PTSD

Question 1

What is PTSD(post traumatic stress disorder)?

Answer 1

a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, characterized by avoidance, arousal, and intrusion symptoms (e.g., flashbacks, nightmares).

Question 2

What is SUD (substance use disorder)?

Answer 2

A condition involving the recurrent use of substances like alcohol or drugs, leading to significant impairment in daily functioning.

Question 3

Who are Public Safety Personnel (PSP)?

Answer 3

Individuals in high-risk occupations, such as police officers or firefighters, often exposed to trauma, making them vulnerable to PTSD and SUD.

Question 4

What percentage of PSP suffer from PTSD?

prevalence and risk factors

Answer 4

21.3% of PSP experience PTSD.

Question 5

How much more likely are PSP to develop SUD compared to the general population?

prevalence and risk factors

Answer 5

SP are 4x more likely to develop SUD.

Question 6

What types of critical incidents increase the risk of PTSD and SUD in PSP?

prevalence and risk factors

Answer 6

Exposure to violence, injury, or death incidents (VIDs), such as physical assault or confronting mutilated bodies.

Question 7

What does the Self-Medication Theory suggest?

• Etiological Explanations*

Answer 7

PTSD symptoms like avoidance, arousal, and intrusion may lead individuals to use substances to alleviate their distress.

Question 8

Provide an example of self-medication.

• Etiological Explanations*

Answer 8

A firefighter using alcohol to manage hyperarousal symptoms like irritability or difficulty sleeping.

Question 9

What is the High-Risk Hypothesis?

• Etiological Explanations*

Answer 9

Substance use increases engagement in risky behaviors, heightening exposure to trauma.

Question 10

What is the Susceptibility Hypothesis?

• Etiological Explanations*

Answer 10

SUD heightens anxiety and withdrawal symptoms, increasing the likelihood of developing PTSD after trauma.

Question 11

What are the two factors in the Shared Liability Model?

• Etiological Explanations*

Answer 11

Internalizing: Stress directed inward, leading to anxiety or depression.

Externalizing: Stress directed outward, causing aggression or impulsivity.

Question 12

What are two indirect variables contributing to PTSD and SUD co-morbidity?

Indirect Variables

Answer 12

Childhood trauma and lack of social support.

Question 13

How does childhood trauma impact SUD risk?

Indirect Variables

Answer 13

Physical or sexual abuse increases SUD risk by 3x, and the type of trauma may influence substance choice (e.g., physical abuse linked to alcohol; sexual abuse linked to cocaine).

Question 14

Why is social support important?

Indirect Variables

Answer 14

It serves as a protective factor, helping individuals cope with PTSD and SUD.

Question 15

What are the two major implications of co-morbid PTSD and SUD?

Implications

Answer 15

Mental health stigmatization and suicide risk.

Question 16

How does stigma affect PSP?

Implications

Answer 16

Stigma deters individuals from seeking help due to fears of public judgment, self-labeling, or career impact.

Question 17

Why are PSP at higher suicide risk?

Implications

Answer 17

Factors include lack of social support, sleep disturbances, and access to lethal means.

Question 18

Treatment Models

Answer 18

What is the Sequential Model of Treatment?
A: SUD is treated first, and PTSD treatment is deferred until abstinence is achieved.

Q: What are the drawbacks of the Sequential Model?
A: Deferring PTSD treatment can increase relapse rates; evidence supporting this model is limited.

Q: What is the Integrated Model of Treatment?
A: Treats PTSD and SUD concurrently through either non-exposure or exposure-based methods.

Q: What is an example of exposure-based treatment?
A: Prolonged exposure techniques in therapy to normalize trauma reactions and reduce PTSD symptoms.

Example: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals manage cravings while addressing trauma memories.

Question 19

Future Directions

Answer 19

What are key future directions for addressing PTSD and SUD?
A:

Developing critical incident stress management programs for PSP.

Researching integrated treatments across PSP categories.

Creating psychoeducation strategies to reduce suicide risks.

Example: Training PSP to handle operational stress injuries and building resilience through education.