PTSD

Question 1

What can cause PTSD?

Answer 1

Any event that the individual finds traumatic e.g.

• Violence
• Major car accident
• Major health events
• Natural disasters
• Military events

Question 2

How does PTSD present?

Answer 2

Core symptoms
Flashbacks
Hyperarousal (feeling on edge)
Avoidance of triggers

Other symptoms
Re-experiencing
Negative emotions
Negative beliefs
Sleep difficulty
Depersonalisation (feeling separated on detached)
Derealisation (feeling the world around them is not real)
Emotional numbing

Question 3

How is PTSD diagnosed?

Answer 3

Trauma Screening Questionnaire
Used as screening prompting referral for further assessment

International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11)

Question 4

How is PTSD managed?

Answer 4

• Psychological therapy (trauma-focused CBT)
• Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Medication (SSRIs, venlafaxine)

Question 5

What is eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)?

Answer 5

Processing traumatic memories while performing specific eye movements

Improperly stored traumatic memories are reprocessed and stored again in a more normal way

No longer causes as much negative emotion and distress