PTSD Flashcards
What is PTSD and what 4 symptoms may they experience?
PTSD is a mental health condition that people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event like car accident, sexual assault or natural disaster. It may trigger ways to defend themselves against danger such as the fight or flight response. However, people with PTSD feel stressed or frightened even when they’re not in danger.
They may:
-RE-EXPERIENCE SYMTOMS
(Flashbacks, where a person relives the trauma, physical symptoms like sweating, heart racing, nightmares), intrusive unwanted thoughts can cause them having nightmares.
in adults - the nightmare has to be related to the traumatic event but not for children there does need to be a clear connection.
-AVOIDANCE SYMPTOMS
(People may try and avoid places, events, instead of being triggered by things that remind them of that traumatic event. Nd this could even include avoiding thoughts and feelings related to traumatic event. this can impact their daily life. Paradox - the harder you try not t think about it the more it comes back.
Hypervigilance - hyperalterness, exaggerated startled response, shaking and trembling.
-REACTIVITY SYMPTOMS
(So, they feel on edge, tense, difficulty sleeping, anger outbursts)
-COGNITION AND MOOD SYMPTOMS
(have trouble remembering key aspects of the traumatic event, they may have negative thoughts about themselves or the world, losing interest in pleasurable/enjoyable activities and may have lots of guilt or blame)
People with PTSD may be detached or estranged from others and the intensity of their symptoms varies over time
When would symptoms be treated and when would they not, give an example?
This happens when someone has had one of these extreme events that are very traumatic and tend to happen in the first month after an event (acute symptoms).
A typical example, being in a road traffic accident, within the first week you may have flashbacks and images of the accident happening again in your mind, these memories may be distressing.
These feelings are normal to experience after going through something upsetting. Having increased sense of alert, being very jumpy, feeling very reactive and easily startled, anxiety, for these symptoms we usually don’t treat them, instead we’d provide support. Unless this is starting to cause impairment to a person’s function and is significant. I.e., unable to go to work, or have significant relationship with their children
What is paradox
Pradox - the harder you try not t think about it the more it comes back.
What types of behaviours are seen in adults, adolescents and children.
Anxiety, depression, anger, alcohol and drug problems, social withdrawal, engagement in criminal behaviour.
-self harm
(As a way to express inner pain, to feel physical pain over emotional pain, or a cry for help)
-eating disorders
(Another mechanism for self-harm)
-social withdrawal
(pulls them away from social support exacerbating their symptoms and other risks, feeling more lonely)
-engagement in criminal activities
(As a form of rebellion, a way to express frustration)
adolescence: alcohol and drug use
children: regressive bahviours in children like bedweeting, clingy and temper tantrums
What is the difference between regression and remission and relate to PTSD?
Remission: fully being treated of symptoms
Regression: going to back to what they were like.
eg children being clinging and having temper tantrums.
What is important to do to get the patient to talk about the traumatic event and help understand causes for their symptoms?
When treating, you must see which symptom is causing higher level of disability.
To attend to patient, you need to build a rapport with patient to help them, they need emotional help. And to get them to talk about their trauma, you won’t be able to unless you establish trust. That’s why it’s important to go step-by-step. They may not feel safe in clinical room, but if they feel like this person is listening to them, they feel more trusting of that person and that can take time
Which symptoms apply to both depression and stress?
-low energy
-sleep problems
-anxious or irritable mood
-difficulties in carrying out work
What are the group of health workers that provide support in the aftermath of the traumatic event and what is their role.
(psychological first aid) Humane way of responding to someone experiencing distress. PFA provide immediate, compassionate support in aftermath to TE, meeting their needs, offering support, reducing stress in moment. They aim to establish safety, helping them feel emotionally and physically safe. Listening to them without pressuring them to talk. And also help connect them with other appropriate social services like domestic abuse service
What is the consequence of these individuals not getting help?
If they don’t get the support they need, other life necessities may be comprised like physical health, education
What is the 6 step problem solving for traumatic events?
If they don’t get the support they need, other life necessities may be comprised like physical health, education
-identify the problem
-analyse the problem
-identify possible solutions
-plan the solution
-implement the solution
-evaluate the solution
how can stress management be helpful?
health care providers may have time to trian people in breathing exercises (deep breathing), muscle relaxation, yoga/ meditation/ mindfulness
Why is social support beneficial and why can it be challenging in those with PTSD?
Benefits:
-get the support needed to help with dealing wiht tramatic event memeories
-providing outlets such as deep breathing, other ways to cope
-other necessary services related to their TE
challenging:
One important feature of individuals suffering with PTSD, is that with avoidance, they may start to lose connections with social network like friends and family. The longer the spend time detaching themselves, the harder it will be to keep those social connections
Is medication normally given and when should it be given?
Medications are not really given. Look for others reasons for sleep disturbances
Benzodiazepines can be given - but only short term because can cause tolerance and withdrawal.
Benzodiazepines, are psychoactive drugs, known for their sedative sleep inducing, anxiolytics (anxiety-reducing), anticonvulsant (epileptic fit treatment), and muscle relaxant properties. Enhancing effect of GABA and GABA A receptor, resulting in calming effect on brain and nerves. Can be used to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, panic disorders. But its associated with dependence and withdrawal symptoms
What is the management of PTSD/biopyschosocial model?
-education for PTSD - psych-education Provides individuals with information about the disorder, helping them comprehend their symptoms, teaching them coping strategies to manage symptoms. Increasing their knowledge about the disorder can increase their awareness about treatments and services available.
Understanding (reduces stigma and blame, make it less overwhelming to families and suffers)
Recognising symptoms (can hep them recognise the effects its having on their lives)
Treatment option awareness (can help them make more informed decision of the care)
Coping strategies (deep breathing, muscle relation, mindfulness can help with insomnia, healthy diet, stress management to reduce anxiety)
Preventing relapse (teaches them to recognise symptoms early of worsening, and steps to take)
Support systems (can motivate to seek and maintain connections with others)
-stress management
-referal to CBT - changing their negative irrational beliefs and make them feel more positive.
-antidepressants - they only have a small effect, they only work a little better than placebo. considered when the other managements are not effective. This is not the first line of treatment. in children andadolscenects medication is never given.
-strength coping mechanisms and social support
