PTSD

Question 1

What are type 1 and type 2 trauma

Answer 1

type 1: single event (disaster)

Type 2: ongoing, repetitive (sexual abuse)

type 2 is more likely to lead to PTSD

Question 2

explain the neurobiology of response to threat

Answer 2

Shift in activation from prefrontal to midbrain superior colliculi and periaqueductal grey matter

PTSD is the defficiency of top down modulation of amygdala activation

Question 3

describe the anatomical origin of anxiety and fear and give autonomic and motor symptoms

Answer 3

midbrain origin, thought to be in periaqueductal grey matter

tonic immobility

• rigidity, paralysis
• decreased vocalisation
• chills
• unresponsive to pain

Question 4

What role does cortisol play in stress

Answer 4

increased acutely in stress, acts by negative feedback on pituitary, hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala

Question 5

what are cortisol levels like in PTSD

Answer 5

low. repeated trauma can cause lower serum cortisol

Question 6

Give some physiological changes after trauma

Answer 6

depression/grief
panic attacks / agoraphobia
alcohol / drug depenance
PTSD

Question 7

give some signs/symptoms of PTSD

Answer 7

nightmares, flashbacks, distress from reminders, detachment, avoidance of thinking or talking about event, emotional numbing, apathy, GUILT

Question 8

what are two physical findings in PTSD

Answer 8

hippocampal atrophy

increased activity of amygdala

Question 9

how do you manage PTSD

Answer 9

CBT

EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing)