PTSD Flashcards
What is PTSD?
A condition that may develop following a traumatic event. It can be immediate or delayed
What are the four groups of symptoms in PTSD?
Intrusion symptoms
Avoidance
Negative alterations in cognition and mood
Alterations in arousal and reactivity
How long must symptoms have been present for in PTSD?
1 month - they must also cause a functional impairment
What are examples of intrusion symptoms?
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Repetitive intrusive images
What are examples of avoidance symptoms?
Avoiding people, situation or circumstances resembling or associated with the event
What are examples of hyper arousal symptoms?
Hyper-vigilance for threat
Sleep problems
Irritability
Exaggerated startle response
Difficulty concentrating
What are the risk factors for PTSD?
Exposure to extreme traumatic stressors
- Acts of violence
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Military action
- Accidents
- Disaster
People who have experienced a threat to their own life in medical care
Low social support
History of mental health problems
History or drug or alcohol abuse
What conditions are frequently comorbid with PTSD?
Anxiety
Depression
Drug and alcohol misuse
What scales are used in the diagnosis of PTSD?
PTSD checklist (DSM-5)
Trauma screening questionnaire
Posttraumatic diagnostic scale
International trauma questionnaire
What are the differentials of PTSD?
Depression
Anxiety
Specific phobias
Panic disorder
Adjustment disorder
Dissociative disorders
OCD
Psychosis
What is the first line management of PTSD?
For cases under 4 weeks - watchful waiting
For cases over 4 weeks
- Trauma focused CBT
What other form of therapy may be used first line in PTSD?
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing
What is eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing?
A therapy that uses eye movements to change the way that the memory is stored in the brain, reducing problematic symptoms
What is the first line pharmacological management of PTSD?
Venlafaxine or an SSRI such as sertraline
