past psych hx. Lifetime incidence 1-3%. War veterans 30%.
What would you find in the history and exam of PTSD?
Within 3 months: onset of hyperarousal, intrusions and avoidance.
O/E: neglect, depression, anxiety, hypervigilant, poor eye contact, tearful, slow speech, low mood, poor concentration
What are the investigations of PTSD?
FBC, UE, LFT, Ca, TFT.
What is in the management of PTSD?
Screen for comorbidities, Risk assessment for suicide. CBT, challenging dysfuncitonal thoughts and talking. Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (recall event). SSRI.
What are the complications and prognosis of PTSD?
Social withdrawal, suicide, alcohol and drug use. Half make good recovery in 1y, rest may have lifelong sx.
What are symptoms of hyperarousal?
· Persistent anxiety
· Hypervigilance
· Poor concentration
· Insomnia
· Irritability
· Exagerated startle
What are symptoms of Intrusions?
· Flashback
· Nightmare
· Vivid memories
· Frequent thought of incident
What are symptoms of avoidance?
· Avoid reminders
· Unable to recall details
· Poor interest
· Emotional detachment
· Avoids talking about it
