PTSD

Question 1

What is PTSD?

Answer 1

condition marked by the development of symptoms after exposure to traumatic events

Question 2

what is the criteria for PTSD?

Answer 2

1. Lasting for more than one (1) month after event
2. Significantly affecting important life areas
3. Arising from war, torture, natural catastrophes, physical violence, accidents

Question 3

what are sy’s of PTSD?

Answer 3

1. traumatic event is persistently re-experienced
2. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma
3. numbing of general responsiveness

Question 4

How does PTSD affect arousal?

Answer 4

Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Irritability or outbursts of anger
Difficulty concentrating
Hypervigilence: always ready to respond/aware of surroundings
Exaggerated startle response

Question 5

what is the onset for increased arousal in PTSD?

Answer 5

Acute: less than 3 months
Chronic: greater than 3 months
Delayed: more than 6 months after stressors

Question 6

what are the comorbidities of PTSD?

Answer 6

2/3rds have at least 2 other disorders
Depression
Substance related 
Other anxiety 
Bipolar

Question 7

what are the predisposal vulnerability factors of PTSD?

Answer 7

childhood trauma
Inadequate family or peer support
Being female
Genetic vulnerability to psychiatric illness
Recent stressful life changes
Recent excessive alcohol intake

Question 8

what are the biological factors of PTSD?

Answer 8

Neurotransmitter systems
Norepinephrine, dopamine, opioid systems 
Glucocorticoid receptors
Benzodiazepine receptors
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

Question 9

what are the psychological factors of PTSD?

Answer 9

flashbacks: Trauma reactivates a previously quiescent and unresolved psychological conflict

Question 10

what tx’s prevent flashbacks?

Answer 10

Virtual reality helping work through stress
Reintegration into activities
Routines