PTSD Flashcards
What are trauma and stressor-related disorders in the DSM-5?
Exposure to a traumatic or stressful event is listed explicitly as a diagnostic criterion.
What is an essential feature of PTSD?
Development of characteristic symptoms following exposure to one or more traumatic events
What is adaptive about PTSD?
- Amygdala hypersensitive
- Prefrontal cortex activity reduced (ineffectively inhibits amygdala)
- Hypervigilance, Intrusion symptoms, Avoidance of stimuli associated with trauma, Cognitive distortions
Structural anatomical findings in PTSD?
-Reduced volume of hippocampus, ventrical medial prefrontal cortex
-Less cells less inhibition of the amygdala
-Hippocampus can’t use cues to signal safety (less cells in the hippocampus means that you can’t detach feelings to an environment)
Functional anatomical difference in PTSD?
- Exaggerated amygdala activation in response to trauma-related stimuli as well as generic stimuli
- A traumatic event serves as an unconditioned stimulus that becomes paired with stimuli associated with the trauma
What is important to remember about PSTD symptoms?
-Different symptoms have different signaling in the brain ***
Neurobiological differences in PTSD?
PTSD patients show enhanced stress activation – both SAM and HPA pathways.
What is the biomarker of PSTD?
Dysregulated signaling of noradrenalin considered biomarker of PTSD.
What is the pharmacological treatment of PSTD?
Administration of propranolol (a beta-receptor antagonist prevents binding of noradrenaline) within hours following trauma exposure reduces likelihood of developing PTSD. (controversial)
What about cannabis?
PTSD patients have higher numbers of cannabinoid receptors & lower levels of endocannabinoids. Self Medication?
How does each type of cannabis effect?
Smoking cannabis (high levels of THC) is associated with worsening PTSD symptoms whereas cannabidiol (CBD) may effectively decrease symptomS
