PTSD Flashcards
key characteristic of PTSD
occurrence of preceding traumatic event which symptoms are related to or in the context of
main criteria for PTSD
person exposed to actual/threatened death, serious infjury, sexual violence in follwoing ways
- direct expsoure
-witnessing trauma
- learning a close other was exposed to trauma
- indirect exposure in course of profession
most common triggers for men
military trauma
most common triggers for women
rape
intrusion criteria for PSTD
unwanted memories, nightmares, flashbacks, distress, physical reactivity when exposed to reminders
avoidance criteria for PTSD
avoiding places, people, thoughts, feelings that remind them of the event
- interferes with functioning in a way that is important to them
negative mood and cognitive problems for PTSD
recall failures (blackouts)
detachment
anhedonia
lack of interest in activity
distrust of others
blame of self or others
negative affect
increased arousal and reactivity for PTSD
hyper vigilance
startle response
irritability
poor concentration
difficulty sleeping
self destructive behaviour
how long must symptoms occur for diagnosis
1 month minimum
pstd comorbidity
high comorbidity
93% have another disorder
66% have anxiety disorder
sex differences and PTSD
women 2x more likely to develop PTSD
trauma and PTSD
more trauma/higher degree of trauma - more chance of PTSD
risk factors of PTSD
fear conditioning
amygdala reactivity (excessive)
attentional bias to threat
neuroticism
prominent psych model of PTSD
2 factor theory
- fear must come from somewhere
- challenge of healing comes from avoidance and safety behaviours which prevent fear extinction
neurobiology of PTSD - amygdala and PFC
overactive amygdala makes afraid and determines reactions
PFC is under-active in mitigating this
